Creepy Office: Using speculative design methods to explore privacy, security and ethical considerations for connected workplaces

About the Project

Project Description

Background

Our workplaces are becoming increasingly connected. While this enables remote work and can improve accessibility, it can also introduce potential issues related to workplace surveillance. Software used for employee monitoring (“bossware”) is often presented in terms of its benefits to the workers, teams and organisations, with its side effects and negative consequences often overlooked. As a result, people often do not realise the impact of such tools and their (lack of) compliance with workplace regulations and legislation. However, making such technologies explicitly creepycould serve as a starting point to reflection on the role and impact of bossware, and could help to create education tools to promote workers’ rights.

Aims

This Human-Computer Interaction project aims to understand what makes Bossware “creepy” and how that creepiness could be used as a starting point for developing more ethical workplace technologies.

Methods

The project will include the use of creative and speculative research methods to develop a set of provocations and design fictions that make creepiness of Bossware features explicit through visual design, specific features or interaction methods. The candidate would also be expected to use qualitative and co-design methods to evaluate and gather feedback.

Deliverables

The project will result in a set of “creepy workplace” prototypes and resources (e.g. educational tools, training materials) that could be used to promote employee rights within the workplace and reduce the negative impacts of Bossware.

Keywords

Speculative design, Workplace monitoring, Bossware, Human-Computer Interaction, Design Fictions, Provocations

How to Apply

This project is accepting applications all year round, for self-funded candidates.

Mode of Study: Full-time or part-time

Please submit your application via Computer Science and Informatics - Study - Cardiff University

In the funding field of your application, indicate “I am applying for a self-funded PhD in Computer Science and Informatics”, and specify the project title and supervisors of this project in the text box provided.

Academic criteria: A 2:1 Honours undergraduate degree or a master's degree, in computing or a related subject. Applicants with appropriate professional experience are also considered. Degree-level mathematics (or equivalent) is required for research in some project areas.

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency. Students who do not have English as a first language must prove this by obtaining an IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each skills component. A full list of accepted qualifications is available here: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements/postgraduate

If you are interested, please contact Dr Carla Perez Almendros (perezalmendrosc@cardiff.ac.uk) sending your CV in the first instance. The application process requires you to develop an individual research proposal jointly with the supervision team, which builds on the information provided in this advert.

Once you have developed the proposal with support from the supervisors, please submit your application following the instructions provided below.

Please submit your application via Computer Science and Informatics - Study - Cardiff University

In order to be considered candidates must submit the following information:

• In the ‘Research Proposal’ section of the application enter the name of the project you are applying to and upload your Individual research proposal. Your research proposal should not exceed 2000 words, including references and bibliography.
• A personal statement (as part of the university application form, or as a separate attachment, if you prefer).
• A CV. Guidance on CVs for a PhD position can be found on the FindAPhD website.
• Qualification certificates and Transcripts - original and English translation, if applicable.
• References x 2 which should be academic references. Please note you need to provide the reference documents as part of your application.
• Proof of English language (if applicable).

Interview– If the application meets all ofthe entrance requirements listed above, you will be invited to an interview.

Funding Notes

This project is offered for self-funded students only, or those with their own sponsorship or scholarship award. Where applicable, candidates will be required to cover the cost of a student visa, the healthcare surcharge, and any other costs of moving to the UK to study. These costs will not be covered by the School of Computer Science and Informatics.