MOOC 1: Design for Values
1. Core idea: Technology is not neutral
Technology always:
influences behaviour
shapes society
affects values
Example:
Racist overpass shows design can exclude people. Fire alarms influence
behaviour.
Technology is not just a tool, it shapes how we live.
2. Values in design
Three types of values:
Intended values: what designers want
Embedded values: built into the design
Realised values: what actually happens
There is often a gap between intended and realised values.
3. Value-Sensitive Design (VSD)
Main idea: design technology with human values in mind.
Three types of investigation:
Conceptual: identify and define values
Empirical: study real-world behaviour
Technical: implement values in the design
Values should be built into the design from the start.
4. Stakeholders
Stakeholders are all groups affected by the technology.
Includes:
direct users
indirect users
future generations
Purpose: identify needs and values and avoid unfair outcomes.
Methods:
interviews
observations
personas
data analysis
5. Sources of values
Values come from:
stakeholders
engineering profession
legal requirements
ethical codes
6. Values hierarchy
,Tool to translate values into design.
Levels:
Values (e.g. privacy)
Norms (e.g. protect personal data)
Design requirements (e.g. encrypt data)
The hierarchy helps structure decisions but does not solve conflicts.
7. Value conflicts
A value conflict occurs when not all values can be satisfied at the same time.
Examples:
safety vs privacy
cost vs sustainability
Approaches:
Threshold approach: meet minimum level (may not optimise)
Multiple Criteria Analysis (MCA): compare options and make trade-offs
8. Nudging
Nudging is subtle influence on behaviour.
It can help but is not sufficient on its own, especially in safety-critical systems.
Strong design (embedded values) is more effective.
9. Informational privacy
Three interpretations:
secrecy: hiding information
control: consent-based sharing
contextual integrity: depends on context
10.Technological mediation
Technology shapes:
perception
behaviour
moral decision-making
Humans are not fully independent; technology influences actions.
11.Technology is constitutive
Technology is not only enabling but constitutive.
Enabling: tool
Constitutive: shapes behaviour and society
12.Testing vs certification
Testing: evaluate how the system works in practice
Certification: verify compliance with standards
13.Responsible Innovation
Four principles:
Anticipation: consider future impacts
, Inclusiveness: involve stakeholders
Reflexivity: reflect on values and assumptions
Responsiveness: adapt based on new insights
14.Moral overload
Occurs when it is impossible to satisfy all moral values at the same time.
15.Collingridge dilemma
Early stage:
easy to change
impacts unclear
Late stage:
impacts clear
difficult to change
16.Ethics and VSD
VSD identifies values but does not always prioritise them.
Adding an ethical theory:
helps justify decisions
helps compare values
17.Key examples
Racist overpass: design is not neutral
Storm surge barrier: value conflict balanced, not solved
Ride-sharing ratings: system bias
KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER FOR EXAM
Technology is not neutral
VSD integrates values into design
Three investigations: conceptual, empirical, technical
Stakeholders identify values
Values hierarchy: values, norms, design
Value conflicts require trade-offs
MCA handles trade-offs
Nudging is not sufficient alone
Privacy: secrecy, control, context
Technological mediation shapes behaviour
Responsible Innovation: anticipation, inclusiveness, reflexivity,
responsiveness
Collingridge dilemma: early unclear, late difficult
Moral overload: cannot satisfy all values simultaneously
MOOC 2: Life Cycle Analysis
1. Sustainability basics
1. Core idea: Technology is not neutral
Technology always:
influences behaviour
shapes society
affects values
Example:
Racist overpass shows design can exclude people. Fire alarms influence
behaviour.
Technology is not just a tool, it shapes how we live.
2. Values in design
Three types of values:
Intended values: what designers want
Embedded values: built into the design
Realised values: what actually happens
There is often a gap between intended and realised values.
3. Value-Sensitive Design (VSD)
Main idea: design technology with human values in mind.
Three types of investigation:
Conceptual: identify and define values
Empirical: study real-world behaviour
Technical: implement values in the design
Values should be built into the design from the start.
4. Stakeholders
Stakeholders are all groups affected by the technology.
Includes:
direct users
indirect users
future generations
Purpose: identify needs and values and avoid unfair outcomes.
Methods:
interviews
observations
personas
data analysis
5. Sources of values
Values come from:
stakeholders
engineering profession
legal requirements
ethical codes
6. Values hierarchy
,Tool to translate values into design.
Levels:
Values (e.g. privacy)
Norms (e.g. protect personal data)
Design requirements (e.g. encrypt data)
The hierarchy helps structure decisions but does not solve conflicts.
7. Value conflicts
A value conflict occurs when not all values can be satisfied at the same time.
Examples:
safety vs privacy
cost vs sustainability
Approaches:
Threshold approach: meet minimum level (may not optimise)
Multiple Criteria Analysis (MCA): compare options and make trade-offs
8. Nudging
Nudging is subtle influence on behaviour.
It can help but is not sufficient on its own, especially in safety-critical systems.
Strong design (embedded values) is more effective.
9. Informational privacy
Three interpretations:
secrecy: hiding information
control: consent-based sharing
contextual integrity: depends on context
10.Technological mediation
Technology shapes:
perception
behaviour
moral decision-making
Humans are not fully independent; technology influences actions.
11.Technology is constitutive
Technology is not only enabling but constitutive.
Enabling: tool
Constitutive: shapes behaviour and society
12.Testing vs certification
Testing: evaluate how the system works in practice
Certification: verify compliance with standards
13.Responsible Innovation
Four principles:
Anticipation: consider future impacts
, Inclusiveness: involve stakeholders
Reflexivity: reflect on values and assumptions
Responsiveness: adapt based on new insights
14.Moral overload
Occurs when it is impossible to satisfy all moral values at the same time.
15.Collingridge dilemma
Early stage:
easy to change
impacts unclear
Late stage:
impacts clear
difficult to change
16.Ethics and VSD
VSD identifies values but does not always prioritise them.
Adding an ethical theory:
helps justify decisions
helps compare values
17.Key examples
Racist overpass: design is not neutral
Storm surge barrier: value conflict balanced, not solved
Ride-sharing ratings: system bias
KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER FOR EXAM
Technology is not neutral
VSD integrates values into design
Three investigations: conceptual, empirical, technical
Stakeholders identify values
Values hierarchy: values, norms, design
Value conflicts require trade-offs
MCA handles trade-offs
Nudging is not sufficient alone
Privacy: secrecy, control, context
Technological mediation shapes behaviour
Responsible Innovation: anticipation, inclusiveness, reflexivity,
responsiveness
Collingridge dilemma: early unclear, late difficult
Moral overload: cannot satisfy all values simultaneously
MOOC 2: Life Cycle Analysis
1. Sustainability basics
