Why Ethics, Technology and Culture Matter Today
As digital tools reshape how we work, learn, and interact, questions about responsibility and meaning become unavoidable. The recent launch of a public lecture series at Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) addresses exactly this need. By bringing together scholars, industry leaders, policymakers, and the wider public, the series creates a space where the ethical implications of emerging technologies can be examined alongside their cultural effects. This initiative reflects a growing recognition that technological progress cannot be evaluated in isolation; it must be understood through the lenses of societal values and everyday experience.
Learn more about the lecture series and reserve your spot
Overview of the Lecture Series
The etc. lecture series – short for ethics, technology and culture – is convened by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and curated by Professor Taha Yasseri, who holds the Workday Chair of Technology and Society at TU Dublin. The programme runs throughout the academic year, featuring talks that explore how new technologies influence identity, community, and governance. Each event is free and open to everyone, with advance registration required to manage attendance.
The inaugural lecture took place on Thursday, 16 April 2026 in the Concert Hall on the Grangegorman Campus. It featured Dr Rilla Khaled, an internationally recognised design researcher from Concordia University in Montréal. Her talk, titled “Real (talk) > True (talk): Making space for making,” examined how creative and design‑based research fits within traditional academic frameworks and why the processes behind video games, interactive systems, and digital experiences deserve greater recognition as forms of knowledge.
Method for Design Materialisation (MDM)
During her presentation, Dr Khaled introduced the Method for Design Materialisation (MDM), a framework that documents how creative projects evolve from initial ideas to finished outcomes. By making the thinking behind design work more visible, MDM challenges conventional definitions of research while highlighting how creative practices contribute to our understanding of technology, culture, and society. The approach encourages scholars and practitioners alike to reflect on the values embedded in the objects they produce, fostering a more critical engagement with the digital artefacts that shape daily life.
Discover how MDM is being applied in research projects
Broader Impact on Students and Professionals
The lecture series is not limited to academic audiences. It offers valuable insights for students considering careers in design, engineering, policy, or the creative industries, as well as for professionals seeking to stay informed about the societal dimensions of technological change. By attending the talks, participants can:
- Gain exposure to interdisciplinary perspectives that combine technical expertise with ethical reasoning.
- Learn about concrete case studies where design decisions have influenced public discourse.
- Connect with experts who are actively shaping policy and industry standards.
- Develop a vocabulary for discussing responsibility in innovation that can be applied in workplace settings.
For undergraduate and postgraduate students, the series complements formal coursework by providing real‑world examples of how abstract concepts such as algorithmic bias, data privacy, and digital inclusion manifest in everyday products and services.
How to Get Involved
Attendance is straightforward. Interested individuals can register online through the TU Dublin events portal. Each lecture is listed with a brief description, speaker biography, and a direct link to the registration form. Because seats are limited, early registration is recommended. The university also records the talks and makes them available on its media channel after the event, allowing those who cannot attend in person to benefit from the content.
Register for upcoming lectures in the series
Looking Ahead: Future Topics
Future sessions in the etc. series will cover a range of pressing issues, including:
- The ethical implications of artificial intelligence in public services.
- How digital culture influences language and identity among young people in Ireland.
- The role of participatory design in community‑led technology projects.
- Environmental considerations of hardware production and e‑waste management.
- Balancing innovation with heritage preservation in smart city initiatives.
These topics illustrate the series’ commitment to addressing both global trends and local concerns, ensuring that the discussions remain relevant to Irish audiences while contributing to broader international debates.
Conclusion
TU Dublin’s new lecture series on ethics, technology and culture represents a timely effort to foster informed dialogue about the forces shaping contemporary life. By highlighting the work of researchers like Dr Rilla Khaled and providing a platform for cross‑disciplinary exchange, the initiative helps students, professionals, and citizens navigate the complexities of technological change with greater awareness and responsibility. Whether you are interested in the philosophical underpinnings of AI, the cultural impact of gaming, or the policy challenges of data governance, the series offers a valuable opportunity to learn, question, and engage.
