April 28th, 2023, Maquarie University 

Digital technologies provide their users with a large range of novel opportunities for action, allowing for new ways of agential engagement. At the same time, there is ongoing concern that the omnipresence of digital technologies makes it more difficult to focus on the things that matter to us. This is in part due to conscious design choices to direct the user's attention in ways that can be detrimental to their well-being, but might be due to inadvertent design choices as well. Investigating human-technology interactions requires us to consider the mismatch between idealized conceptions of agency as taking advantage of the environment according to predetermined goals and a more situated conception of agency in which the environment plays a more constitutive role. This conference will bring together insights from multiple disciplines to investigate the tension between providing endless possibilities for action and at the same time limiting attention and agency.

Confirmed speakers: David Spurrett, Jelle Bruineberg, Nick Brancazio, Alex Gillett, Michoel Moshel, Amanda Third

Location: Macquarie Arts Function Centre (Arts Precinct, Level 1, Building C)

In collaboration with The Macquarie University Research Centre for Agency, Values and Ethics (CAVE).