Designing for and with diaspora: a case study of work for the truth and reconciliation commission of liberia

Authors:
Michael L. Best;Thomas N. Smyth;Daniel Serrano-Baquero;John Etherton
Affiliations:
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA;Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA;Georgia Institue of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA;Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
Venue:
CHI '09 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Year:
2009

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Abstract

We describe our experiences in designing new media technologies in cooperation with Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This work includes two major projects: a dynamic, interactive Web site for the Commission, and a mobile video-sharing kiosk intended for use in-country where connectivity is limited. We place specific focus on our design exercises with members of the Liberian diaspora in Atlanta. Our report includes lessons learned both in designing technologies directly for diaspora users, and in using diaspora members as surrogates for users in-country. These lessons include the need to recognize diversity even within the diaspora community, the sensitivity of content to cultural nuances, and the overall value of the perspective of interaction with diaspora members.