Clarifying the Compass: A Reflexive Narrative on Entry Barriers into HCI and Aging Research

Researchers Tianyi Li and Jin Wei-Kocsis have published a reflexive narrative paper, 'Clarifying the Compass,' accepted at the prestigious CHI conference's digiage workshop. The paper critically examines the significant barriers that prevent Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) researchers, particularly those new to the field, from effectively engaging in aging-related technology research. The authors, who entered this domain without prior gerontology experience, structure their findings in two core sections: first, an analysis of the observed disconnect between technological innovation and the practical, daily needs of older adults; and second, a personal account of their methodological shift toward building genuine empathy.

This second section forms the paper's compelling core, detailing the authors' hands-on experience volunteering at a senior living community. They argue that moving beyond lab-based studies and theoretical frameworks to immersive, real-world interaction is crucial for developing a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the user group. Their reflective journey underscores a major gap in standard HCI training and research practice: a lack of foundational, empathetic engagement with the lived experiences of older adults, which leads to technologies that are misaligned or inaccessible. The paper serves as both a critique and a roadmap, advocating for more accessible, empathy-driven entry points into aging tech research to foster truly human-centered design.