Dr Abd Alsattar Ardati
Lecturer
Biography
I am a Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of St Andrews. My work spans human computer interaction, software engineering, and digital inclusion, with a focus on participatory design and socio-technical systems that connect universities, industry, and communities. I co-founded the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility in Open Research (IDEA) Network, which promotes inclusive, community-driven research and teaching.
My academic journey began with Computer Engineering in Syria, followed by an MSc in Management and IT at St Andrews as a Chevening Scholar, and a PhD developing participatory design frameworks for large-scale online communities such as Wikimedia. Alongside academia, I have worked as a Business Analyst, Requirements Engineering Team Lead, Digital Strategy Officer, and User Researcher, roles that continue to shape my teaching and research in responsible, real-world innovation.
Teaching
I designed and now delivering the new Masters-level module CS5034 - Software Product and Project Management, introduced this academic year.
Alongside colleagues, I also teach:
- IS1901 - Information Technology 1 (Undergraduate Evening Degree)
- CS5030 - Fundamentals of Software Engineering (Masters)
- CS5044 - Data Visualisation (Masters)
In addition, I teach and co-coordinate CS3099 - Software Engineering Team Project (Undergraduate).
Research areas
My primary research focus is developing frameworks for socio-technical systems design to address pressing societal issues such as digital poverty and open knowledge gaps, emphasising democratic participation and mutual learning.
I specialise in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Software Engineering, primarily focusing on advancing Participatory Design (PD) methodologies and tools. This includes exploring various PD approaches, such as distributed, hybrid, and cross-cultural methods, while advocating for community-centric design practices. My research also explores developing socio-technical solutions to promote digital inclusion, particularly among marginalised groups. Additionally, I investigate Computer Supported Cooperative Work practices, specifically in Collaborative Writing, to address knowledge gaps on platforms like Wikipedia.
In continuation of these efforts, I strive to contribute with solutions that bridge the gap between technology and society, enabling a more inclusive and equitable digital landscape.
Selected publications
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Designing for care in the Wikipedia community
Ardati, A. A., Miguel, A. R. & Voss, A., 29 Aug 2024, Proceedings of the participatory design conference 2024 (PDC '24): full papers - volume 1. D'Andrea, V., Abreu de Paula, R., Geppert, A. A., Brereton, M., Del Gaudio, C., Yasuoka Jensen, M., Winschiers-Theophilus, H. & Zaman, T. (eds.). New York: ACM, p. 75-85 17 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution