HWWE 2026 invites original research papers, case studies, conceptual papers, and practice-based research aligned with the conference tracks and micro-tracks. All submissions will undergo a peer review process conducted by the Scientific and Program Committee.

• AI–HI Collaboration and Cognitive Work Systems
• Design for Informal and Micro-Enterprise Economies
• Health and Occupational Ergonomics
• The Built Environment
• Transdisciplinary Organisational Cultures
• Climate Narratives and Socio-Behavioural Transitions

HWWE 2026 will feature a mix of scholarly and community-building formats designed to strengthen research quality and collaboration:

• Keynotes and Distinguished Talks (research + industry)
• Parallel Paper Sessions across tracks
• Special Sessions / Panels (emerging themes, cross-track debates)
• Workshops (methods, tools, field practices, design–research integration)
• Networking & Research Collaboration Hours (cross-theme matchmaking)
• Showcase Formats (posters / demonstrations / work-in-progress, if enabled)

Conference Dates: 09–11 December 2026
Venue: UPES School of Design, Dehradun

Program Format (Tentative)

• Day 1: Inaugural Session, Keynote Address, Track Sessions, Networking Dinner
• Day 2: Parallel Paper Sessions, Panels and Special Sessions, Workshops
• Day 3: Paper Sessions, Industry Dialogues, Closing Session, Next Steps Forum

A detailed program schedule will be released following acceptance decisions and confirmation of sessions.

Scope

This track examines how AI reshapes cognition, decision-making, and task allocation in workplaces. It invites research on human–AI teaming, AI for UX, Digital Interactive Systems, trust, accountability, and the design of socio-technical systems that enhance performance without eroding agency, dignity, or wellbeing.

Micro Track 1

Human–AI teaming across sectors (healthcare, finance, education, government, manufacturing, creative, entertainment).

Micro Track 2

AI-enabled work design & job redesign (task allocation, roles, skills, new job archetypes).

Micro Track 3

Human factors in AI (usability, mental models, cognitive load, errors, decision quality).

Micro Track 4

Trust, governance & responsible AI (bias, accountability, audits, compliance, policy).

Micro Track 5

AI for frontline & high-stakes work (safety-critical, clinical, crisis response, operations).

Scope

Focused on informal work, craft ecosystems, MSMEs, and micro-enterprises, this track explores how design can improve productivity, livelihoods, safety, and market access. It welcomes research grounded in field methods, frugal innovation, and scalable interventions across diverse local economies.

Micro Track 1

Informal work systems & workforce wellbeing (safety, dignity, tools, workflow redesign).

Micro Track 2

MSMEs & productivity innovation (process, quality, packaging, standardization).

Micro Track 3

Digital enablement for micro-enterprises (platforms, payments, discoverability, trust).

Micro Track 4

Value chains & market access (branding, distribution, logistics, export readiness).

Micro Track 5

Policy, finance & institutional models (credit, insurance, skilling, clusters, PPPs).

Scope

This track investigates experiences of work through the lenses of physiology, ergonomics, health, and workplace design. It seeks evidence-based research addressing safety, comfort, inclusion, and equitable work systems across formal and informal environments.

Micro Track 1

Inclusive ergonomics across industries (factory, hospital, campus, office, retail, fieldwork).

Micro Track 2

Women’s Occupational Health Across Life Stages (fatigue, shift work, PPE fit, sanitation access, risk exposure, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, chronic conditions, recovery and return-to-work).

Micro Track 3

Psychosocial Health, Stress, and Burnout in Work Systems (workload, time pressure, emotional labor, harassment and psychological safety, burnout prevention, mental wellbeing interventions, supportive work design).

Micro Track 4

Equitable work systems & policies (facilities, mobility, caregiving, safe transport, prevention systems).

Micro Track 5

Gender, technology & work (women in tech/design, digital labor, AI bias impacts, future jobs).

Scope

This track addresses infrastructure under stress—extreme climates, industrial risk, energy constraints, and rapid urban/industrial transitions. It invites research on safer factories, resilient buildings, and work environments designed for sustainability and human wellbeing.

Micro Track 1

Safe work environments by design (industrial, healthcare, campus, retail, public spaces).

Micro Track 2

Extreme environments & climate-adaptive workplaces (heat, cold, flood, disaster resilience).

Micro Track 3

Energy-smart workspaces (efficiency, renewables, smart buildings, transitions).

Micro Track 4

Infrastructure for new work models (hybrid offices, co-working, distributed hubs, gig spaces).

Micro Track 5

Healthy buildings & performance (air quality, acoustics, lighting, thermal comfort, biophilia).

Scope

This track explores how design operates as a change capability—shaping culture, leadership, collaboration, and governance. It welcomes research on design methods applied across disciplines to build humane, adaptive, and learning-oriented organizations.

Micro Track 1

Design as organizational capability (design maturity, design ops, collaboration, metrics).

Micro Track 2

Culture transformation & behavioral change (trust, motivation, conflict, inclusion).

Micro Track 3

Service design for employee experience (EX) (onboarding, retention, wellbeing, HR systems).

Micro Track 4

Governance, strategy & policy design (operating models, decision systems, participation).

Micro Track 5

Innovation ecosystems & adoption (labs, intrapreneurship, scaling pilots, change comms).

Scope

This track examines how stories, media, and meaning-making shape climate perception, workplace behavior, and collective action. It invites research on narrative strategies that enable transitions—individual, organizational, and societal—toward sustainable futures.

Micro Track 1

Narratives shaping climate behavior (communication, nudges, community, organizational behavior).

Micro Track 2

Climate transitions in industries (construction, fashion, mobility, food, technology, energy).

Micro Track 3

Storytelling media for climate futures (film, design fiction, games, XR, data narratives).

Micro Track 4

Climate emotions & psychosocial dimensions (anxiety, hope, resilience, workplace wellbeing).

Micro Track 5

Just transitions & livelihood futures (equity, informal sector impacts, skilling, migration).

• Submission portal opens: 20 February 2026
• Abstract submission deadline: 10 April 2026
• Abstract acceptance notification: 25 April 2026
• Full paper submission opens: 25 April 2026
• Deadline for full paper submission: 25 June 2026
• Full paper acceptance notifications begin: 25 August 2026
• Final camera-ready paper submission: 20 September 2026