Category: English (Page 8 of 10)

Coffee break again?! Are you lazy or productive?

16 October 2023 / magdalena

Are you feeling guilty after been socialising with co-workers over a coffee for too long? No worries, micro-breaks are actually beneficial for job performance as well as employee well-being. In addition, the length of the break is associated with the productivity when you return to your job duties, and the longer breaks – the better, so to speak.

So, why is it like this? Well, internal (during work) and external (after work) recovery are essential in order to balance the job demands during the day. Simply explained, through recovery, the body and the brain will have the opportunity to mobilise for upcoming challenges. During the working day, it’s great to take micro-break for internal recovery. A micro break can involve a coffee in the staff room, talking a walk, stretching, or day dreaming.

Research has shown that micro-breaks can help reduce fatigue and increase energy levels, leading to improved well-being. They can also facilitate psychological detachment and relaxation, which can help reduce the impact of high job demands. Additionally, taking micro-breaks can also prevent the impairing effects of accumulated strain, leading to improved job performance. They can also be helpful to reload mental resources, leading to better cognitive performance. Which is of highly relevance for us Academians!

So, the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed at work, remember to take a micro-break and engage in some internal recovery activities. Your well-being and job performance will thank you. So how do mine micro-breaks look like today? Well, mostly I daydream back to the splendid ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’, that I saw a couple of days ago.

In case you are interested to read more about micro-breaks the importance of recovery, here are some literature suggestions:

Citations:

Albulescu, P., Macsinga, I., Rusu, A., Sulea, C., Bodnaru, A., & Tulbure, B. T. (2022). ‘Give me a break!’ A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of micro-breaks for increasing well-being and performance. PLoS ONE, 17(8 August). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272460

Demerouti, E., Bakker, A. B., Geurts, S. A. E., & Taris, T. W. (2009). Daily recovery from work-related effort during non-work time. Research in Occupational Stress and Well Being, 7, 85–123. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-3555(2009)0000007006

Best regards

Magdalena Ramstedt Stadin, PhD

Hybrid Work: Software Engineering Students’ Perspective

5 October 2023 / Sofia Ouhbi

Hybrid work models have become the new norm in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, reshaping how we approach productivity and collaboration. As hybrid work models continue to shape the modern workforce, understanding their impact on productivity is paramount.

Hybrid work models combine remote and in-person work, creating a unique set of challenges, particularly in software development projects. In software development, where the demand for faster, higher-quality output is constant, finding solutions within resource constraints becomes imperative.

“Productivity Paranoia” in Hybrid Work

The impact of hybrid work on productivity has garnered attention in various sectors. In a recent survey conducted by Microsoft involving 20,006 global knowledge workers, a concerning trend emerged. Managers and team leaders expressed “productivity paranoia” with only a mere 12% of respondents indicating full confidence in their team’s productivity within hybrid work settings. This phenomenon underscores the need for a closer examination of productivity in hybrid work scenarios, including those within software engineering education.

The Significance for Software Engineering Students

For software engineering students, productivity plays an important role in their academic and future professional success. While productivity has been studied extensively in various contexts, there’s a gap in research specific to software engineering education. To address this, our study [1], conducted in Portugal and Sweden examined the perspectives of seventy-seven software engineering university students. Most of these students, having experienced hybrid work, expressed a preference for continuing this mode of work in future group projects.

Since the majority of software engineering students favor the hybrid work model, our intention is to conduct a more in-depth study. We aim to delve deeper into understanding the specific factors that contribute to perceived productivity in hybrid work environments. This research will explore ways to optimise productivity in this setting, helping students and organisations make the most of the hybrid work mode.

[1] S. Ouhbi and N. Pombo. “Hybrid work provides the best of both worlds” Software Engineering Students’ Perception of Group Work in Different Work Settings. In the 26th International Conference on Interactive Collaborative Learning, ICL 2023, pp 1943-1954.

HTO Coverage: Led by Machines and differing perspectives.

29 September 2023 / Andreas Bergqvist

75% of companies in EU should use AI, big data, or the cloud by 2030. It is one of the targets that the European Commission has declared with their Digital Decade policy programme (European Commission 2023). While a lot of research has been and is currently performed to study AI and work, there is a noticeable gap in the research on the effects of AI and automation on working environment and conditions (Cajander et al. 2022). Our work in the TARA and AROA projects aim to continue to bridge this gap but we are not the only one who currently work to do so. This blog post will act as HTO coverage¹of one such initiative.

Last week, I attended the conference Led by Machines in Stockholm. The conference was the launch of a new international research initiative to study how algorithmic management affect the nature of work and workers experiences. The main focus of the conference were a set of keynotes and panels that covered the need for research on the topic and previous work that had already been done. But, my main takeaway was that it highlighted the different perspectives in play in this domain. The conference brought together trade unionists, policymakers and researchers from different fields which led to that the implications were discussed from macro, meso, as well as micro-perspectives. Coming from human-computer interaction and user centred design, I am used to study the micro-level of how individuals use and are affected by the use of technologies. In contrast to this, most of those I spoke to at the conference worked at the macro-level; e.g. a political science researcher that discussed how policy and regulation around technology is decided on and an economics researcher that studied the impact of AI on changes in the labour market. Others worked with topics at a meso-level; e.g. a trade unionist discussed the effects on social relations and the role of middle management in organisations. The swift adoption of new technology that we stand before can have unforeseen consequence across these different levels. As such, it is great that researchers and other stakeholders interested in questions and problems at different levels can come together and work toward gaining a better understanding of the knowledge gap together.

¹⁾ The Swedish word “omvärldsbevakning” (lit. “monitoring of the surrounding world”) is often translated to environmental scanning or business intelligence. Both alternative translations comes with different connotations and implications that does not align clearly with research in general or the topic at hand. In the case that this becomes a returning series of blog posts, I instead refer to it as HTO coverage as it will provide coverage of topics related to Human, Technology, and Organisation that occur outside of our research group.

References:

Cajander, Å., Sandblad, B., Magdalena, S., & Elena, R. (2022). Artificial intelligence, robotisation and the work environment. Swedish Agency for Work Environment Expertise. Retrieved September 29th from https://sawee.se/publications/artificial-intelligence-robotisation-and-the-work-environment/

European Commission. (2023) Europe’s Digital Decade: digital targets for 2030. Retrieved September 29th from https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/europes-digital-decade-digital-targets-2030_sv

The author has no affiliation with the organisations that organised the Led by Machines conference.

Supporting Informal Caregivers of Head and Neck Cancer Patients: Understanding Their Challenges and Needs

29 September 2023 / Åsa Cajander

Caring for a loved one with cancer is a deeply personal and emotionally challenging journey. For many, it’s a labour of love with a profound sense of purpose and satisfaction. However, the role of informal caregivers (ICs) is not without its unique set of challenges. In this blog post, we delve into a research paper exploring the world of informal caregivers, particularly those who support individuals battling head and neck cancer (HNC).

Paper: Langegård, U., Cajander, Å., Ahmad, A., Carlsson, M., Nevo, E. O., Johansson, B., & Ehrsson, Y. T. (2023). Understanding the challenges and need for support of informal caregivers to individuals with head and neck cancer-A basis for developing internet-based support. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 102347.

The Struggles of Caregiving for HNC Patients

Head and neck cancer presents a unique set of challenges due to its impact on essential functions like swallowing, speaking, and breathing. Patients often undergo treatments that result in various distressing symptoms, such as dry mouth, altered facial appearance, and debilitating pain. This increased dependence on caregivers adds an extra layer of responsibility.

Studies have highlighted the significant caregiver burden experienced by ICs of HNC patients. Caregiver burden refers to the multidimensional physical, psychological, and social challenges caregivers face when caring for their loved ones. Depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbances are common among ICs in this context, emphasizing the need for support.

Preparedness for caregiving refers to an IC’s perceived ability to provide physical, emotional, or practical care while managing the associated stresses. Research has shown that well-prepared caregivers experience fewer worries and are more capable of providing care.

The Research Study and Its Objectives

The study we’re discussing is part of a broader research project aimed at developing online support for ICs of individuals with HNC. The project is called Carer eSupport and is presented in this blog post. It’s a collaborative effort involving expert caregivers, medical professionals, and human-computer interaction experts. The project focuses on addressing the unique needs of ICs to enhance their preparedness for caregiving.

Exploring ICs’ Challenges and Needs

The qualitative study conducted for this research employed thematic analysis to gain insights into the challenges and needs of ICs supporting individuals with HNC. The study involved both focus group discussions and individual interviews.

The findings revealed that being an IC for HNC patients is a multifaceted experience. ICs often felt excluded from the care process due to a lack of information about their loved one’s health status. This left them feeling unprepared and disconnected.

The impact of caregiving on daily life was significant. ICs had to adapt their routines and sometimes even sacrifice their social lives and work commitments. This shift in priorities could lead to isolation and emotional strain.

Carrying the uncertainty of the cancer journey was another emotional burden for ICs. Waiting for diagnoses or witnessing treatment’s effects generated fear and anxiety about the future.

The research also highlighted the transformation of the IC’s role and the dynamics of the caregiver-patient relationship. ICs often transitioned from being partners or family members to full-time caregivers. This shift could strain the relationship and create vulnerability.

Feeling forced into the caregiver role and dealing with practical responsibilities, such as wound care, added to the emotional burden. ICs frequently felt ill-equipped to handle these responsibilities.

Additionally, caregiving often led to a loss of the IC’s own identity as they became consumed by their relative’s needs. This loss of identity could also be linked to changes in the patient’s personality due to pain or treatment side effects.

The study also explored the sources of support for ICs. A strong social network that provided practical and emotional support was invaluable. This included understanding employers who allowed flexibility, friends and family members who offered assistance and even support from healthcare professionals.

However, not all ICs were fortunate enough to have this support network. Some felt isolated and struggled to ask for help or define their needs. The research emphasized the importance of both emotional and informational support, including education about practical aspects of care.

Conclusion

Understanding the challenges and needs of informal caregivers supporting individuals with head and neck cancer is a critical step toward providing them with the necessary support. This research sheds light on the emotional and practical hurdles these caregivers face and underscores the importance of preparedness for caregiving.

As the healthcare community continues developing interventions and support systems, it’s essential to consider the insights gained from studies like this. By addressing the specific needs and challenges of ICs, we can enhance their ability to provide the best possible care to their loved ones while safeguarding their own well-being.

On the responsibility of putting on a show

19 September 2023 / Jonathan Källbäcker

Taking the stage for the first time as a PhD-student.

It’s been a mere three weeks since I started my PhD position in Uppsala and I’m in Swansea, Wales. The occasion is the conference ECCE (short for European Conference on Cognitive Ergonomics). Oscar Bjurling at RISE (https://www.ri.se/en/person/oscar-bjurling) and I got a paper accepted based on a project we did last year, when I was in the Cognitive Science masters program at Linköping University. “Human-Swarm Interaction in Semi-voluntary Search and Rescue Operations: Opportunities and Challenges” is what we’ve named our paper, and it’s a workshop-based study where we had discussions with experts about potential consequences of drone swarm implementation on search and rescue operations.

Having a paper accepted is all well and good, but it should also be presented. Being that this will be my first conference, I don’t really have a clue about the amount of people who will attend each presentation. I feel like it could either be a full stacked audience and bouquets of roses being handed out to every speaker, or just the one half-sleeping audience member glaring disapprovingly at every one of my attempts at arguing for seeing drone swarms as valuable search and rescue team members. With us being 11^th in a line of 15 15-minute presentations the opening day, there is a definite risk that the eventual flowers will be saved for the keynote speakers.

Nevertheless, a presentation is due, and I think that we as researchers have a responsibility to make sure that the ones who do show up to see our presentation feels like it was worth it. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned during my brief time as a university-employee is that there’s always something else you could be doing. There will definitely be people there who are stressed about grading papers, writing ethics applications, or other potentially more important stuff than watching our presentation. Now I don’t plan to completely take after the late Hans Rosling and pick up the noble art of sword swallowing for this presentation, partly because of time issues, but also because I couldn’t see the “It [The Sword] is for scientific purposes”-argument going all too well at the security check-in at the airport. However my ambition is to convince at least somebody in the audience that looking into the potential of drone swarms might be a good idea.

Similar thoughts of presentation responsibility struck me when I, in the role of teacher assistant, presented a couple of ethical issues at a seminar last week. Not only could the students probably learn more about the Trolley Problem on Youtube than from me, but I’m actually standing there claiming to know about this subject to the degree that I could be teaching it to university students.

So when preparing for this presentation, I’m being meticulous about representing the thoughts of the experts we talked to correctly, so that I can confidently argue for our analyses and conclusions, while at the same time taking the responsibility of putting on a show seriously. Because if I don’t bother, why should the audience?

E-Coaching for Informal Caregivers: Building Resilience and Well-being

11 September 2023 / Shweta Premanandan

As we navigate through the complex experience of caregiving, it is often the informal caregivers, such as close friends or relatives, who become the unsung heroes of caregiving at home. These caregivers are the ones who provide the much-needed support and assistance that patients require to live life with some semblance of normalcy.

For informal caregivers, providing care for a loved one can be emotionally, physically, and mentally challenging. They often have to adapt to a new role as the primary caregiver, while also managing their own lives and responsibilities. Consequently, caregiving can take a toll on these caregivers’ well-being, with many experiencing stress and burnout. Interventions designed to provide support to these caregivers are thus crucial. To this end, our recent study identified important unmet needs of informal caregivers and provided design suggestions for a persuasive e-coaching application using the persuasive system design (PSD) model. The PSD model offers a systematic approach to designing IT interventions.

Using a qualitative research approach, we interviewed 13 informal caregivers and conducted a thematic analysis of the data. From this analysis, six needs were identified: monitoring and guidance, assistance in navigating formal care services, access to practical information without feeling overwhelmed, a sense of community, access to informal support, and the ability to accept grief. These needs formed the basis for suggested design features in an e-coaching application, using the PSD model.

However, we found that some needs could not be mapped using the existing PSD model. As such, we adapted the model to better address the needs of informal caregivers.

By identifying the needs of informal caregivers and providing design suggestions for an e-coaching application, this study offers support and hope for those navigating the challenging role of caregiving. The suggestions for e-coaching applications using the PSD model have the potential to ease the caregiving burden, as well as provide caregivers access to the support and resources they need to provide better care, which is an essential factor in improving both the caregiver’s well-being and the overall quality of care provided to patients. This study highlights the importance of providing support to informal caregivers and demonstrates the potential of technology-based interventions to improve caregivers’ lives. With further development and refinement, e-coaching applications designed based on the PSD model could become valuable tools for supporting and empowering informal caregivers.

Exciting News: Our Book Chapter on User-Centered Design and Software Development Processes Is Now Published!

31 August 2023 / Åsa Cajander

We’re thrilled to share some exciting academic news with our community! Marta Larusdottir, Åsa Cajander, and Virpi Roto have authored a new book chapter titled “User-Centered Design Approaches and Software Development Processes.” This chapter has been published in the ‘Handbook of Human Computer Interaction,’ edited by Vanderdonckt, J., Palanque, P., and Winckler, M., and brought to you by Springer in 2023. You find it here. The chapter spans pages 1-24 and is part of the Springer Reference Computer Sciences series.

The focus of this chapter is to shed light on the complexities and opportunities that lie at the intersection of User-Centered Design (UCD) and software development. The authors delve into how IT professionals can better manage the ever-evolving software development landscape by seamlessly incorporating UCD approaches. Topics covered range from traditional software development processes like the Waterfall method to more agile approaches, design sprints and user experience design.

This chapter is particularly valuable for professionals, researchers, and students in the Human-Computer Interaction domain. It offers a robust guide for integrating UCD approaches into software development processes, aiming to significantly improve the overall user experience.

We’re incredibly proud of this academic contribution and believe it will be a pivotal resource in the ongoing discussions and practices related to Human-Computer Interaction and software development.

Reference

Larusdottir, M., Cajander, Å., Roto, V. (2023). User-Centered Design Approaches and Software Development Processes. In: Vanderdonckt, J., Palanque, P., Winckler, M. (eds) Handbook of Human Computer Interaction. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27648-9_104-1

Welcome Back After Summer: New PhD Students and Upcoming Internal Retreat

30 August 2023 / Åsa Cajander

Summer has drawn to a close, and as the autumn leaves start to fall, we are back to the academic grind. We hope you had a wonderful and refreshing break, soaking up the sun and spending time with loved ones.

We’re thrilled to announce two new PhD students joining the HTO team after the summer break—Jonathan Källbäcker and Andreas Bergqvist. We warmly welcome both and are eager to follow their PhD journey.

Jonathan and Andreas will be deeply involved in two of our most forward-thinking projects—AROA and TARA. These projects are instrumental in shaping the future of our research domain.

TARA Project about work environment and AI, robots and automation for ground staff at airports: You can read the detailed post here for more information on the TARA project.
AROA Project about work engagement and AI, robots and automation: Please follow this link to learn more about the AROA project.

This week, we are organizing an internal retreat focused on the TARA and AROA projects to integrate our new colleagues and get everyone on the same page. This retreat will span over two days, filled with intensive planning and collaborative work on the studies involved in these projects. And of course, we will have Fika—those beloved coffee breaks that are a cornerstone of Swedish work culture.

From Milestones to Moments of Relaxation: HTO Research Group Unwinds on Summer Vacation

30 June 2023 / Åsa Cajander

As the summer breeze carries us into a well-deserved vacation, the HTO Research Group looks back at a spring semester filled with inspiring work and remarkable successes. Our team has been tirelessly dedicated to advancing the fields of AI, automation, and work environment, resulting in exciting developments and achievements that we are proud to share. Although we will be momentarily away, we eagerly anticipate returning in late August, recharged and ready to continue our journey towards groundbreaking discoveries.

We are thrilled to announce that Sofia, one of our esteemed researchers, has recently had her application for Docent approved. This significant achievement is a testament to Sofia’s exceptional expertise and contributions to her field. While some minor course requirements are remaining, we have no doubt that she will surpass them effortlessly, solidifying her position as a leading expert in her area of research.

Securing funding is a crucial aspect of advancing research, and we are delighted to have received support for two new projects focused on AI, automation, and the work environment. This exciting development will allow us to delve deeper into these domains, exploring innovative solutions and generating valuable insights that can positively impact industries and society. AFA’s trust in us to pursue these projects fuels our motivation and drives us forward.

We are proud to highlight the success of the NIVA course on AI, automation, and robots at work. This specialized course offered an invaluable opportunity for professionals to expand their knowledge and understanding of the emerging technologies shaping the future workplace.

Additionally, the spring semester has been marked by significant achievements in terms of publications and the dedicated effort put into writing applications for funding. Our researchers have diligently worked on disseminating their findings through high-impact journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters. These publications showcase the depth of our research and contribute to the broader academic community by sharing valuable insights and advancements.

Furthermore, our team has invested substantial time and effort in crafting compelling and competitive funding applications. Securing funding is vital to driving our research forward, allowing us to explore new avenues of inquiry, acquire cutting-edge resources, and collaborate with experts from diverse fields. The diligent work put into these applications is a testament to our unwavering commitment to advancing knowledge and making a tangible impact in our focus areas.

Welcoming New PhD Students: As we gear up for the fall semester, we eagerly anticipate the arrival of our new PhD students, Andreas Bergqvist and Jonathan Källbäcker. Their fresh perspectives, curiosity, and dedication to research will undoubtedly enrich our team and contribute to our collective pursuit of knowledge. We look forward to supporting and guiding them in their academic journeys, and we have no doubt that their contributions will be instrumental in our continued success.

The HTO Research Group is immensely grateful for the fruitful spring semester we leave behind, marked by inspiring accomplishments and the pursuit of excellence. As we embark on our summer break, we encourage everyone to take time for rest and rejuvenation, knowing that it is through such periods that creativity and productivity find fertile ground. We will return in late August, eager to share our latest insights, breakthroughs, and updates with our esteemed readers and followers.

Wishing you all a rejuvenating summer filled with joy, relaxation, and inspiration!

Feedback – the key to success in higher education?

9 June 2023 / Rebecca Cort

I recently took a pedagogical course in Assessment, grading and feedback in relation to teaching in higher education, and one topic that stood out to me as particularly interesting was the role of feedback for learning. Did you know that research shows that receiving feedback is essential for learning and considered the most powerful means of enhancing student achievements? Still, many teachers experience challenges in their feedback practice such as students not recognizing the value of feedback or students exhibiting defensive responses to feedback. In relation to these challenges, feedback literacy has been introduced by the research arena of higher education studies as a concept describing the ability to interpret and to make productive use of feedback.

A well-cited paper by Carless and Boud describes how many students struggle with understanding, interpreting, and using feedback effectively and the authors emphasize that we as teachers need to help them develop this skill of feedback literacy. To support us in this, they provide a framework suggesting that a set of three interrelated features underpin students’ ability to take action in response to feedback. The three features are:

Appreciating feedback: understanding and appreciating that feedback aims at improving the work
Making judgments: developing self-evaluative capacities to make sound judgments about one’s own work as well as the work of others
Managing affect: avoiding defensiveness when receiving critical feedback and developing habits of striving for continuous improvement based on internal and external feedback.

This leaves the important question of how teachers, such as myself and my colleagues in the HTO group, can support the development of these skills in our students. In the paper, the authors highlight for example the use of peer feedback as a learning activity which explicitly aims towards the development of students’ feedback literacy. The idea is that to provide peer feedback exposes the students to the work of others which helps them compare between their own work and the work of their peers. Which, in turn, benefits the ability to self-evaluate their own production. Providing feedback to peers could also be helpful for students to see that feedback aims to help and suggest solutions and improvements.

Another strategy, and something I believe is important, is to model the uptake of feedback in front of our students. This could be done, for example, by discussing how we as academics are constantly exposed to feedback in the form of peer review. We could also make sure to continuously ask for feedback on our teaching, and then (preferably) handle the comments in an exemplary manner and model how to receive and use feedback as a tool for learning and growth.

To receive feedback is something I think not only students struggle with from time to time. However, thinking about this in the terms of ‘feedback literacy’ can be helpful as it makes it less static by highlighting this as an ability – and abilities can be improved. So next time you either provide or receive feedback, see it as a possibility for individual skill development.

How do you work with feedback processes and activities?

Reference: Carless, D. & Boud, D. (2018). The development of student feedback literacy: enabling uptake of feedback. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 43(8), 1315—1325.