Dear colleagues,

We invite authors to contribute to our Special Issue, following the success of our INTERACT 2023 workshop (see link below). This issue aims to further scientific discussions on designing technologies for neurodivergent individuals. We seek comprehensive contributions including research papers, literature reviews, meta-analyses, case studies, provocations, and pictorials. This emerging field is crucial, with new technologies offering significant opportunities to enhance the quality of life for neurodivergent individuals. We encourage you to submit your work and help advance this important research area.

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Call for Paper Special Issue “Designing Technology for Neurodivergent Self-Determination: Challenges and Opportunities”

Abstract Submission Deadline: October 31st, 2024

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We are running a special issue entitled

Designing Technology for Neurodivergent Self-Determination: Challenges and Opportunities

to be published in

Interacting with Computers

(ISSN 1873-7951, Website https://academic.oup.com/iwc)

Neurodivergent individuals, in particular those with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or sensory processing differences such as synaesthesia, often face barriers in education, employment, and leisure due to a society largely tailored towards neurotypical standards.

Main Topics for Submissions

This Special Issue invites contributions to four key themes:

1. Technology Use by Neurodivergent Individuals: We seek insights into how neurodivergent individuals currently utilize technology to meet their unique needs. Papers exploring practical applications and user experiences are particularly welcomed.
2. Real-World Scenarios and Situations: Lived-experience reports demonstrating communication situations between neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals mediated by interactive systems. Papers should include artefacts highlighting mismatches and confirmations for successful arrangements.
3. Innovations in Assistive Technology: We are looking for research on the development of new technologies aimed specifically at supporting neurodivergent individuals. Studies on design principles, user-centred development, and the impact of these technologies on daily life are highly encouraged.
4. Design for Inclusivity: Contributions should focus on how technology designed for the neurotypical population can be reimagined to foster a more profound understanding of neurodivergence and promote inclusivity. Papers can address inclusive design frameworks, and strategies for embracing self-determination and balancing individual needs with societal responsibilities.

We invite researchers drawing upon design-based research approaches to share theoretical, methodological, or practical perspectives as well as lived experiences. We welcome submissions reporting on qualitative or quantitative studies, systematic reviews or scoping reviews, as well as theoretical models. Submissions should address the existing interfaces between neurodivergence and technology, propose innovative solutions, or explore the intersection of technology design with societal inclusion efforts.

Important Dates

• Extended Abstract (approx. 1,500 words) Submission Deadline: October 31st, 2024
• Notification of Acceptance of the Abstracts for Manuscript Submissions: approx. December 3rd, 2024
• Manuscript Submission: February 27th, 2025
• Publication of the Special Issue: TBA

Submission Guidelines and Procedure

All submissions (abstracts and later final manuscripts) must be original and may not be under review by another publication. The abstracts and manuscripts can be submitted in any common document format, such as single PDF or Word file (an Overleaf LaTeX template is available if needed, but the first submission does not require matching journal style). All papers will be blindly peer-reviewed by at least two reviewers. Authors are invited to submit either a 7,000-12,000 word long or a 3,000-5,000 word short research paper (excluding abstract and references). Next to research papers, we accept state-of-the-art reviews (e.g., systematic literature reviews), provocations (3,000-5,000 words), pictorials (ca. 12 pages) as well as case studies. The length of each submission should be proportional to the contributions made. Please state within your abstract submission which format your manuscript will be in. More information on the submission procedure and on the characteristics of the contribution types can be found on the following website, where information on the copyright policy and responsibility of authors, publication ethics and malpractice are published: https://academic.oup.com/iwc/pages/General_Instructions.

Abstract Submission

• First, submit your extended abstract
  • Deadline: October 31st, 2024
  • Word Count: approx. 1,500 words
  • Submission Format: any common document format, such as PDF, Word, RTF (no need to match journal style)
  • Remark: Anonymize your submission!
  • Remark: State within the abstract which submission format your full manuscript will be (either a long or short research paper, a state-of-the-art review, provocation, pictorial, or a case study).
• Link to submit your abstract: EasyChair Submission System: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=neurotech2025 

Editors

David Gollasch, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany, 
Meinhardt Branig, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany, 
Denise Lengyel, Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom, 
Miroslav Macik, Czech Technical University, Prague, Czech Republic, 
Jan Gulliksen, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden

Additional Information

• Workshop at INTERACT 2023: https://autark.inf.tu-dresden.de/en/interact-conference-2023/ 
• Workshop-related publication: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-42293-5_83 

Best wishes,

David