This project developed REConnect, a methodology for technology design that positions the human connection as central to the understanding of lived experiences where impact is sought, and advocates for a human-centered participatory RE approach “that matters” to the communities and beneficiaries involved, ensuring alignment with their values and aspirations.
Drawing on three case studies of technology development for societal impact – BloodSync in rural Nepal, Herluma supporting women at risk of homelessness in Canada, and BridgingRoots to revitalize Indigenous languages in the Canadian Arctic – REConnect includes three key principles of building trusting relationships, co-designing with and alongside community members, and empowering users as agents of change. The methodology ensures that technology design is culturally grounded, socially legitimate, and sustainable beyond system delivery.