Hostile Interaction Design

Overview

https://research.qut.edu.au/designlab/https://research.qut.edu.au/designlab/

Hostile interaction design has emerged as a critical issue in contemporary digital environments, where design decisions increasingly prioritise institutional and corporate interests over the needs of users and citizens. Drawing parallels to hostile architecture—where physical spaces are designed to control behaviour, such as anti-homeless spikes or uncomfortable public seating—hostile interaction design manifests in digital systems as frustrating, impersonal, or obstructive experiences. These designs often shield corporations and governments from accountability, erecting barriers that prevent users from seeking help, lodging complaints, or understanding complex processes.

Examples abound, from "noreply" email addresses and automated chatbots to government-sanctioned oppression systems like Australia’s Robodebt scheme, which used algorithmic comparisons to erroneously and illegally claim debts from welfare recipients. Such systems amplify inequity and harm, turning interaction design from a user-centred practice into a tool of exploitation and control. Similarly, social media platforms have come under scrutiny for their opaque processes that make it difficult for users to report impersonation, harassment, or misinformation effectively, leaving them vulnerable to further harm.

This research recognises that hostile interaction design is not a trivial inconvenience but a systemic issue with far-reaching consequences for equity, trust, and societal wellbeing. It poses urgent questions about the evolution of interaction design: Has it always been hostile? If not, how did this shift occur? More importantly, what role do designers play in perpetuating these dynamics, and how can the field pivot towards more inclusive and just practices? Drawing on frameworks such as Value Sensitive Design, Care-full Design, and Activist HCI, this project seeks to explore solutions that emphasise empathy, accountability, and systemic change. It is not merely a matter of improving user experience; it is a call to action for the design community to rethink its priorities and work towards fostering justice, inclusivity, and planetary wellbeing.

Research activities

The PhD student will engage in some or all of the following activities:

• Conduct case studies of hostile interaction design in various sectors, including corporate customer service systems, government welfare schemes, and digital platforms.
• Categorise and create a taxonomy of hostile interaction design patterns, documenting their strategies and motivations.
• Analyse user experiences and the psychological, social, and economic harm caused by hostile designs.
• Engage with affected communities through interviews, focus groups, and design workshops to capture first-hand accounts.
• Critically examine the role of policy, legislation and regulation in addressing hostile interaction design.
• Propose alternative design principles and ethical frameworks to counter hostile practices.
• Collaborate with industry and advocacy groups to test and evaluate proposed solutions.

Outcomes

The project aims to achieve several key outcomes:

• A comprehensive taxonomy of hostile interaction design strategies and tactics.
• An evaluation of the personal and collective harm caused by these practices.
• Policy and regulatory recommendations to safeguard user rights and prevent exploitative design practices.
• Development of ethical guidelines and actionable design principles for human-centred interaction design.
• Contributions to scholarly discourse at the intersection of interaction design, ethics, and social justice.

Skills and experience

Ideal candidates should bring the following skills and experience:

• A background in interaction design, human-computer interaction, critical data studies, computer science, digital media studies, or related fields.
• Experience with qualitative research methods.
• Strong analytical skills, particularly in analysing user experience and interface design.
• Familiarity with policy analysis and regulatory frameworks is a plus.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for academic and non-academic audiences.
• A keen interest in social justice, consumer advocacy, and ethical design practices.

Scholarships

You may be eligible to apply for a research scholarship.

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Keywords

• Hostile interaction design
• Human-computer interaction (HCI)
• Digital ethics
• Corporate design practices
• Government systems
• Consumer advocacy
• Design justice
• Regulatory frameworks
• Social impact of technology

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information.