11.1 InclusiveSIG: New Agenda for Inclusive Design

Corresponding Chairs

Hua Dong, Brunel University of London - Royal College of Art

Abdusselam Selami Cifter, Brunel University of London 

Co-Chairs

Yumei Dong, Jiang Nan University

Farnaz Nickpour, University of Liverpool

Stella Boess, Tu Delft

Abstract

Over the last thirty years, scholarly activities have built a knowledge base for Inclusive Design, e.g., on ageing [1], exclusion [2], just design [3], and new frontiers [4-5]. The development of guidance, standards, methods, tools and case studies has guided inclusive design practice across disciplines and sectors.]. Our knowledge and understanding of design for inclusion have evolved, and the InclusiveSIG’s theme track will focus on the new agenda for inclusive design. 

Recent discussions (e.g., at the UD2024 conference [5]) have expanded the scope of Inclusive Design, linking it strongly to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), exploring its role in spatial justice and co-production processes, and applying it across macro, meso, and micro levels. The link between user-centred design and sustainability has been explored in , between inclusive design and social design in , and between design for inclusion and sustainability through . 

These interrelationships, coupled with emerging technologies, provide new opportunities and challenges for inclusive design. We invite cross cultural discussion on the future of inclusive design. Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

• New theories of Inclusive Design

• Inclusive Design for achieving Sustainable Development Goals

• Inclusive Design and emerging technologies

• Teaching and learning Inclusive Design in diverse contexts - new practices 

• Healthy Ageing and Wellbeing - human and more-than-human 

• Disability and Inclusion/Exclusion - new discourse

• Social design for inclusion

• Emerging practices of Inclusive Design

• Ethics and Inclusive Design

We welcome contributions from researchers, practitioners, and educators worldwide. We plan to invite best contributions for a journal special issue on inclusive design.

Keywords

inclusive design, equity, emerging practices, new theories, ethics 

References

[1] Dong, Y. M.& Dong,H. (2022) Design Empowering Active Aging: A Resource-Based Design Toolkit, International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, DOI: 10.1080/10447318.2022.2041908

[2] Holmes K. (2018) Mismatch: How Inclusion Shapes Design, The MIT Press

[3] Bianchin, M. and Heylighen, A. (2018) Just Design, Design Studies, 54, 1-22, DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.destud.2017.10.001

[4] Goodman-Dean, J., Zitkus, E. Brock, A. Clarkson, J. Dong, H., Heylighen, A., and Larzar, J. (2025) New Frontiers of inclusive design, Springer

[5] Guglerud, K.S., Leister, W.V., and Vidal, J.C.T. (eds.) (2024) Universal Design 2024: Shaping a Sustainable, Equitable and Resilient Future for All, proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Universal Design (UD2024), Oslo, Norway, 20-22 November 2024.  doi: 10.3233/SHTI320