UCLIC Seminar, 13 November 2024. Ann Blandford

Описание: *Summary of the Talk: "Designing novel technologies for managing complex health conditions"*

On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Ann Blandford from University College London delivered an insightful seminar titled *"Designing novel technologies for managing complex health conditions"*. The seminar took place in Room G.01 at 66-72 Gower Street, with online participation via Zoom.



Key Takeaways:

-**Ethical Principles in Design**: Blandford emphasized the crucial role of ethical principles, such as autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice, in guiding the design of mental health technologies.

-**The Risks of Self-Diagnosis**: She raised concerns about the potential dangers of technologies that offer mental health diagnoses without clinical oversight, stressing the importance of professional guidance.

-**The Role of Ambiguity in Design**: Blandford discussed the delicate balance between ambiguity and clarity in user feedback. While ambiguity can encourage deeper reflection on emotions, it must be carefully managed to avoid confusion and distress, especially for vulnerable users.

-**Long-Term User Engagement**: The seminar highlighted the importance of designing for long-term user engagement. Mental health technologies often require sustained use to be effective, and designers must consider how to maintain user interest and motivation over time.

-**The Future of Smart Materials**: Blandford expressed enthusiasm about the potential of smart materials to create innovative and personalized experiences for emotional regulation. However, she also emphasized the need for careful design and ethical considerations to ensure that these technologies are used responsibly.

Conclusion:
By addressing these ethical challenges and considering the long-term impact of mental health technologies, designers can create tools that empower individuals to better understand and manage their emotions.