Konstantin Aal

University of Siegen · Institute of Business and Information Systems Engineering

In today’s global conflicts, the impact of social media and information and communication technologies (ICT) is undeniable. These platforms have been instrumental in events such as the uprising in Tunisia, the protracted war in Syria, the advocacy of Palestinian activists, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and the confrontation between Colombian guerril...

Not only today, but also in the future, information technology and advances in the field of computer science will have a high relevance for peace and security. Of course, a textbook like this can only cover a selective part of research and a certain point in time. Nonetheless, it can be attempted to identify trends, challenges and offer an outlook...

Social media platforms, while influential tools for human rights activism, free speech, and mobilization, also bear the influence of corporate ownership and commercial interests. This dual character can lead to clashing interests in the operations of these platforms. This study centers on the May 2021 Sheikh Jarrah events in East Jerusalem, a focal...

Social media technologies have been empowering to some human rights activists, providing a platform for exercising free speech and mobilization. However, many activists have voiced concerns and shared experiences they understand as considerable censorship on these platforms, under the guise of content governance. In an effort to increase the unders...

The presentation shows my work over the last 10 years for my PhD thesis entitled: "Influence of Social Media in a Changing Landscape of Crisis: Insights into the Digital Dynamics of Conflict and Activism in the Middle Eastern and North African Region". The presentation focuses on Palestine as a case study.

This work presents a prototype for a multimodal and augmented-reality (AR) based system designed to facilitate individual and social activities, promote health and well-being and support participation for various people. A practice-based design and research approach was used to explore requirements, to conceptualize, design and develop AR-based act...

Our work discusses the crafting of an interactive e-textile tapestry as a creative mode of expressing concepts of the home in a socially and culturally diverse setting. By using a participatory action research approach with ethnographic methods, we explore the building and maintaining of home as practice through crafting. Designed and collaborative...

This study explores the global phenomenon of migration at the local, neighborhood level of a mid-sized city in Germany. Focusing on a long-term interactive storytelling-initiative, it studies the emergence of Arrival Literacy as a bi-directional skill-set. It describes the development of individual, local responses to global migration consequences,...

Food practices have become an important context for questions around sustainability. Within HCI, Sustainable HCI and Human-Food-Interaction have developed as a response. We argue, nevertheless, that food practices as a social activity remain relatively under-examined and further that sustainable food practices hinge on communal activity. We present...

The attempts to evict Palestinian residents of Sheikh Jarrah in May 2021 caught the attention of the world. While this small Palestinian neighbourhood in East Jerusalem had long been central to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, the planned expulsions pushed the situation back into the spotlight. This book discusses the complexity of the media war th...

This paper focuses on tools to approach the practices inherent to the formal and informal e-waste value-chains in Ghana. Our series of field trips and interviews with e-waste collectors and scrap workers, repairers and retailers at their respective workplaces, as well as with domestic electronics users captured a situation in flux, where local auth...

Our work focuses on the design process of a prototype of “story cards” to address, learn and reflect on digital security topics through dialogue and storytelling, for women with a refugee and migrant background. We describe crucial aspects behind the design process of the prototype, including related work, the process behind the identification of n...

This work presents a practice-based design and research approach that was used to explore individual, contextual, and institutional requirements, conceptualize and design AR-based Outdoor-scenarios for individual and joint activities in outdoor sports. Based on the need for social interaction and computer-supported collaborative sports and the decr...

This article and the design fictions it presents are bound up with an ongoing qualitative-ethnographic study with Imazighen, the native people in remote Morocco. This group of people is marked by textual and digital illiteracy. We are in the process of developing multi-modal design fictions that can be used in workshops as a starting point for the...

This paper describes the appropriation processes involved in establishing a socio-technical enabling infrastructure in a valley in the High Atlas of Morocco. We focus on the challenges of co-establishing such an intervention in a rural/mountainous region that is already undergoing a process of continuous development and profound transformation. We...

Issues of trust, privacy and security at the intersection of state intervention and the use of the internet both by ‘publics’ and by individuals for—from the State’s point of view- dispreferred purposes have been of great recent interest to researchers. This has been accompanied by a slowly developing concern for the way in which these issues pan o...

This paper introduces the praxeologically grounded research programme on socio-informatics developed at the University of Siegen and the International Institute for Socio-Informatics in Germany. We outline our methodological framework of grounded design, guiding and binding together a variety of different engagements in practice which we call desig...

Based on our research in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, which began in 2017, we describe our LionAlert system. It protects inhabitants and their cattle from predators (in this case lions) via cell phone alerts and thus aims to mitigate the local Human-Wildlife-Conflict. The technical development was accompanied by various on-the-ground measures and...

Can cattle farmers live peacefully alongside lions, and what role can technology play in this sensitive setting? Since 2017, we have been investigating this question in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, using a Grounded Design (GD) approach. Based on community involvement we have been building and evaluating a system together with local and foreign exp...

Die Umwälzungen im Nahen Osten, der sogenannte „Arabische Frühling“, wurden vermehrt in der akademischen Welt diskutiert. In diesem Kapitel wird gezeigt, wie die Wissenschaft mit dem Thema soziale Medien in Konfliktsituationen (mit Fokus auf den Nahen Osten) umgeht.

There has been increasing interest in socially just use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in the development of technology that may be extended to marginalized people. However, the exploration of such technologies entails the development of an understanding of how they may increase and/or counter marginalization. The use of...

Sicherheitskritische Mensch-Computer-Interaktion ist nicht nur derzeit ein hochaktuelles Thema, sondern wird dies auch in Zukunft bleiben. Insofern ist ein Lehr- und Fachbuch wie dieses immer nur eine Momentaufnahme, und kann immer nur einen punktuellen Stand abdecken. Dennoch kann der Versuch unternommen werden, aktuelle Trends zu identifizieren u...

This VSD nugget considers how the small-scale effects of practice-based design activities can be sustained and scaled up to contribute to global societal change. Examining in particular the character of social networking activity, we discuss how the sustainability of an initiative is related to its ability to: (i) be scaled up and linked with like-...

A diverse group of scholars redefine constructionism—introduced by Seymour Papert in 1980—in light of new technologies and theories. Constructionism, first introduced by Seymour Papert in 1980, is a framework for learning to understand something by making an artifact for and with other people. A core goal of constructionists is to respect learners...

As a result of aging societies, the prevalence of dementia, and accordingly the need for care is increasing. The use of information and communication (ICT)-based technologies may facilitate and promote a self-sustaining lifestyle for people with dementia and their caregivers. In this article, the authors provide results from a design study of an IC...

This paper presents the outcomes of an exploratory study focused on the evaluation of an interactive music exergame for People with Dementia (PwD) and their caregivers. PwD tend to isolate themselves from the outside world, therefore carers need to develop strategies to maintain communication with them. Studies indicate that music–based activities...

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has penetrated almost all areas of life today and has the potential to create positive change. This paper addresses the opportunities offered by ICT for improving the resilience and psychosocial well-being of refugees who have experienced mentally stressful events when forced to leave their home countr...

There has been increasing interest in designing for dementia in recent years. Empirical investigation is now needed of the long-term role of caregivers in appropriating ICTs into the complex daily life of people with dementia (PwD). We present here the outcomes of a 4-month evaluation of the individual, social and institutional impact of a videogam...

There is currently uncertainty in the research community as to how ICT can and should be designed in such a way that it can be convincingly integrated into the everyday lives of prison inmates. In this paper, we discuss a design fiction that closes this research gap. The descriptions and results of the study are purely fictitious. Excluded is the S...

Digital participation has become an important issue in modern societies, typically focusing on groups prone to marginalization. From this perspective, less attention has yet been paid to imprisoned persons. Many penitentiary systems are formally characterized by the basic requirement of resocialization. Accordingly, life in prison should be largely...

For migrants and refugees, settling in a host country often proves hugely problematic. The ability to communicate marks a significant step in the process of resettlement. The current high number of migrants coming to Europe has therefore meant that the need to improve and increase the availability of language provision has become more pressing. Nev...

Projekte zu Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien (IKT) in der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit im Globalen Süden operieren mit impliziten und expliziten Vorstellungen, Ansprüchen und Zielen. Die kritische Reflexion zu den Rahmenbedingungen, dem ethischen Status und den Konsequenzen solcher IKT-Interventionen und -Projekte kommt dabei oft zu kurz....

Dementia affects societies and individuals in a variety of facets and challenges daily life interactions. A major goal of people conducting research in the fields of dementia is to reduce the daily challenges of people with dementia (PwD) and people who live in their social environment. At the same time, improvements in quality of life and self-det...

Medical progress and demographic changes will increase the future need of support and care in older adults. The use of robotic-based technologies may support older adults and relief the health system and caregivers. The authors provide results from two design case studies of applications that are designed for and with older adults and their caregiv...

Pokémon GO is one of the few location-based mobile games (LBMG) which gained popularity all over the world. It increases physical activity when players are walking around catching Pokémon. It also shapes the players' sense of place and increases their social interactions. This exploratory auto-ethnographic study seeks to provide a first glimpse at...

This case study describes the establishment of an educational ICT-intervention, a Computer Club, in the High Atlas, Morocco. We will first give an overview of the general approach and the first intervention. Then, we go into depth of the following trip, 15 months after the opening of the Computer Club. We describe the concerns to address and activi...

Currently, the United Nations High Commissioner for refugees estimates that there are around 65.8 million forcibly displaced people worldwide [16]. As digital technologies have become more available, humanitarian researchers and organizations have begun to explore how technologies may be used to address refugee needs under the umbrella of Digital H...

Purpose Designing technologies for active and healthy ageing (AHA) requires a subtle understanding of end users (primary stakeholders) and healthcare professionals (secondary stakeholders). Often, their perspectives can be heterogeneous and contradictory. Identifying and negotiating them may be a challenge for designers. The purpose of this paper...

Social media as well as information and communication technology (ICT) play a major role in different conflicts all over the world. They have been crucial tools in the beginning of the so-called ‘Arab Spring’ in Tunisia, the ongoing war in Syria, the struggle of Palestinian activists but also the Ukraine-Russia conflict. In this work, we provide th...

Across Africa, lions (Panthera leo) are heavily persecuted in anthropogenic landscapes. Trans-disciplinary research and virtual boundaries (geofences) programmed into GPS-tracking transmitters offer new opportunities to improve coexistence. During a 24-month pilot study (2016–2018), we alerted communities about approaching lions, issuing 1,017 aler...

Not only today, but also in the future information technology and the advances in the field of computer science will have a high relevance for peace and security. Naturally, a textbook like this can only cover a selective part of research and a certain point in time. Nonetheless, it can be attempted to identify trends, challenges and venture an out...

Need for care and accordingly the prevalence of dementia is increasing rapidly. Information and communication technologies (ICT) may have the potential to support collaboration and cooperation between people with dementia and their caregivers and thus promote independency, wellbeing and quality of life of involved parties. In this context, the auth...

Das Angebot von technischen Assistenzsystemen für Menschen mit Demenz und deren Umfeld ist ein junger und überschaubarer Markt. Dieser bietet aber im Sinne von intelligenten Informationstechnologien ein großes Potenzial für menschenzentrierte und bedarfsgerechte Unterstützung. Durch intelligente Systeme können gezielte und bedarfsgerechte Therapiek...

Women interested in computing are still facing several problems considering equality and career chances. Companies realize the opportunities of diversity and yet for several reasons they are struggling to hire or integrate young female professionals. Although gender study research provides promising frameworks there are still issues in applying the...

This paper presents the outcomes of an exploratory field study that examined the social impact of an ICT-based suite of exergames for people with dementia and their caregivers. Qualitative data was collected over a period of 8 months, during which time we studied the daily life of 14 people with dementia and their informal and professional caregive...

As a result of ageing societies, the prevalence of dementia, and accordingly the need of care is increasing rapidly. Here, the use of ICT-based technologies may facilitate and promote a self-sustaining life-style for people with dementia and their caregivers. The presented poster describes early findings from the project MobiAssist and outlines the...

Currently, over 22 million people are considered to be refugees. Many of them are looking for shelter in the surrounding countries of their home country. Technology can be a helpful tool in addressing the challenges of the so-called "refugee crisis", facilitating initial orientation, information, as well as communication and networking support. Thi...

Dementia not only affects the cognitive capabilities, especially memory and orientation, but also physical capabilities, which are associated with a decrease of physical activities. Here, ICT can play a major role to improve health, quality of life and wellbeing in older adults suffering from dementia and related stakeholders, such as relatives, pr...

Die Umwälzungen im Nahen Osten, der sogenannte „Arabische Frühling“, wurden vermehrt in der akademischen Welt diskutiert. In diesem Kapitel wird gezeigt, wie die Wissenschaft mit dem Thema soziale Medien in Konfliktsituationen (mit Fokus auf den Nahen Osten) umgeht. Hierzu werden die in diesem Zusammenhang wesentlichen Begrifflichkeiten erklärt und...

Sicherheitskritische Mensch-Computer-Interaktion ist nicht nur derzeit, sondern auch zukünftig ein äußerst relevantes Thema. Hierbei kann ein Lehr- und Fachbuch, wie dieses, immer nur einen punktuellen Stand abdecken. Dennoch kann der Versuch unternommen werden, aktuelle Trends zu identifizieren und einen Ausblick in die Zukunft zu wagen. Genau das...

Based on a 2014 case study on 3D-printing in Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank, we reflect on more general issues regarding research activities in ›developmental‹ contexts. To this end, we draw upon discussions about and critique of our own work as well as critical discourses from the field of Information and Communication Technologies/Hum...

Zusammenfassung | Der wissenschaftliche Diskurs um die Relevanz gleichberechtigten Zugangs zu moderner Kommunikationstechnologie für gute soziale und wirtschaftliche Entwicklungschancen hat mit der ‚digitalen Kluft‘ ein eindrückliches Bild, das infolge unterschiedlich ausgeprägter Nutzung von Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien (IKT) entst...

Falls are a serious problem in aging societies. A sedentary life style and low levels of physical activity are major factors aggravating older adults’ fall risk. Information and communication technology (ICT)-based fall prevention interventions are a promising approach to counteract the fall risk of this target group. For some time now, fall preven...

This study explores the development of environmental awareness and computational literacy among children by means of upcycling making activities in Germany and Palestine. Our research supports the idea that the combination of handcraft and digital work, documentation and social interaction in the upcycling can foster the development of a maker iden...

3D printing has become an area of intense interest in a variety of disciplines ranging from industry through education, humanitarian and innovation contexts on a research and practice level. At the same time, technologies, materials, usages and appropriation are in constant flux. 3D printing is, however just one of the many facet of digital fabrica...

Over 21 million refugees are residing in camps, journeying through Europe or resettling in new countries [19]. The magnitude of the humanitarian crisis calls for technological innovation in addressing the challenges being faced by refugees and humanitarian aid stakeholders. At our CHI 2016 Special Interest Group (SIG) on Refugees and Human Computer...

Over 21 million refugees are residing in camps, journeying through Europe or resettling in new countries. The magnitude of the humanitarian crisis calls for technological innovation in addressing the challenges being faced by refugees and humanitarian aid stakeholders. This one-day workshop aims to (1) explore research methods that can be adapted a...

3D printing has 1 become an area of intense interest in many disciplines ranging from industry through education, humanitarian and innovation contexts to research. At the same time, technologies, materials, usages and appropriation are in constant flux. 3D printing is but one of the many facet of digital fabrication, the digitalization of more sect...

This study explores the combination of tangible artifacts and digital storytelling as an enabling means for women from educationally disadvantaged communities to have their voices heard in (local) public discourse, and at the same time gain in eloquence with regard to speech and technology and media use. Results show how representative, yet persona...

Do it! Yourself? - Selbermachen ist eine Praxis mit wechselnden Konjunkturen und Slogans. Dieser Band zielt auf die kritische Revision des Phänomens und liegt damit quer zu (markt-)gängigen Texten, die sich vielfach im Lob und in Anleitungen erschöpfen. Die Autor_innen befassen sich empirisch fundiert mit dem Wechselspiel zwischen Diskursen und Pra...

Background Falls are common in older adults and can result in serious injuries. Due to demographic changes, falls and related healthcare costs are likely to increase over the next years. Participation and motivation of older adults in fall prevention measures remain a challenge. The iStoppFalls project developed an information and communication tec...

This poster describes the research around computer clubs in Palestinian refugee camps and the various lessons learned during the establishment of this intervention such the importance of the physical infrastructure (e.g. clean room, working hardware), soft technologies (e.g. knowledge transfer through workshops), social infrastructure (e.g. reliabl...

Falls and their consequences are arguably most important events for transition from independent living to institutional care for older adults. Information and communication technology (ICT)-based support of fall prevention and fall risk assessment under the control of the user has a tremendous potential to, over time, prevent falls and reduce assoc...

The study explores paper from an ethnographic perspective. It focuses on paper as a material that facilitates the production and retention of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering Arts, and Maths) knowledge in children. In an after-school activity with elementary and secondary school children in Germany, a paper project was conducted that reveale...

Social media usage during the recent uprisings in Arab countries has gained increasing attention in human–computer interaction research. This study adds to these insights by providing some findings on the use of information and communications technology (ICT), specifically mobile media, by opposition forces and political activists during the Syrian...