Digital Commons Network^™

A User Experience Model Of Artificial Empathy: Learn From Constructing An Evaluation Scale, Chiju Chao, Zhiyong Fu

IASDR Conference Series

As intelligent products increasingly permeate daily life, artificial empathy - the ability of intelligent systems to understand and respond to human emotions - has become crucial to enhancing user experience. However, existing research lacks a systematic user experience structural model and effective evaluation tools, resulting in fragmented design goals and inconsistent assessment criteria. This study aims to construct a user experience model for artificial empathy using a scale development approach. Based on literature review, semi-structured interviews, thematic analysis, expert workshop, and multiple rounds of surveys (N = 500), four key dimensions were identified: Emotional Affordance, Behavioural Reliability, Perceived Personification, and …

Embodied Interaction And Video Re-Narration: A Participatory Framework For Script-Based Cultural Heritage -– The Case Of Nüshu, Jiaa Peng, Yia Xiao

IASDR Conference Series

Script systems such as Nüshu—a unique writing system created and used exclusively by women— function as composite cultural carriers, integrating linguistic utility, visual configuration, and ritual practice. They embody identity and emotional bonds within specific communities. As digital culture dissemination accelerates, interactive video has emerged as a promising pathway for the regeneration of such cultural resources. However, existing digitalization approaches often suffer from limited sensory engagement, inadequate contextual restoration, and superficial participatory frameworks, which fail to convey the complex cultural structures and socio cultural significance of these systems. This study centres on the immersive interactive video installation Zuo Ge Tang …

Design For All: Mitigating Systemic Bias And Hidden Violence In Ai Voice Assistants For Visually Impaired Users, Jie Meng, Yufei Zhang, Ziwei Lin

IASDR Conference Series

AI voice assistants promise greater accessibility, yet misalignments in their design can reproduce systemic bias. This study examines the usability of AI voice assistants for blind and low-vision users through a multi-method qualitative approach. We combined a literature review with observation- assisted usability sessions (n = 23) and semi-structured interviews (n = 8) with participants in China and the UK. Thematic ally analysing the corpus in NVivo 14, we identified four recurring challenges: elevated task error rates; limited recognition of diverse accents alongside vague or inconsistent auditory feedback; interface barriers that embed visual dependencies; and a resulting sense of exclusion …

The Meaningfulness Of Place: Evaluating Nature Postcards From Finland, Japan And Generative Ai, Petr Nurmela, Amna Qureshi, Jonna Häkkilä

IASDR Conference Series

This paper presents a study based on three participatory workshops evaluating Nature Postcards from Finland, Japan, and those generated by artificial intelligence. The meaning fulness of place is examined through theories of human–nature connection—specifically restoration, nature-relatedness, and engagement with beauty—alongside the concept of sense of place. Kansei Design is applied as the methodological approach to capture participants’ (n = 17 in total, from Finland and Japan) perceptions of 12 nature postcards, each representing four levels of nature, using both positive and negative descriptive words, evaluated in two workshops held in Finnish and Japanese. The collected terms were grouped, and the …

"Weaving Home Over Time": Uncovering Layered Narratives Of Belonging Through Participatory Homemaking In Dementia Care, Natsumi Wada, Silvia Maria Gramegna, Alessandro Biamonti

IASDR Conference Series

What elements make you feel that this is “home”? This study investigates the multifaceted concept of “home” for people with dementia, extending beyond physical shelter to encompass sensory, emotional, and relational dimensions. Drawing on a qualitative, participatory co-design approach at GRACE Lab— a living lab embedded in a Milan dementia village—we engaged five residents with mild-to-moderate dementia, care staff, and design researchers in semi-structured interviews, observations, storytelling, and one-on-one workshops. A bespoke toolkit of icon cards and collage materials was used to elicit personal memories and co-construct individualized “home” narratives. Data coded in MaxQDA24 were analysed through a multimodal narrative …

Exploring Image Generation Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Visual Interface Design With Technology Acceptance Model: The Case Of Stable Diffusion Online And Uizard Platform, Chung-Shun Feng, Chin-Ching Chen

IASDR Conference Series

In recent years, the rapid development of AI technology and application tools has made it obvious that design education can be applied to generative AI applications, and many image-generating AI tools are now available at different levels of technology. The theme of this study is to explore the design of visual interfaces for image-generating AI aids in a technology acceptance model - a research evaluation using the Stable Diffusion Online and Uizard platforms. There were 39 students from the Department of Design, and four experimental tasks were performed. This study used the technology acceptance model, which consists of a three-dimensional …

Visual Inclusivity In Typography: Creating A Typeface For Children With Diverse Reading Needs, Chih Ning Hsu, Tingyi S. Lin

IASDR Conference Series

This study presents an inclusive, universal design approach to developing a Traditional Chinese typeface that addresses the accessibility limitations of TW-MOE-Std-Kai, the current standard body text used in Taiwanese elementary school textbooks. While TW-MOE-Std-Kai carries significant cultural value, its calligraphic style introduces structural and perceptual barriers to students with dyslexia or low vision, such as visual crowding, sharp terminals, and inadequate spacing. To solve these challenges, a four- stage design process was implemented: (1) Design Strategy Implementation, (2) Basic Stroke and Character Framework Development, (3) Glyph Expansion, and (4) Quality Verification. Leveraging the open-source Iansui Typeface as a foundation, the …

From Mailbox To Diorama: Designing Reflexive Toolkits For Situated Dialogue With Everyday Objects, Chun-Teng Wang, You-Wei Yang, Wenn-Chieh Tsai, Yu-Chieh Ho

IASDR Conference Series

This study introduces the "Field Mailbox" and "Dialog Diorama" - two research artifacts designed to facilitate situated dialogues between owners and their everyday objects, exploring the design of personal, reflexive toolkits. Using LLM-based generative AI, the study progressively grants conversational agency to objects within a Research-through-Design approach. Field Mailbox facilitates slow, reflective engagement through postcard-based exchanges, while Dialog Diorama promotes real- time storytelling with RFID-enhanced props. Through the design process and pilot study of these two artifacts, the researchers explored the impact of different stages of AI dialogue integrated into the artifacts. Preliminary research results indicate that the agency driven …

Exploring Human-Ai Differences In Emotional Color Perception: A Pictorial Study On Gai-Generated Cinematic Visuals Through Design Research, Hsin-Ting Chung, Tingyi Lin, Yu-Ting Cheng

IASDR Conference Series

This study explores how generative AI (GAI) and humans interpret emotional meanings through color in cinematic visuals. Drawing from film color theory, we designed a set of mood palettes and applied them to keyframes generated by GAI. Using qualitative questionnaires, we compared emotional interpretations from human participants and GPT-4o. Results revealed overlapping but diverging perceptions: humans relied on narrative context and memory, while AI leaned on statistical associations. These findings highlight GAI’s limited emotional grounding and suggest opportunities to enhance visual storytelling tools through hybrid color-emotion frameworks. This research contributes to emerging dialogues in computational aesthetics, human–AI perception, and design …

Design Asset Formation Through Ai-Driven Interpretation Of Text And Visual Data, Yu Syuan Guo, Wan Ting Jiang, Cheng Yuan Wu, Shyhnan Liou

IASDR Conference Series

including Yu-Syuan Guo, Wan-Ting Jiang, and Cheng-Yuan Wu, Researchers, and Shyhnan Liou, Director of R&D, for their invaluable support and collaboration throughout this project. This study aims to explore the evolution of in-house design processes through AI technology. Historically, design projects lacked standardization, result- ing in inconsistent deliverables, costs, and quality, especially in cross-disciplinary projects. To address this, this research developed two AI design think- ing tool prototypes. The goal is to leverage generative AI's strength in organizing nonlinear data to assist enterprises with varying design application ex- periences. This includes structuring first-hand research data using natural language, enhancing asset …

Exploring The Metacognitive Regulation Of Emotions During The Design Process, Hsiang-Ting Huang, Hsi-Jen Chen

IASDR Conference Series

This study explored how design students employ meta cognition to regulate emotions during collaborative design and examined the influence of different teamwork styles. Nine graduate students participated in a ten-week project developing an educational board game, with data collected through design journals and analysed using content analysis. The results showed: (1) clear goals and effective regulatory strategies enhanced perceived control and fostered positive emotions, whereas task ambiguity often triggered anxiety; (2) teamwork styles shaped emotional trajectories: additive teams achieved stability through intensive interaction, conjunctive teams showed individualized regulation due to limited support, and disjunctive teams reflected the leader’s emotional strain …

Evaluating The Role Of Narrative Perspective In Chatbot-Supported Academic Procrastination Reduction, Pei-Jung Cheng

IASDR Conference Series

This study examined how different narrative perspectives in chatbot dialogues shape users’ identity perceptions and willingness to continue interaction. 86 participants interacted with a LINE BOT framed in first-, second-, or third-person voice during an 8-day academic task. Findings showed that the 1st- person perspective fostered more personalized identity projections—such as mentor, peer, or self— and encouraged longer engagement duration. The 3rd-person perspective, while emotionally distant, yielded the highest willingness to continue use, suggesting broader acceptability. In contrast, the 2nd- person voice evoked more authoritative perceptions and the lowest engagement willingness. These results highlight the importance of narrative framing in …

Beyond Active And Passive: A "Middle-Voice" Human–Ai Collaboration Framework For Enhancing Creativity Through Interdisciplinary Workshops, Yo Tomura, Toshikatsu Kiuchi, Taisei Saito, Ayano Suzuki, Shinjiro Machida, Chie Fukada, Tomohisa Norisuye, Toshimichi Ohmura, Yasuko Kato, Kazutoshi Tsuda

IASDR Conference Series

The recent surge of generative AI has accelerated arguments on whether it can facilitate and hamper creative thought processes. In this work, we explore a framework for human–AI co-creativity within a closed academic community. We designed a multi-session interdisciplinary workshop in which university researchers created a custom GPT-based conversational assistant collaboratively and had guided interactions with the assistant. In these workshops, we presented a novel "middle-voice" (chūdō-teki in Japanese) co-creation methodology, where AI was placed on an equal footing as a co- creator, not as a tool nor as a source of wisdom. We also gathered qualitative data on how …

Empathy In The Headset: Exploring Affective Computing Through Ai In Virtual Reality, Po-Wei Chiu, Tiburcio Schöniger, Chris Wu

IASDR Conference Series

Advancements in affective computing highlight the growing potential of virtual reality (VR)–based conversational agents to provide emotional support during distressing experiences. This pilot study employed a convergent mixed-methods design to examine how a VR-based empathetic agent influences users’ emotional states, perceived empathy, and trust after recalling negative personal memories. Five participants completed an emotion-induction task followed by a 15-minute supportive dialogue with an AI agent in an immersive VR environment. Quantitative measures indicated general mood improvement with a slight rise in tension, likely reflecting residual arousal rather than discomfort with the agent. Qualitative analysis identified three key themes: technical friction …

Designing Co-Creation Tools For Interdisciplinary Design Thinking Education, Sooyeon Leem, Hyelin Ko

IASDR Conference Series

Interdisciplinary design thinking education often faces challenges in communication, problem framing, and team alignment, especially under flipped-classroom models. This paper introduces DThinkLab, a structured visual collaboration tool designed to support grounding, clarification, and reflection in team- based design thinking projects. Drawing from prior research and user interviews, the tool integrates step-based templates, role-based contributions, and AI-driven prompts to scaffold reasoning and mutual understanding. A planned pilot in university-level courses will test its effectiveness in addressing communication gaps and supporting educator facilitation.

Research On The Immersive Experience Design Of Intangible Cultural Heritage Dance Based On Body Schema Theory, Wensi Dai, Yan Shuo

IASDR Conference Series

This study explores immersive experience design for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) dance based on Body Schema Theory. By analyzing the triadic elements of body schema— corporeal subject, active space, and bodily imagery—we establish a theoretical framework for enhancing ICH dance transmission through digital immersion. Three design methodologies are proposed: coexistence of real-virtual dance bodies, construction of body- field interactive dance spaces, and reconstruction of inner cultural order. These approaches address challenges of homogenized symbol interpretation and low audience engagement by integrating multisensory feedback, physiological signal mapping, and culturally embedded narrative interaction. Case studies demonstrate how bodily perception and spatial dynamics …

Avian Experience In Urban Grotto: Ecological Soundscapes As A Biosemiotic Methodology In Multispecies Ethnographic Research And More-Than-Human Communication, Qingyu Zhang, Francesca Valsecchi

IASDR Conference Series

Ecological soundscapes, once primarily regarded as carriers of environmental information, are increasingly understood as immersive, embodied experiences that offer experiential and ontological access to more-than-human worlds. Situated within the framework of more-than-human design, this research challenges anthropocentric paradigms by foregrounding ecological soundscapes as dynamic, sentient agencies that convey environmental meaning and social structures among non-human species. Through field-based, autoethnographic inquiry on crow vocal is ation in Vienna, the project 1) articulates a hybrid methodological approach combining deep listening, soundscape walks, and bio acoustic analysis; and 2) establishes a sonification process that translates the data from the multispecies ethnographic research into …

Strategic Internationalization Of A Moroccan Family Business: Richbond’S Expansion Across Africa, Essbaa Elmehdi

Audio & Video by Faculty: Webinars, interviews, documentaries, etc...

Research Questions and Objectives

Family businesses from emerging markets are increasingly pursuing regional expansion and strategic internationalization to diversify their activities, increase resilience, and reduce dependency on domestic markets. This research centers on Richbond, a distinguished Moroccan family-owned enterprise specializing in manufacturing and consumer goods, which has systematically developed a sophisticated internationalization strategy spanning both African regional markets and global economic landscapes. The study aims to provide a comprehensive analytical exploration of the processes, strategic considerations, and organizational dynamics that support Richbond's progressive business expansion. Specifically, the research seeks to address the following critical research questions:

• What motivational factors …

El Corazón Al Descubierto: Reflexiones Sobre Levítico 18.22, Renato Lings

Conexión Queer: Revista Latinoamericana y Caribeña de Teologías Queer

The article explores the hermeneutical paradoxes of the book of Leviticus through the personal experience of Rabbi Steven Greenberg, whose encounter with Leviticus 18.22 transformed his relationship with the Torah and his own identity. Through rigorous textual analysis, the article questions traditional cis-heterosexist interpretations and examines the semantic complexity of the expression mishkebey ishshah [a wife’s bed]. The study shows how Leviticus—far from being a monolithic code—contains internal tensions, profound ethical elements, and a surprising openness toward neighbors and immigrants, inviting a critical and liberating reading.

Ctrl + Alt + Inner Speech: A Verbal–Cognitive Scaffold (Vcs) Model Of Pathways To Computational Thinking, Daisuke Akiba

Publications and Research

This theoretical paper introduces the Verbal–Cognitive Scaffold (VCS) Model, a cognitively inclusive framework which proposes the cognitive architectures underlying computational thinking (CT). Moving beyond monolithic theories of cognition (e.g., executive-function and metacognitive control models), the VCS Model posits inner speech (InSp) as the predominant cognitive pathway supporting CT operations in neurotypical populations. Synthesizing interdisciplinary scholarship across cognitive science, computational theory, neurodiversity research, and others, this framework articulates distinct mechanisms through which InSp supports CT. The model specifies four primary pathways linking InSp to CT components: verbal working memory supporting decomposition, symbolic representation facilitating pattern recognition and abstraction, sequential processing enabling …

Public Priorities For The Post-War Reconstruction Of Ukraine’S Energy Sector., Olena Savchenko, Vasyl Zhelykh, Khrystyna Kozak, Omar Al-Hafith, Joao Alencastro, Olugbenga Oladinrin, Ademola Adebayo Akinbami

School of Art, Design and Architecture

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in the large-scale destruction of many cities across the country. Although the war has not yet ended, there will come a time when the conflict concludes, and reconstruction efforts will begin. Global experiences show that the first step in preparing for post-war reconstruction is to assess the level of destruction. Additionally, it is essential to understand people’s needs and priorities. Otherwise, reconstruction activities may fail to address the existing challenges and actual needs of local communities. This study aims to explore post-war reconstruction priorities of Ukrainians, with special focus on the energy sector …

Preparing Teachers To Seek Out Student Voice: Grounding The Work In Critical Consciousness, Stephanie Mg Herb

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

Seeking out student voice is a powerful and beneficial practice that requires teachers to be thoughtful and intentional. While students may feel validated when teachers respond to their input, soliciting student voice can also be harmful if not done carefully. It is necessary to use a critically conscious lens when soliciting student voice and responding to their input and feedback to best support students with historically marginalized identities. Teachers must be prepared to seek out multiple perspectives, deeply listen, and take critical action in response to the information that the students provide. By doing so, teachers can create empowering learning …

Bridging Boundaries: Integration Of Culturally Relevant Resources, James D. Ware, Evan W. Stokes

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

This qualitative study examines the impact of culturally relevant resources on student engagement, motivation, and academic achievement in a language arts classroom. Since school curricula are increasingly scrutinized for their ability to reflect the historical and cultural diversity of student populations, this study investigates how integrating culturally relevant pedagogy can enhance learning outcomes. The study explores the student impact of blending culturally relevant teaching materials with traditional educational frameworks to foster a more inclusive and equitable classroom environment. By analyzing student feedback from a writing-intensive English course that utilized culturally relevant resources, the study seeks to provide insights into how …

Once Upon An Early Writing Experience: Connecting Memory With Literacy Instruction In Pre-Service Teacher Education, Jue Wang, Jingru Lu

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

Through a narrative-based case study design, this research connects pre-service teachers’ early writing memories with their studies in writing instruction to explore how multi-layered and multi-faceted writing experiences across time and space influence teaching beliefs and practices. This article invites audiences to vicariously experience these pedagogical encounters, reflect on journeys to becoming writing teachers, and shed light onto the implications of teaching early writing. Comic artifacts and interview data were collected from nine pre-service teachers who learned to teach early writing/language arts in a four-year public university in the Inland Northwest. Based on the participants’ comics and narratives, four themes …

An Interdisciplinary Tabletop Simulation For Disaster Preparedness In Nursing Education, Lori Ann Minton, Gabri Warren, Lauren Rollins Lwanga

Biennial Convention (CONV)

The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary tabletop simulation on student learning outcomes and American Association of Colleges of Nursing core competences related to disaster preparedness.

Nurses deliver a variety of services in the community and acute care settings and have historically been highly active in volunteerism. Disaster preparedness education can prepare future nurses to meet the needs of their communities during these emergency situations. There are opportunities to provide disaster preparedness education to nursing students using the AACN competencies and domains related to disaster response through simulation.

This IRB reviewed mixed methods study …

“Shaping Academic Teaching At The Crossroads Of Ethics And Artificial Intelligence”, Workshop At Warsaw University Of Technology, Warsaw, 25 September 2024, Julia Braniewska, Bartłomiej Skowron

Yearbook of Antitrust and Regulatory Studies

This document is a report on the workshop, “Shaping Academic Teaching at the Crossroads of Ethics and Artificial Intelligence”, which formed a component of the “Ethics and AI” conference hosted by Warsaw University of Technology.

Leveraging Student Data To Assess, Inform, And Develop Teachers Capacities, Nathan D. Koerber, Kenneth J. Fasching-Varner

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

This quantitative study analyzed 47 survey responses to gauge in-service, pre-licensed teacher, and paraprofessional perceptions of cultural competency. Participants responded to the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society’s Cultural Competence Self-Assessment Checklist (Alpha = 0.7) to explore their awareness, knowledge, and skills in cultural competency. Moreover, through the application of Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) as a theoretical framework, this study highlighted how these perceptions related to culturally responsive teaching and provided several implications for their future preparation to further develop their cultural competency through the tenets of CRT. The analysis identified participant unfamiliarity with privilege and its impact, as well as …

In-Between Spaces: First-Generation College Immigrant Experiences, Silvina Alamo Sousa-Ransford

Dissertations and Theses

It is human nature to seek a sense of belonging, acceptance, and community. College students also share this desire for connection in higher education, but some face more barriers and challenges. This study examined the experiences of first-generation college students who are also immigrants. The goal was to understand how to best support students in college, including through academic advising, at a four-year research university in the Pacific Northwest. To gain insight into the students' experiences, I interviewed participants using narrative qualitative methods guided by the framework of sense of belonging and analyzed the data utilizing Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Model. The …

The Role Of Religion In Ensuring National Security In Kazakhstan, Nurzhan Arystanbekuly Tursin Nur, Mukhan Issakhan, Shamshadin Kerim, Kovalev Dmitriy, Kalimash Begalinova

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article explores the foundations of state policy aimed at ensuring religious stability in Kazakhstan. It analyzes the scientific basis of religious studies, principles of tolerance toward the country’s traditional religions, and the role of religion in maintaining national security. The methodology, goals, and objectives of the study are shaped by the interdisciplinary nature of the subject. The research examines state and interfaith relations, the development of freedom of religion, its integration into domestic and international law, and ways of resolving legal contradictions, traditions, and stereotypes. The theoretical framework relies on the works of domestic and foreign scholars devoted to …

The Rhetorical Discourse Of Uniate Writers’ Polemic Literature Of The End Of The 16th – First Half Of The 17th Century In The Retrospection Of Oratory's History, Ruslan Tkachuk

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The examination of the poetics inherent in the polemical prose authored by Uniate writers during the late 16th and the first half of the 17th centuries holds substantial significance for comprehending rhetoric as a pivotal element in the stylistic evolution of Ukrainian literature throughout this period. The objective of this article is to explore the interrelationship between the works of Uniate polemicists and the framework of classical rhetoric, particularly by elucidating the functioning of rhetorical figures and argumentation techniques within their texts. To accomplish this aim, a range of literary methodologies were employed. Those methods included historical-cultural, comparative-historical, biographical, structural-analytical, …