Digital Workplaces and the Lived Experience of Work

The workshop “Digital Workplaces and the Lived Experience of Work” will take place on Thursday 26th June (from 10:00am to 4.45pm) and Friday 27th June (from 9:30am to 12.45pm) at Swansea University and online.

SPEAKERS

Natalie Ashton (VU Amsterdam)

Anna Bortolan (Swansea University)

Michael Cholbi (University of Edinburgh)

Hadar Elraz (Swansea University)

Leighton Evans (Swansea University)

Sarah Fisher (Cardiff University)

Élaina Gauthier-Mamaril (University of Sheffield)

Matthew Wall (Swansea University)

Background and Aims

Digital technology is having a profound and lasting impact on the lived experience of work. Accelerated by the changes brought about by the pandemic of Covid-19, the use of videoconferencing platforms, messaging apps, and social media to support communication and collaboration in the workplace is almost ubiquitous, and AI-powered tools are becoming more and more integrated in the practices through which job-related tasks are performed. While these transformations can be considered to have benefits in terms of increased connectivity and productivity, there are also significant concerns regarding the impact that an extensive use of digital technology at work can have on wellbeing, social relations, and the ways in which we conceive of and attribute value to our jobs and different forms of labour.

In this context, the aim of the workshop is to explore from an interdisciplinary perspective how different dimensions of the lived experience of work are impacted upon by digital technology. Bringing together researchers with expertise in philosophy, phenomenology, mental health, media studies, management, and politics, it will explore a range of questions including, but not limited to, the following:

·      How does the use of digital technology impact on core aspects of our personal and social experience at work? How are dimensions such as the sense of identity, emotions, and empathy affected by interacting via digital media and through the employment of AI tools in the workplace?

·   How does the integration of digital technology within workplace practices intersect with experiences of neurodiversity and mental health? How can we best design and foster uses of internet-enabled technology and Artificial Intelligence that sustain wellbeing, and foster diversity, inclusion, and participation?

VENUE 

The workshop will take place on  Swansea University Singleton Campus (Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP), in room 038 in the Keir Hardie building, and online (Zoom webinar).

REGISTRATION

This event will be held in hybrid format (in person and on Zoom). Attendance is free, but registration is required.

To register for in-person attendance, please fill in the following form [https://forms.office.com/e/Rm4ZmML6ga] by Thursday 19th June.

To register for online attendance, please click on the following link [https://swanseauniversity.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RlcLxlBxRBaKmaetSOyXBA] and complete the registration by Tuesday 24th June.

INFORMATION

For any questions, please contact the organiser, Anna Bortolan [[email protected]]

The workshop is supported by the UKRI Challenges Seedcorn fund at Swansea University.