Centres, groups and units Multispecies Interaction Design Research Group Research and knowledge exchange

Multispecies Interaction Design encompasses the design and development of systems, tools and experiences for all kinds of animals, including humans. It seeks to deploy critical practice-based methods, rooted in multispecies curiosity and animal-centred design to consider how best to use technology to support a healthy and sustainable global environment. The field was energised by the need to design accessible, usable and enjoyable experiences for people and animals with a range of capabilities, requiring different functions and in different contexts.

Although recent developments have enabled new kinds of interfaces to emerge, the starting point for the designer of any system remains the same – to fully understand stakeholder requirements. This is a critical first step, so that the design is fit for purpose. Extending our design practice to other species causes us to reflect upon their unique ways of interacting with world, their alternative senses and capabilities, and their specific needs. This can make us more aware of our impact on non-humans and their ecologies, while also offering insights and opportunities for new research.

The Multispecies Interaction Design research group was established in 2021, comprising colleagues and students who brought with them a diverse mix of skills, ideas and perspectives. Animal-Computer Interaction, Animal Centred Computing and Biohybrid Systems are some of the exciting new fields that have emerged as a result of human interest in the intersections between humans, animals and technology. Technology can provide benefits in every field, so the computing experts who design and build it need to work with the subject-specific experts who want to deploy it and the users who want to enjoy it. We’re committed to developing partnerships and collaborative design practices across disciplines and with the wider community, tackling interesting challenges with integrity and empathy.

Core values:

1. Ecological awareness – to produce environmentally friendly design.
2. Inclusivity – to develop a more-than-human design perspective.
3. Sustainability – to design for the future.
4. Partnership – to find effective ways of collaborating with others through design, to improve the lives of all.
5. Transparency – to promote equitable and open technology by sharing methods, data, ethical perspectives, connections and decision-making processes.

Themes:

1. Games
2. Education
3. Healthcare
4. AI
5. Music
6. Animal welfare
7. Environmental enrichment
8. XR
9. Robotics
10. Science
11. Theatre and art

We are currently working on projects to investigate acoustic enrichment for elephants, develop facial rehabilitation systems for humans, support the welfare of nocturnal species, explore the use of AI in User Experience Design, actively encourage citizenship and promote species-inclusive design practices. Members’ specialisms include Animal-Computer Interaction, Artificial Intelligence, Music Technology, Molecular Biology, UX, Electronics, Computer Vision, Education, 3D Modelling and Game Development.

We’re always interested in hearing from potential students, researchers and collaborators, so please browse the site and feel free to reach out! Contact Dr Fiona French.