A Special Issue of
Computer-supported Cooperative Work:
Activity Theory and the Practice of Design
Special Issue Editors:
Bonnie A. Nardi David F. Redmiles
AT&T Labs West Information and Computer Science
75 Willow Road University of California, Irvine
Menlo Park, CA 94040 Irvine, CA 92697-3425
USA USA
nardi who-is-at research.att.com redmiles@ics.uci.edu
Activity theory emphasizes the interactions between artifacts, users,
and environments. Based on the work of Vygotsky, Leontiev, Luria and
their students, activity theory has attracted a wide international
following. Activity theory was introduced to the CSCW community
through the work of Susanne Bodker in 1991, and has continued to
attract interest from those seeking a theoretical paradigm with
which to pursue CSCW-related systems design and empirical research.
We, Nardi and Redmiles, are, respectively, an anthropologist and
a computer scientist, with shared interests in finding better ways
to design and to understand how users deploy technology. One of
activity theory's strengths is that it provides a vocabulary and
set of concepts rigorous enough for computer science and rich enough
for social science, bridging a gap between two different traditions
which often struggle to find common ground. In this special issue we
would emphasize the practical utility of activity theory, as revealed
through its use in the design of real systems, as well as its potential
to help us talk about and understand situations of use from a social
scientific point of view.
For software engineers, activity theory provides a framework that
raises awareness about the complexity of deploying systems to real
communities of users. For example, activity theory can help identify
communication channels between end users, artifacts outside of the
software system that assist or inhibit end users in its usage, and
ideas end users have for on-going use and improvements. Activity
theory can support the design, deployment, adoption, and maintenance
of software systems. Activity theory empowers software engineers with
a framework for designing for communities of end users.
For social scientists, activity theory provides a rich perspective
from which to view the complex relations between technology, culture,
setting and artifacts. Activity theory retains a strong notion of the
individual, yet grounds all human activity in social relations and the
use of artifacts.
Topics
~~~~~~
We seek papers on a variety of topics related to applications of
activity theory to software or hardware systems. Papers should address
issues of systems that affect communities of users and provide insight
into issues of design, deployment, adoption, and maintenance. They
should inform readers on issues of the process of design, processes
used within systems, and users' interactions with systems in real world
settings. Authors must make clear precisely how they applied activity
theory in their work.
Important Dates
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Submissions due: June 1, 1999
Acceptance decision: September 30, 1999
Revised manuscript due: November 30, 1999
Send submissions to
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Send six (6) copies to:
Aileen Broccardo
"Special Issue of CSCW"
Information and Computer Science
CS 444
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA 92697-3425
USA
+1 (949) 824-1357
All submissions must include email contact information.
Hard copy submissions are required.
Bonnie A. Nardi
Research Scientist
AT&T Labs West
75 Willow Road
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 463-7064
nardi who-is-at research.att.com
fax:(650) 327-3796
www.best.com/~nardi/default.html