Phenomenological Concepts and Methods for HCI Research
September 9, 2025 · Belo Horizonte, Brazil
In conjunction with INTERACT 2025
About the Workshop
Phenomenology is increasingly recognized as central to contemporary Human-Computer Interaction, offering unique insights into human experience and the bodily existence in interaction. New phenomenological developments, such as expanded notions of embodiment, intersubjectivity, and participatory sense-making further broaden the scope of phenomenological inquiry, pointing to promising avenues for both theoretical advancement and practical applications in HCI, specially considering the new and unexpected human-technology relationships emerging in technological environments.
This workshop will bring together researchers, practitioners, educators and students interested in exploring phenomenologically inspired HCI. The workshop aims to deepen understanding of phenomenological methods, stimulate innovative research, and foster a community around phenomenology in HCI and how it can help researchers revisit core HCI topics such as user experience, accessibility and affective dimensions of interaction.
Expected outcomes include a research agenda outlining challenges and directions for future phenomenological research in HCI, as well an open-access catalogue of resources useful for both newcomers on phenomenology and experienced researchers. With the workshop, we expect to promote a shared foundation and community for phenomenological practice, welcoming in HCI more proximity with human's lived world, experience and values.
Call for Papers and Workshop Participation
Topics of Interest
- Understanding how phenomenological concepts can inform HCI research
- Investigating existing HCI concepts through phenomenological lenses (UX, accessibility, human values, user evaluation)
- Deepening investigation of first-person perspectives of lived experiences (autobiographical or autoethnographic methods)
- Exploring second-perspective methods that emerge from researcher and domain stakeholder interactions
- Identifying innovative contexts and areas of HCI that could benefit from phenomenological research
- Sharing practical experiences and lessons learned from real case studies and applied phenomenology in HCI
- Research informed by concepts such as lifeworld, intentionality, temporality, embodiment, lived body, embodied affectivity, participatory sense-making
Accepted papers
- "One Touch Is Never Enough": A Phenomenological View of Objects in HCI. Eduardo Souza (UFPR) and Paula Roberta da Silva (PUC-PR)
- Speculative Design as a Post-Phenomenological Practice. Marcelo Soares Loutfi (UNIRIO) and Sean Wolfgand Matsui Siqueira (UNIRIO)
- Thematic Analysis as a Phenomenological Method for Human-Computer Interaction. Emanuel Felipe Duarte (Unicamp) and M. Cecília C. Baranauskas (Unicamp/UFPR)
- Towards a Methodology of Phenomenological Research through Design. Maja Fagerberg Ranten (Roskilde University)
- Phenomenology and Digital Games: Perspectives on Why and Directions on How. Virgínia Fernandes Mota (Unicamp/COLTEC-UFMG) and Emanuel Felipe Duarte (Unicamp)
- Reflecting on Methods: From Unfolding to Supporting Co-exploration in Collaborative Design. Xinhui Ye (Eindhoven University of Technology)
Program Comittee
- Alisson A. Puska (Department of Science, Technology and Innovation - Pato Branco-PR)
- Christian Cambruzzi (UFSC)
- Deógenes P. da Silva Junior (UFPR)
- Diogo Mochcovitch (Université Laval)
- Emanuel Felipe Duarte (Unicamp)
- Hosana Celeste Oliveira (UFPA)
- José Vanderlei da Silva (Centro Universitário Maringá)
- Julio Cesar dos Reis (Unicamp)
- M. Cecilia C. Baranauskas (UFPR)
- Roberto Pereira (UFPR)
- Suneetha Saggurthi (IIM R)
- Yusseli Lizeth Mendez Mendoza (Unicamp)
Types of Submissions
Case Studies
Research papers discussing applications of phenomenological methods to specific HCI research problems.
Experience Reports
Reflective accounts of applying phenomenological approaches in research or design practice.
Essays and Theoretical Contributions
Essays, conceptual contributions and discussions, and methodological innovations or frameworks combining phenomenology with HCI research.
Autobiographical and Dyadic Investigations
First- or second-person accounts using phenomenological reflection on technology experiences.
Peer Review Process
Each submission will be reviewed by two reviewers from the workshop organizing committee. Reviews will be conducted based on relevance to the workshop theme, originality, quality of writing, and potential contribution to the workshop discussions.
How to Submit
Please submit your papers through the EasyChair conference system https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=phenohci2025
Submission Guidelines
- Papers must follow the LNCS (Lecture Notes in Computer Science) (templates: latex or word)
- Submissions should be 3-6 pages in length (excluding references)
- At least one author of each accepted submission must attend the workshop
- We encourage work at any stage of development
Important Dates
Post-Workshop Publication
The papers accepted for the workshop will be published in the CEUR Workshop Proceedings. Authors also will be invited to submit extended versions of their papers for potential publication in a special issue of the Journal of Interactive Systems (JIS), thereby further fostering ongoing dialogue and collaboration around phenomenology in HCI.
Registration
Target Audience
The workshop is open to all interested in phenomenology, post-cognitivism, and their applications in HCI. We welcome researchers, practitioners, educators and students from a broad range of disciplines including but not limited to:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Interaction Design
- Interactive Arts
- Psychology
- Ethnography
- Cognitive Science
- Design Sciences
No specialized background is required!
Workshop Participation
Registration for the workshop is through the main INTERACT 2025 conference registration system. (Registration open!)
Location
The workshop will take place at Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil as part of the INTERACT 2025 conference.
Federal University of Minas Gerais
Workshop Location (TBA)
Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Pre-Workshop Participation
Before the workshop, participants are invited to contribute to a shared catalogue of phenomenological resources. This catalogue is intended to benefit the wider community, especially newcomers who may be less familiar with phenomenological approaches. We welcome suggestions of:
- Key readings and references
- Methodological tools and techniques
- Case studies and examples
- Teaching materials
Please send your suggestions to dpsjunior [at] inf.ufpr.br with the subject line "Phenomenology Resources - INTERACT 2025".
Schedule
Workshop Format
The workshop will combine paper presentations with interactive hands-on activities focused on developing:
- A catalogue of phenomenological resources for HCI research
- A research agenda for phenomenology-inspired projects in HCI
Pre-Workshop Activities
Registered participants will receive a link to share materials, bibliography, and other resources to contribute to a catalogue of phenomenological materials for HCI research. Questions and suggestions regarding phenomenology and the workshop are also welcomed during this phase.
Workshop activities
The workshop will involve presentations and discussion of submitted papers, and hands-on activities towards building a research agenda of phenomenology in HCI. Some activities will be phenomenological inspired, giving participants real experimentation of the phenomenological attitude.
Interactive Installation
In the workshop space, a phenomenologically inspired interactive installation will be available for participants to socially engage and create shared memories of the workshop experience. This installation will promote reflection on the research agenda being developed through the workshop.
Workshop Agenda - September 9, 2025 [Preliminary]
Morning Session
Workshop Introduction: Opening remarks and introduction to phenomenological themes in HCI. Interactive exercises to stimulate phenomenological, bodily, and social experiences.
Three papers will be presented in this first session. The audience will participate in a active discussion of the presented works.
- "One Touch Is Never Enough": A Phenomenological View of Objects in HCI
- Thematic Analysis as a Phenomenological Method for Human-Computer Interaction
- Phenomenology and Digital Games: Perspectives on Why and Directions on How
Three papers will be presented in this second session. The audience will participate in a active discussion of the presented works.
- Speculative Design as a Post-Phenomenological Practice
- Towards a Methodology of Phenomenological Research through Design
- Reflecting on Methods: From Unfolding to Supporting Co-exploration in Collaborative Design
Afternoon Session
Presentation of pre-workshop contributions and collaborative work to consolidate a proposal for a catalogue of phenomenological resources for HCI. This catalogue will serve as a living repository for the research agenda, future challenges, main areas to explore, and resources for applying and learning more about phenomenology.
Working in groups using participatory techniques inspired by phenomenology, participants will collaborate to develop a research agenda draft that outlines challenges and directions for future phenomenological research in HCI.
Thanks, final remarks and future steps.
Organizers
Deógenes P. da Silva Junior
Federal University of Paraná, Brazil
PhD candidate researching design from a socially aware perspective, investigating human values, ubiquitous computing, and socioenactive systems.
Emanuel F. Duarte, Ph.D.
University of Campinas (UNICAMP)
Assistant Professor at the Institute of Computing, researching ubiquitous computing, participatory design, and interactive installations.
Roberto Pereira, Ph.D.
Federal University of Paraná (UFPR)
Professor researching human values, culture and sociotechnical systems design, proponent of value-oriented and culturally informed approaches.
M. Cecília C. Baranauskas, Ph.D.
University of Campinas (UNICAMP)
Full Professor researching socioenactive systems, recipient of the ACM Social Impact Award (2021).
Contact
For any questions regarding the workshop, please contact us at: