Varanasi, U. S., Drobotowicz, K., & Ylipulli, J. (2025). Equity in the Design of Digital Public Services: A Scoping Review of the Definitions, Approaches and Measurements used in HCI. 12th International Conference on Communities & Technologies, 44–57.
Abstract
Equity has long been considered as a cornerstone of public services. Amid the increasing digitalisation of the public sector and a renewed commitment to social justice in HCI, the concept of equity, although considered crucial, remains vague. To grasp the diverse nature of equity, we conduct a scoping review to analyse its varied definitions. We examine its role in the design of public services focusing on the work carried out within HCI, mapping out approaches to and evaluations of equity. By providing an overview of how the community understands equity, we highlight gaps in its conceptualisation and application within the context of digital public services. We offer considerations for future HCI work in the public sector that promotes equitable interventions for stronger societies, aiming to provide direction and clarity for future research and design work that engages with equity.