Keynote Speakers

Alvin Yeo

Dr. Alvin Yeo is actively involved in industry and community engagement at the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences (CMS), University of Waikato, New Zealand where he earned his Bachelor of CMS and PhD in HCI. How he engages and interacts with Indigenous communities, was shaped by collaborating with his multidisciplinary (notably his Social Science and IT) colleagues, and community partners in Sarawak (specifically, the Kelabit and Penan Indigenous communities) and continues to be influenced by the local champions from Te Whakatōhea Iwi. Before his current stint in New Zealand, Alvin was a Professor and the founding Director of the Institute of Social Informatics and Technological Innovations, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. Alvin’s current interests include community-engaged learning, leveraging technology for good, and work-integrated learning. He is an Honorary Member of myHCI-UX.

Keynote 1 (9:15-10 p.m)
Towards Humanity-Centred Design: Harnessing Community-engaged Learning for Social Impact 

This keynote address will explore the potential of Community Engaged Learning (CEL) employing HCI approaches to address challenges faced by Indigenous communities. It will delve into the strategic positioning of CEL as a collaborative approach to deliver co-designed solutions. The address will showcase ICT for development projects involving CEL in Malaysian Borneo, highlighting initiatives with communities such as the Penans (Long Lamai), the Kelabits (Bario), and the Ibans (Bawang Assan). Drawing on lessons learned from these Malaysian projects, the keynote will discuss how to navigate similar engagements, as exemplified by the collaboration with the Whakatōhea Iwi (Māori tribe) in Aotearoa New Zealand; specifically, the application of CEL and HCI approaches in cultural preservation projects. The address will also provide insights on scaling up, expanding participation and mitigating challenges. A case study will demonstrate how CEL can be integrated into academic programs which benefit all stakeholders, including students, academics, universities, and the Indigenous communities. These initiatives foster deeper relationships, encourage cross-cultural learning, and facilitate professional development for researchers and the community, ultimately cultivating human capital for humanity-centered design initiative


Josh (Adi Tedjasaputra)

Josh (Adi Tedjasaputra, M.Sc) has a strong background in software development and a proven track record of delivering cutting-edge solutions. Highly accomplished and innovative technology leader with a passion for harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning to drive business growth, Josh excels in fast-paced and dynamic environments. 

As a seasoned expert in AI strategy and implementation, Josh has successfully led cross-functional teams and collaborated with stakeholders to drive digital transformation initiatives. His expertise spans AI, ML, data analytics, and cloud computing, with a focus on developing scalable and sustainable solutions. 

Dedicated to staying at the forefront of technological advancements, Josh is committed to continuous learning and knowledge sharing. With a strong professional network and a reputation for excellence, Josh is a sought-after thought leader and advisor in the tech industry

Keynote 2 (11:15 a.m -12:00 p.m)
AI as a Collaborative Partner in Participatory Design: Redefining Agency and Ethics

Participatory Design (PD) has continually evolved to include various stakeholders in creating technological systems. Initially rooted in the Scandinavian labour movements, PD aims to empower individuals and influence the technologies that shape their environments. This commitment to empowerment has been central to encouraging active participation and giving people a voice in design. Over time, PD practices have also incorporated technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI).

In this presentation, Josh will outline the potential of AI to play an active role as a collaborator and co-designer in the PD process. This role may include a decision-making process traditionally made by human stakeholders. This shift brings new opportunities and challenges, requiring a reassessment of the PD framework's participation, agency, and ethics concepts. While it is inevitable that these evolving technologies influence the practice of PD, we need to start asking questions about how we might maintain PD’s core principles of democratic involvement and shared decision-making.

Lenneke Kuijer

Dr. Lenneke Kuijer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial Design at Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands. She is a multi-disciplinary design researcher working at the touching points of Science and Technology Studies and Human-Computer Interaction. Her research focuses on understanding relations between technological innovation and the environmental impacts of everyday life and translating knowledge about these relations into practical design exemplars and approaches to lower these impacts. Kuijer is co-chair of the Social Change beyond Consumerism Future Earth working group and co-lead of the Energy Transition in the Built Environment focus area of the Eindhoven Institute for Renewable Energy Systems. 

Keynote 3 (1-1:45 p.m)
A Short History of and Critical Reflection on Sustainable HCI: Bridging Europe and Asia

Environmental crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss, resource depletion and growing inequalities have been recognized as pressing problems by many research disciplines, including Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). This talk will offer an overview of the type of discourses, research questions and design approaches that have emerged in HCI in response to these crises. Further, the talk will highlight the critiques that these responses have received, within and beyond the field, and reflect on possible steps forward. While the examples offered make links between Asia and Western Europe, the perspective offered remains largely Euro-centred. The talk invites discussion on how Western and Asian perspectives might fruitfully build on each other in the future.