This dataset contains transcripts of co-design workshops and expert interviews carried out as part of a research project exploring how second screens (i.e. devices used while watching television) could be used to support engagement with televised political debates.
We conducted four two-hour workshops with 18 participants in total, where they discussed the issues with political discourse online at large and the opportunities for second screens. The discussions were structured around four open-ended topics: (1) content, including value of the content they were given, what made content appropriate, and how to encourage the sharing of trustworthy information; (2) identity, including what information participants would like to share and to see about others, how an online profile can enable trust and respect, and how anonymity affects discourse; (3) communication, including how a tool could support meaningful political discussion during debates; and (4) relationships, including the relationships between users, how we could increase empathy, and diversity within social networks.
Based on the outcomes of these workshops, we created a series of four design
concepts to serve as mediators between the audience and expert perspectives. These were not intended to act as solutions, but rather to encapsulate the key issues within the findings. Simple mock-ups were presented to the experts by the lead researcher with a short descriptive paragraph.
Seven political and media professionals were recruited to give their feedback on the issues and design concepts. Each interview started with an overview of the workshop results, followed by a discussion about each of the design concepts.