Karin Ehrnberger

The Androchair : Performing Gynaecology through the Practice of Gender Critical Design

Abstract This paper highlights the important role that design plays when it comes to women’s overall experiences of ther gynaecological examination. It exemplifies how the examination can become renegotiable through the practice of a critical design. We will reflect this in the design of the contemporary gynaecological examination chair (GEC). We used women’s experiences as a starting point for the design of an Androchair (a conceptual male equivalent of the GEC), in order to make the experiences critically visible. Inspired by the view of the gynaecological examination as a performance where the Androchair is represented as a prop and was placed on a stage as a discussion object during a public seminar. The Androchair allowed for both critical and multiple readings of the GEC and through that, the gynaecology examination at large. Moreover, it stimulated a discussion about alternative ideas towards achieving a more positive experience.

Visualizing gender – norm-critical design and innovation

Innovation is seen as one of the main engines of economic growth. It is generally assumed to be gender neutral when, in fact, the gendered construction of innovation has been traditionally masculin ...

Norm Critical Design and Ethnography: Possibilities, Objectives and Stakeholders:

The aim of this article is to describe the potential of combining norm critical design and ethnography in a collaborative project seeking to promote social change. In doing so the article will contribute with new perspectives on how design and ethnography can be practised in a joint effort between researchers and organisations. The article examines the following research questions: How can norm critical design and ethnography be used in a collaborative project seeking to promote change towards gender equality in an organisation? What distinguishes a norm critical design approach from other approaches using design and ethnography for intervention and social change? By taking their point of departure in a collaborative project with the Swedish fire and rescue service the authors demonstrate how a norm critical perspective on design in combination with ethnography provides a pedagogical tool for different stakeholders seeking to promote change in organisations. Even though a norm critical design approach like this shares the same interest in social change as more conventional ethnography and design projects do, there are some crucial and interesting differences when it comes to objectives and the collection of stakeholders that will be explored in this article.