Authors: Emma Nuraihan Mior Ibrahim¹ and Juhaida Ismail²

UiTM Shah Alam Malaysia¹ and UiTM Raub Malaysia²

Attending the recent workshop at Participatory Design Conference 2024 at Sibu Sarawak was an eye-opening experience that deepened our understanding of the intricate dynamics at play in participatory design, particularly when working with marginalized communities. We met participants cum researchers from diverse range of background. Our workshop members consists of researchers and community leader from Namibia, Canada, UK, Denmark, Netherlands, Ecuador, Sweeden and Malaysia where they share interesting issues, challenges and experiences relating to the community based co-design. 

One of the standout discussions was about how the priorities in the design process must be carefully managed to align with the community’s cultural and spiritual values. It became clear that for indigenous communities, the design’s focus should extend beyond mere physical or content-related aspects to include spiritual experiences. This insight underscored the need for a design approach that honours the community’s worldview and integrates their spiritual and cultural contexts into the very fabric of the design process.

Another key takeaway from the session was the complex legal and political landscape that often surrounds participatory design projects. The workshop emphasized that these issues aren’t just bureaucratic obstacles but are deeply rooted in the community’s history and rights. Discussions highlighted the importance of respecting land rights, sovereignty, and traditional knowledge when collaborating with indigenous communities. The potential for conflict became apparent, especially in terms of ownership and intellectual property, where the community’s communal views may clash with the individualistic perspectives often held by researchers. This tension pointed to the need for a more nuanced approach that values and protects traditional knowledge systems, ensuring they are not marginalized in the design process.

The session also delved into the challenges of aligning expectations between researchers and communities. There was a strong emphasis on the risks of over-promising and the disappointment that can follow if the design outcomes don’t meet the community’s needs or expectations. This is particularly critical in marginalized communities, where the impact of design interventions can have long-lasting consequences. The discussions made us reflect on the importance of setting realistic goals and ensuring that the design process is not just an academic exercise but a meaningful, sustainable engagement that resonates with the community’s values and future aspirations.

Finally, the workshop highlighted the importance of bi-directional strategies in community-based co-design. It was a powerful reminder that successful participatory design requires more than just technical expertise—it demands cultural sensitivity, legal awareness, and a deep commitment to building trust. The reflections from this session have reinforced my belief that co-design with marginalized communities must be a collaborative, respectful process that genuinely integrates the community’s voice, ensuring that the outcomes are not only inclusive but also empowering.