carlosalvarezdelavega

PhD Reflections from Year Two

When I started my PhD in the fall of 2019, little did I know about what lied ahead for the entire world. So when writing my reflections for the first year of my PhD, I did not foresee how the COVID-19 pandemic would shape a significant part of my PhD experience. As the world is headingContinue reading “PhD Reflections from Year Two”

Designing the First Humanitarian Futures Exhibition

Overview ‘The Future Is Now’ is an exhibition that comprises of multiple artefacts and scenarios that speculated on what humanitarian operations could look like in 2030. The IFRC Solferino Academy and Open Lab at Newcastle University collaborated with an array of design agencies and curators to bring this exhibition to life. This exhibition is the result of extensive horizonContinue reading “Designing the First Humanitarian Futures Exhibition”

The Gig Economy in Times of COVID-19: Designing for Gig Workers’ Needs

As part of the Microsoft Research Virtual Symposium on the New Future of Work, I led the publication of a position paper on the gig economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is an introductory video to our position paper. Click here to read the full paper. About this paper This position paper explored the designContinue reading “The Gig Economy in Times of COVID-19: Designing for Gig Workers’ Needs”

Supporting Qualitative Practices with Volunteering Communities Worldwide

Overview In 2018, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and human-computer interaction (HCI) research group, Open Lab, at Newcastle University came together in an exploration journey. As part of IFRC’s strategic planning for 2030, the organisation underwent a series of research and engagement activities with its 192 national societies. Part of these activities includedContinue reading “Supporting Qualitative Practices with Volunteering Communities Worldwide”

PhD Resources: Reflexions of My First Year

Embarking in a PhD journey can be overwhelming and daunting, but having useful resources during my first year has been an incredible asset. I write this article from the perspective of an international student in the UK, having the privilege of a fully-funded studentship and multiple support mechanisms embedded in my university and research group.Continue reading “PhD Resources: Reflexions of My First Year”

Engaging Volunteers Globally in Re-Imagining Humanitarian Futures

Overview In 2017, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and human-computer interaction (HCI) research group, Open Lab, at Newcastle University came together to design an online game.The goal was to engage volunteers around the world to re-image different futures and propose what the IFRC needs to change over the nextContinue reading “Engaging Volunteers Globally in Re-Imagining Humanitarian Futures”

Astéria – A 2D Game Design

Overview Global Game Jam (#GGJ) is an event where volunteer-led teams around the world come together to design games over a weekend. Northumbria University, Newcastle hosted a physical event with various multidisciplinary participants within and beyond the school. This year’s GGJ theme was ‘repair’, sparking interest in participants’ imagination to design a game aligned to the theme. OurContinue reading “Astéria – A 2D Game Design”