The Design of Family Communication Technologies in Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Society

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Family members and close friends typically have a strong need and desire to stay connected and aware of each other's lives. Yet, for the first time in 100 years, almost all countries of the world, including Canada, imposed physical distancing measures on society to curb the spread and health risks of the highly infectious COVID-19. Unlike the 1918-20 flu pandemic, however, communication technologies of the 21st century have allowed us to maintain connection with family and friends over distance. At the same time, we do not yet have a deep understanding of how communication needs have changed during and after physical distancing and the types of activities that family and friends would like to do over distance (e.g., birthday parties, dinners). A strong corollary need has simultaneously emerged to re-envision how family communicaton technologies are designed. My proposed research program explores the design of futuristic and novel family communication technologies (FCTs) to address this problem. I will focus on: 1) Internet of Things home artifacts that inform how family and friends are doing (e.g., a picture frame that shows the health status of a remote family member), and 2) futuristic video communication systems that support shared experiences online (e.g., advanced versions of systems like Skype/Zoom, telepresence robots). First, I will conduct requirements analysis studies (e.g., interviews, observations, focus groups) to investigate the needs of Canadian family members and close friends to connect over distance through existing technologies, how they achieve this and limitations they experience. I will compare differences of experiences pre- and post-COVID-19. Second, I will use this knowledge to build software and hardware infrastructures and research prototypes of new FCTs using human-computer interaction design methods. Finally, I will evaluate the research prototypes through laboratory and field studies using mixed-methods evaluations. Many effects of COVID-19 might dissipate, or varied forms of physical distancing may re-occur to prevent spread of future disease or to apply other lessons learned (e.g., work or space efficiencies). We will seek to identify shifts in technological design preferences and needs that may persist beyond COVID-19 in relation to changes in relationships, reducing social isolation, privacy, and accessibility, gender, age, and other needs. Significant research outcomes will contribute knowledge on new scientific and technical methods for building advanced communication systems that are responsive to user needs. Students and HQP will be highly involved in this work at the forefront of a societal and generational technological shift that can improve the way that family and friends connect over distance. It will also inform companies on the creation of communication technologies that present new genres of interaction and information sharing.