The Digital World Is Being Built. Is Your Community at the Table?
Reflections from our Doors Open 2025 Workshop, Co-hosted by SACHI and the IDEA Network
As part of the School of Computer Science’s Doors Open 2025, we invited visitors to join a different kind of session. No screens, no software, just conversation, co-design, and a shared question:
How can universities and communities work together to shape a more ethical digital future?
This session — Co-Designing Ethical Digital Futures: The University–Community Gateway — was co-organised by researchers from SACHI (St Andrews Human-Computer Interaction group) and the IDEA Network, a cross-university initiative that champions open knowledge and community-led research.
Why we hosted this
As digital technologies become more central to everyday life, so do questions about who they serve — and who they leave behind. With Scotland’s Ethical Digital Nation vision gaining momentum at our University, we saw an opportunity to invite others into a public, creative conversation about how technology could be made more inclusive, participatory, and just.
This session introduced co-design as a way of turning research into action, shaped with the people most affected by digital systems.
What we did
We opened with a short talk on how universities are evolving, from traditional knowledge institutions to more civic, collaborative partners in digital life. We shared a few ongoing examples from the IDEA Network and SACHI, including work on digital inclusion and open knowledge practices.
Then, we moved into group activities.
Participants chose a community they cared about, from young people to rural residents, people in later life to newcomers and migrants, and explored one of four themes:
- Digital Challenges
- Aspirations & Hopes
- Community Roles & Skills
- The Role of Universities
Each table had a simple prompt card, coloured markers, and a big sheet of paper. The goal wasn’t to create perfect solutions, but to reflect, imagine, and share.
What emerged
The room quickly filled with energy and insight. People reflected on barriers like confusing digital forms, inaccessible tools, and a lack of trust in how data is used. But they also offered hopeful visions — inclusive platforms, more transparency, and tech that reflects community values.
The sketches, sticky notes, and conversations showed just how powerful it can be when people are invited to shape, not just use, technology.
What’s next?
This workshop is part of a wider conversation across SACHI and the IDEA Network about digital justice, inclusion, and the civic role of research. It also connects directly to our ongoing project:
The Role of Universities in an Ethical Digital Nation, supported by Scotland’s Future Series.
More co-design, more collaboration, and more to come!
Our thanks
To everyone who joined us — thank you for thinking, sketching, and reflecting with us.
To Ruth Hoffmann and Dr Kirsty Ross, for leading a joyful and welcoming Doors Open programme.
To Loraine Clarke, for co-leading the session with such care and clarity.
To David Morrison, for the fantastic photos.
And to every SACHI volunteer, whose time and creativity made the session possible.
Want to connect or learn more?
IDEA Network: [email protected]
Recap & photos: Co-Designing Ethical Digital Futures – SACHI Blog
Let’s keep making space for ideas that start with people.
