Workshops Mittwoch, 18. Oktober 2023, 15:00–19:00 „Mediated Social Touch. Interdisciplinary Explorations of Digital Touch to Connect Humans“

The aim of this interdisciplinary and exploratory project at the intersection of social science, neuroscience, haptics and computer science/AI is to gain a comprehensive, multi-perspective understanding of the status quo, and the potential of mediated social touch (MST) for connecting humans in a digitalized world (human–machine–human interaction). What is/can be the (future) role of MST for “proximity at distance”, for social inclusion and societal participation in the context of the increasing digitalization and diversification of Japanese and German societies?

The project centers around a three-day internal workshop (October 15-17) in Hakone and a public symposium (October 18) at the OAG Hall in Akasaka, Tokyo. Experts and practitioners will discuss topics such as diversity & inclusion, social haptics/social touch, ELSI (Ethical, Legal and Social Issues) and design.

Tentative Program of the Public Symposium (October 18)
14:30-15:00 Doors open + mini exhibit
15:00-15:10 Opening notes and welcome, “Japanese-German Collaborations”
15:10-15:20 General introduction of collaboration: Conclusions from the workshop
15:20-17:00 Talk sessions
17:00-18:00 Panel discussion
18:00-19:00 Reception + mini exhibit (Foyer)

The workshop and the symposium bring together experts and practitioners from the social sciences (sociology and geography), psychology, neuroscience, haptics research, engineering, and (industry) design. The project is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) as part of the Japanese-German bilateral ‘Initiation of International Collaboration’-Program.

Main Organizers:
Japan (JSPS): Kōta Minamizawa (Keio University Graduate School of Media Design)
Germany (DFG): Nora Kottmann (German Institute for Japanese Studies) and Sakura Yamamura (RWTH Aachen)

Dies ist eine Gemeinschaftsveranstaltung von DIJ Tokyo, Foundations of Digital Embodied Economics, Keio University Graduate School of Media Design und RWTH Aachen. Sie wird gefördert von DFG und JSPS (Grant-in-Aid for Transformative research Areas (B)).

OAG-Mitglieder sind herzlich eingeladen, an der Veranstaltung teilzunehmen.

Nähere Informationen, Programm und Anmeldung unter:
https://www.dijtokyo.org/event/mediated-social-touch/