About the proceedings

Thanks very much indeed to everyone who submitted abstracts for Include 2005. We were overwhelmed by the very positive level of response – over 200 proposals, nearly twice as many as two years ago. The inclusive community seems to have grown and we are delighted that so many are now interested in presenting their work in this forum. From these proposals an international panel has selected proposals for oral and poster presentations, and for workshops that we felt best fitted the objectives of Include and that would make a coherent and stimulating programme for the many delegates who will be attending. These and further papers were selected for publication in the conference proceedings which will be available in your delegate packs.

The conference has been structured to allow not only for the sharing of new information but to stimulate as much discussion and debate as possible to help us advance the inclusive agenda. Some papers, reflecting an international perspective, have been selected to stimulate debate through panel discussion.

Again the scope is diverse. Each morning begins with a breakfast briefing focussing on an aspect of innovation. Following this, the oral and poster sessions will explore a diverse range of issues encompassing toolkits and guidance, interfacing and interaction, new-build and retro-fit, designing the curriculum, packaging and openability, clothing and fashion, co-designing and innovative methods, case studies, and age and youth. For the first time, we are introducing Design Stories, to better reflect the experience of design practitioners, and to supplement the more academic mode of research. We are also innovating the way in which we introduce and champion the poster sessions, and workshops add another important participative and interactive dimension to the conference.

We have a very strong sense of progress since Include 2003 and feel that the actual results are beginning to have an impact and make a real difference in academia, in the community and in business. We are sure you will agree there has been significant progress in many of these areas since we met two years ago, and look forward to welcoming you warmly to Include 2005.

Roger Coleman, Director, Helen Hamlyn Research Centre
Alastair Macdonald, Chairman, Include 2005 Scientific Committee