There are currently 1.2 billion websites in the world, which all need energy to be accessible and shared. Video, images, and text are downloaded on the local cache or copied on countless devices so content can be read. Websites, with the same video, images, and text, are stored on servers as well.
We therefore would like our master's students to investigate how to develop and design a low-energy website. What are the impacts on the user experience? Can a website be low-energy and user-friendly?
Regenerative design pursues a holistic worldview in which humans and nature work together to create a livable place/community for all. When you design, you need to take the whole system into consideration. This changes the way how we think about design. If this is something that triggers your interest, and you have an idea for a topic, contact us.
In this master thesis project, you will use the Vortex platform to develop a mirrored low-energy website, using regenerative and user-centered design principles.
To discuss your idea for a thesis, please contact: a.a.gasparini@ub.uio.no
Supervision
We regard the social aspect of doing a master thesis as important as the academic aspect. As supervisors we will offer you an engaged and inspiring environment in the Sustainability Lab as well as access to experts when needed.
Recommended courses:
- IN5010 (Design, Technology & Society) and IN5xxx (Design for Sustainability)
- You may also want to choose one of the following courses: IN5120 (Tangible Interaction), IN5530 (Research through Design) or IN5510 (Participatory Experimental Design)
-
A SUM course is also an option:
SUM4019 – Consumption, Sustainability and Social Change , (spring, 10 credits)
SUM4034 – Debates in Post-development & Degrowth , (spring, 10 credits)
SUM4501 – Achieving the SDGs: Global Goals and National Interests , (spring, 5 credits)
SUM4502 – INCLUDE – Socially Inclusive Energy Transition , (every other spring, 5 credits)
Inspiring literature and websites:
Ceschin, F., & Gaziulusoy, İ. (2019). Design for Sustainability: A Multi-level Framework from Products to Socio-technical Systems. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429456510
Gibbons, L. V. (2020). Regenerative—The New Sustainable? Sustainability, 12(13), 5483. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12135483
https://sustainablewebdesign.org/
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200305-why-your-internet-habits-are-not-as-clean-as-you-think
