User Experience (UX) in Digital Developm

This course introduces students to human-centered approaches for designing and evaluating digital technologies in development contexts. Moving beyond technological determinism and the notion of digital “silver bullets,” the course emphasizes understanding users, their communities, and local systems to create more inclusive, sustainable solutions. Through frameworks in Human-Centered Design (HCD), systems thinking, and participatory methods, students will engage with core issues of digital development practice, including technology adoption, literacy, and equity.

Students will learn to critically assess and design digital tools such as mobile applications, platforms, and services, while considering constraints and opportunities in low-resource settings. The course combines interactive sessions in UX and UI design with guest lectures from practitioners and researchers. Coursework includes facilitation and participation, authoring a reflective Medium article on HCD in development, and a culminating group design project. No prerequisites are required beyond a constructive and critical mindset.