Workshop 9: CSCW, Technology and Diagnostic Work

Organisers: Monika Büscher (Department of Sociology, Lancaster University), Alan Firth (School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, Newcastle University), Dawn Goodwin (Institute for Health Research, Lancaster University), Preben Mogensen (Computer Science Department, Aarhus University), Jacki O’Neill (Xerox Research Centre Europe), John Rooksby (Computing Department, InfoLab 21, Lancaster University), Dan Shapiro (Department of Sociology, Lancaster University), Roger Slack (School of Social Sciences, Bangor University, Wales)

Workshop overview:
The ability to notice trouble and see scope for remedial action is crucial in many different contexts of work. Doctors, mechanics, help-line operators, fire fighters, experimental scientists, the police, teachers, surveyors, computer programmers, and many other professionals do it. Technology use pervades diagnostic work. Mediating technologies might include video-conferencing systems, online support or the telephone. Facilitating technologies include e.g. medical technologies (from the traditional x-ray machines to systems which themselves attempt to read and interpret medical data), knowledge bases and expert systems. In this workshop, we explore, present and discuss studies of technology mediated or facilitated diagnostic work in any domain of human activity, as well as analyses and designs of technologies intended to support diagnostic work.

Who should attend:
The aim of this workshop is to consider the inter-relationship of technology, CSCW and diagnostic work through bringing together researchers, designers, and studies of diagnostic practices. We invite 3-5 page position papers. Paper presentations will be 20 minutes in length with good time for discussion. Work-in-progress is very welcome. Papers and/or data excerpts will be circulated beforehand, using the workshop website http://www.istpalcom.org/activities/ECSCW/diagnosing

The workshop will be open to a maximum of 15 participants

More info at: http://www.ist-palcom.org/activities/ECSCW/diagnosing

Dissemination:
For contributions concerned with technology in medical practice, a special issue of the Health Informatics Journal is being negotiated. (Edited by Roger Slack and Dawn Goodwin)
For contributions with a more general focus and contributions dealing with diagnostic practice and technology in non-medical settings, a special issue for the Journal of Computer Supported Cooperative Work is being negotiated. (Edited by Monika Büscher, Jacki O’Neill and John Rooksby)

Submissions:
Position papers should be submitted to Monika Buscher m.buscher AT lancaster.ac.uk by July 6 2007.
Acceptance notifications will be sent by July 13.