These two card decks are designed to be tools to reflect on what sustainability means in relation to digital technology and technology reserach and design practice. They build on a theoretical and methodological framework the “Circles of Sustainability” (James 2015). The cards understand sustainability both as a holistic concept while also offering specific questions to talk about its aspects. Each card deck consist of 28 perspective cards, grouped in four domains (ecology, economy, politics, and culture). Domains are colour coded. When printed, the back of each card also illustrates its domain. Each card consists of a question summarising this particular perspective on sustainability. It also includes four sub-questions, representing different aspects of this perspective. Depending on the card deck version, the questions focus on a digital technology (artefact) or on research and design projects and programmes (practices). The cards can be used in real-life or virtual workshop settings. “Players” are invited to use the cards to reflect on the sustainability of a specific technology or project. In turns, they pick a card to discuss it with others.
We trialled the technology cards at Mozilla Festival 2022 with 12 participants. In groups of three they discussed digital archives in relation to mental health, the impact of smartphones on our physical health and on our transport infrastructure, and the impact of cryptocurrencies on diverse communities.
We are currently creating the research card, which we are co-designing with researchers in the fields of Human-Computer Interaction.
Reference: James, P. (2015). Urban Sustainability in Theory and Practice: Circles of Sustainability. Routledge.
Early sketch of the ecology card.
The card deck can be printed out or used online.
Use of the card deck at Mozilla Festival 2022.
Download the Booklet
The booklet contains further background information and instructions how to print and use the cards.
Download the Technology Cards
Download the Research Cards
If you would like more information, give feedback, or collaborate with us, please get in touch with Sebastian or Henry.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
