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CTSi//circle.responsibleComputing

The Responsible Computing circle at the CTSi investigates the intricate relationship between technology, particularly computer systems, and the social structures that shape our world. We employ interdisciplinary research across ethics, information, law, policy, and social responsibility to explore the societal impact of this complex interplay. Our research tackles critical questions in these key areas: Ethical Considerations in Technology Design and Development, Mitigating Threats in Technology, Leveraging Technology for Positive Impact, Algorithmic Responsibilities and Societal Implications, Digital Inclusion

Our mission:

Reflection & Impact: We critically analyze the consequences of technological advancements. Our goal is to ensure technology acts as a catalyst for responsible, sustainable, and inclusive societal progress.

Critique & Advocacy: We actively critique and oppose initiatives where technology risks facilitating unsustainable development or fostering a dehumanized, dystopian future.

Our scholalry background

Interdisciplinary Exploration of the Intersection of Technology & Society

The field of computer science and socio-technical systems draws on methods from computer science, social sciences, organizational studies, and human-computer interaction, among others (Carroll, 2013). This makes it a rich and vibrant field that can offer valuable insights for developing technologies that are not only technically advanced but also socially responsible and effective in their context (Sommerville, 2018).

Scio-technical systems theory originated in organizational development to explain the interaction of people and technology in workplaces (Trist & Bamforth, 1951). It postulates that both the social aspects (individuals, roles, relationships, culture, etc.) and technical aspects (tools, machines, processes, etc.) are interdependent and must be considered together to ensure a system’s effectiveness (Bostrom & Heinen, 1977).

In computer science, socio-technical systems research can involve many activities. Some examples include:

  • Designing software systems that better accommodate the social structures and processes of the organizations they serve (Baxter & Sommerville, 2011).
  • Studying the societal impact of computing technologies such as artificial intelligence, social media, or digital currencies (Pasquale, 2015).
  • Understanding and mitigating technology-related social issues, like the digital divide, cybersecurity threats, privacy concerns, and ethical considerations of AI (Floridi & Taddeo, 2016).
  • Analyzing how social factors like collaboration, trust, or user behavior affect the development, deployment, and usage of software systems (Whitworth & de Moor, 2009).

The field of computer science and socio-technical systems draws on methodologies from computer science, social science, organizational studies, and human-computer interaction, among others (Carroll, 2013). This makes it a rich and vibrant field that can offer valuable insights for creating technology that’s not just technically advanced but also socially responsible and effective in its intended context (Sommerville, 2018).

Our transformation from researching Informatics & Society (C!S) to Technology & Society (CTSi)

Technological advancements have always created unique challenges for both academic research and society in general. Given the pervasive nature of today’s ICT and the rapid technological progression of innovation, the consequences of these developments are seldom clear and need to be carefully considered from a multitude of perspectives.

Following the Vienna University of Technology credo ‘Technology for People’, the Centre for Informatics and Society investigated developments within the intersection of society and informatics, supported research efforts across academic disciplines and facilitated an open discourse through workshops, talks and public events.

The transformation from the Center for Informatics & Society (C!S) to the Center for Technology & Society (CTSi) reflects the evolving landscape of technology and its profound impact on society. As technology continues to advance rapidly, it is essential to broaden our focus to encompass not only the informatics or technical aspects but also the broader societal implications. The new name, CTSi, better captures the interdisciplinary exploration of technology’s intersection with society and emphasizes our commitment to addressing ethical, sustainable, and inclusive development in an ever-changing technological world.

References :

  • Baxter, G., & Sommerville, I. (2011). Socio-technical systems. From design methods to systems engineering. Interacting with Computers, 23(1), 4-17.
  • Bostrom, R. P., & Heinen, J. S. (1977). MIS problems and failures. A socio-technical perspective. MIS Quarterly, 1(3), 17-32.
  • Carroll, J. M. (2013). Human-computer interaction. Brief intro. Soegaard, M. & Dam, R. F. (Eds.). The Encyclopedia of Human-Computer Interaction, 2nd Ed.
  • Floridi, L., & Taddeo, M. (2016). What is data ethics? Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A. Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 374(2083).
  • Mumford, E. (2006). The story of socio-technical design. Reflections on its successes, failures, and potential. Information Systems Journal, 16(4), 317-342.
  • Pasquale, F. (2015). The black box society. Harvard University Press.
  • Sommerville, I. (2018). Software engineering for socio-technical systems. In International Conference on Software Engineering (pp. 465-474).
  • Trist, E., & Bamforth, K. (1951). Some social and psychological consequences of the longwall method. Human relations, 4(1), 3-38.
  • Whitworth, B., & de Moor, A. (2009). Legitimate by design. Towards trusted socio-technical systems. Behaviour & Information Technology, 28(1), 31-46.

Our circle

photo of KEVIN M. BLASIAK

KEVIN M. BLASIAK
CTSi Circle Lead
TU Wien
photo of HILDA TELLIOĞLU

HILDA TELLIOĞLU
CTSi Director
TU Wien
photo of RAFAEL VRECAR

RAFAEL VRECAR
CTSi Circle Member
TU Wien
photo of FLORIAN CECH

FLORIAN CECH
Former Member
TU Wien
photo of FABIAN FISCHER

FABIAN FISCHER
Former Member
TU Wien
photo of LUKAS PICHLHÖFER

LUKAS PICHLHÖFER
Former Member
TU Wien
photo of HANNES WERTHNER

HANNES WERTHNER
Former CTSi Board Member
TU Wien
photo of UWE EGLY

UWE EGLY
Former CTSi Board Member
TU Wien
photo of PETER PURGATHOFER

PETER PURGATHOFER
Former CTSi Board Member
TU Wien
photo of EDUARD GRÖLLER

EDUARD GRÖLLER
Former CTSi Board Member
TU Wien
photo of GÜNTHER RAIDL

GÜNTHER RAIDL
Former CTSi Board Member
TU Wien
photo of MARKUS HASLINGER

MARKUS HASLINGER
Former CTSi Board Member
TU Wien

Contact us.

CTS//circle.responsibleComputing

Gußhaustraße 27-29, 1040 Vienna, Austria