Supporting Shy Users in Pervasive Computing

An EPSRC funded research project on the WINES programme, undertaken by the departments of Informatics and Sociology at the University of Sussex. Grant reference number EP/F064330/1.

Pervasive computing gives rise to new forms of interaction which make users feel shy: concerned about how they are perceived when performing in social interaction, and about what data are being collected about them in the process. This project focuses on exploring an awareness of the situations which give rise to these feelings; how presentation and feedback through the available technology can be mediated to manage these issues; and how users can manage the connection between situation and mediation. The project is formed from three parallel threads of study using classrooms, social and situated groups, and public artworks as their focus. In each case the study will be inter-disciplinary, combining the approaches and skills of three groups at Sussex: sociologists, interaction (HCI/CSCW/social software) and software systems.

The project started in October 2008, running for 3 years.