MATERIA
Elderly people and technology:
Ethical and social-scientific reflection on inter-action
Funding:
Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Duration: June 2013 until July 2014
Project Leader:
Prof. Dr. Regina Ammicht Quinn
Tel: ++49 / 7071 / 29 77983
E-Mail: regina.ammicht-quinn@uni-tuebingen.de
Contact:
Dr. Mone Spindler
Tel: ++49 / 7071 / 29 75680
E-Mail: mone.spindler@izew.ui-tuebingen.de
Project description:
The multiple challenges of demographic change are increasingly met with technological innovations, such as care robots, assistive technology for care-givers, intelligent technologies for ambient assisted living, and sensors which monitor body functions. These technologies are not supposed to serve as passive instruments but rather to act as active partners in combination with human care.
The question, however, is whether the technological progress contributes to the well-being of and provides a “good life” for the aged population: How can "good ageing" be defined and what are ethical criteria for technologies which address the needs of the elderly? How do these technologies shape the images of age and human action, how do they influence the interactions between older people and their (social) environment? Which assumptions and preconceptions of those who are cared for and their care-givers are inscribed in these technologies? Which concepts of ageing and care are reflected in the technology and in its implementation in specific contexts?
Project aims:
Starting with questions from ethics, social philosophy and the philosophy and ethics of technology, ethical issues in the contexts of “ageing and technology” are identified and reflected. As a preliminary project it aims to
- map current publicly funded research on technologies in the context of ageing from an ethical perspective
- develop recommendations for further public research funding.
The methodological approach of this preliminary project includes participatory research methods. Researchers and developers of technologies for elderly people and care givers, older people's associations and interested individuals are invited to attend two workshops to share their expert knowledge and to discuss the research findings.
Work steps of the project:
- Initial Workshop: the project starts with an explorative initial workshop with users and developers.
- Literary research: compilation of a systematic overview concerning the role of technology in concepts coping with demographic change and concerning the values and preconceptions inscribed in technology.
- Two pilot studies: the first pilot study ascertains preconceptions of technology developers. The second pilot study examines how elderly people experience and acquire technology.
- Final workshop: at the end of the project an international workshop with developers, users and researchers will be conducted and the results of the project evalueted.
The final criteria catalogue of the project:
Click here to view.
The interdisciplinary research group:
Maria Beimborn
Tel: ++49 / 7071 / 29 77511
maria.beimborn@izew.uni-tuebingen.de
Dr. Selma Kadi
Tel: ++49 / 7071 / 29 75680
selma.kadi@izew.uni-tuebingen.de
Dr. Nina Köberer
Tel: ++49 / 7071 / 29 75680
nina.köberer@izew.uni-tuebingen.de
Mara Mühleck
Tel: ++49 / 7071 / 29 77511
mara.muehleck@izew.uni-tuebingen.de
Dr. Mone Spindler
Tel: ++49 / 7071 / 29 75680
mone.spindler@izew.uni-tuebingen.de
Kaja Tulatz
Tel: ++49 / 7071 / 29 77985
Kaja.tulatz@izew.uni-tuebingen.de