Designing technology around human connection and inclusion

How can technology foster belonging instead of isolation? How can AI, robotics, and digital systems support creativity, participation, and meaningful social interaction across different communities?

These questions shaped several international research contributions involving Prof. Giulia Barbareschi from the Chair of Inclusive Technology and Collective Engagement at the Research Center Trustworthy Data Science and Security (RC Trust) and the University of Duisburg-Essen at the ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference (DIS) 2026, held from 13–17 June in Singapore.

DIS is one of the leading international conferences in the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), bringing together researchers, designers, artists, and technologists exploring how interactive systems shape society and everyday life. This year, three international collaborations involving Giulia Barbareschi were represented at the conference – including a Best Paper Award and an Honorable Mention Award.

One of the highlights of the conference was the paper “Floating Companion: Exploring Design Space for Soft Floating Robots in Indoor Environments,” which received the Best Paper Award. The paper was authored by Mingyang Xu, Yanheng Li, Burcu Nimet Dumlu, RAY LC, Giulia Barbareschi, Matthias Hoppe, Jie Li, Kouta Minamizawa, and Kai Kunze. Developed by an international research team, the project investigates a new generation of soft floating robots designed not as industrial machines, but as interactive companions for everyday indoor environments. By developing a structured design framework, the researchers explored how such robots could support more natural, tactile, and socially meaningful forms of interaction in homes and shared spaces.

A second paper, “Creating Empowering Counter-Narratives through Collective Digital Art by Disabled People,” received an Honorable Mention Award. The paper was authored by Giulia Barbareschi, Chihiro Sato, Dunya Chen, Sifan Chen, Eimi Koga, Jason Wilsher-Mills, and Kai Kunze. The project documented a collaborative digital art initiative in Japan led by the internationally renowned Jason Wilsher-Mills. Through a series of participatory workshops, disabled participants utilized iPads to produce self-portraits which were integrated into a large public installation exhibited during events for the International Day of People with Disability. The research examines how technology can support collective storytelling and help challenge stereotypes surrounding disability – not by speaking for marginalized people, but by creating spaces in which they can represent themselves on their own terms.

The third contribution, “Using Generative AI to Design a Recreational Service in a Japanese Aging Community,” was authored by Jianrui Zhao, Shengtian Li, Ximing Shen, Seray Senyer Sukuti, Giulia Barbareschi, and Chihiro Sato. The paper explored how older adults engage with image-based generative AI in community settings. Based on a two-year collaboration with a suburban Japanese community, the research highlights that AI-supported activities become especially meaningful when connected to shared memories, local culture, and everyday social routines.

Taken together, the three papers reflect a broader research perspective that increasingly shapes international conversations in HCI and AI: technology should not only be intelligent or efficient, but also socially grounded, accessible, and responsive to human diversity.

This perspective lies at the core of Giulia Barbareschi’s work at RC Trust. Her chair combines inclusive design, participatory research, and emerging technologies to explore how digital systems can support more equitable societies – particularly for marginalized communities and people often overlooked in technological development.

The recognition at DIS 2026 highlights not only the international visibility of these collaborations, but also the growing importance of human-centered approaches in the development of future AI and interactive systems.