Beyond Self-trackers: Inquiring Feminist Designs of Intimate Care and FemTech

In recent years, FemTech industry has been on the rise. Ranging from smartphone applications to wearable products, these technologies have significantly transformed how we understand and relate to our bodies. Nowadays, many people use menstrual or fertility trackers to keep track of their cycles, predict their next period, to assist their reproductive or contraceptive decisions, or simply to gain more bodily awareness. In this context, Jooyoung will talk about what it means to design these technologies from a feminist perspective, the potential differences this approach can bring, and practical takeaways for those working in UX within the industry. She will share some learnings from her ongoing and past projects, which aim to reshape technologies in ways that foster more embodied, caring relationships with our own bodies — and further with the bodies of others.

About Jooyoung Park:
Jooyoung (she/her) is a PhD student in Interaction Design at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. Her research lies in the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), design, and feminist technoscience, exploring the context of FemTech and/or intimate care technologies. Through various projects, she investigates the role of technology in shaping our understanding of the body, bodily processes, and wellness. Jooyoung’s work interweaves feminist theories, soft robotics, and soma design methodology to probe on-body touch as a modality of more embodied, non-pathologizing, and long-term mode of menstrual self-care. Her current interest lies in designing touch technologies for and with bodies in menstrual pain/discomfort.

📆 When: Wednesday, November 13rd, 17th30 CET

⏰ Agenda
17:30 – Doors open and mingle
18.00 – Start of the presentation
18.45 – Q&A
19.30 – End of the event

📍 Where: Viaplay - Ringvägen 52, Södermalm