Author: carlosalvarezdelavega
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PhD Reflections from Year Two
When I started my Ph.D. in the fall of 2019, little did I know about what awaited the entire world. So when writing my reflections for the first year of my Ph.D., I did not foresee how the COVID-19 pandemic would shape a significant part of my Ph.D. experience. As the world is heading into a […]
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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 horizon […]
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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 design […]
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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 included […]
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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. […]
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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 next […]
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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. Our […]
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Why I deleted my dating apps before turning 25?
I originally posted this blog on Medium. When you are in your 20s, social pressure and emotional conflicts not only challenge what you thought you knew about the world but also open a spectrum of possibilities to rediscover yourself. A number of existential questions overwhelmed me, such as what do I want to do with […]
Carlos Alvarez 