Human Centred Technology Workshop in Brighton

I am going to the 8th Human Centred Technology Postgraduate Workshop in Brighton, June 28th -29th 2005. The theme is "Advancing the Potential for Communication, Learning and Interaction" and I will be presenting my paper "Communication and Interaction via Touch - Examine the User Before you Reproduce his Hand!".

Abstract excerpt:
"While continually innovating technology, the main research focuses of the Haptics community concerning the user are his psychophysical and neurological processes. My contribution is to introduce an investigation of the cultural context of touch. I am interested in the meanings we ascribe to different types of touch. I explore this field with the help of low-tech prototypes and social science and art and design methodologies. [...]

With more available and more accessible technology, a multidisciplinary approach can be encouraged and a broadened range of ideas can be tested early on with simple prototypes. This should ultimately create a more engaging experience for the user."