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About HWWE 2026
Humanizing Work and Work Environments 2026 (HWWE 2026) is a research conference hosted by UPES School of Design, Dehradun, from 09–11 December 2026.
HWWE 2026 brings together researchers, practitioners, and thinkers to explore how design can create more meaningful, inclusive, and future-ready work environments. The conference is based on the belief that design connects different domains by integrating diverse perspectives, aligning systems with human experience, and transforming knowledge into practical, real-world impact.
Today, work and human environments are being reshaped by rapid technological growth, social change, and ecological challenges. Addressing these complex issues requires collaboration, systems thinking, and a strong understanding of human contexts. HWWE 2026 provides a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and applied research to respond to these evolving needs.
Core Theme: Convergence
The 2026 theme, Convergence, reflects the evolving role of design in an interconnected world. Design no longer works within fixed disciplinary boundaries or aesthetic spaces alone. It now operates at the intersection of art and engineering, humanities and technology, creativity and systems, and intuition and evidence.
Convergence views design as a space where different ways of thinking, creating, and understanding come together to address complex real-world challenges. Meaningful innovation emerges when artists collaborate with engineers, designers engage with social scientists, technologists learn from cultural insights, and human values guide technological progress.
By focusing on Convergence, HWWE 2026 positions design as a unifying force that bridges silos, encourages cross-disciplinary research, and helps shape human-centered futures.
Key Objectives
- Advance design-led research on humane, AI–HI enabled work systems that improve performance while preserving dignity, safety, and wellbeing.
- Enable transdisciplinary dialogue across academia, industry, and policy to address complex challenges in formal, informal, and emerging work contexts.
- Develop actionable frameworks that integrate ergonomics, health, organizational culture, digital transformation, and climate responsiveness.
- Showcase evidence-based interventions and case studies with measurable impact across workplaces, communities, and industries.
- Strengthen global research networks through workshops, special sessions, and sustained scholarly exchange.
HWWE 2026 Conference Overview
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.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Submission Portal Opens | 20/02/2026 |
| Abstract Submission Deadline | 10/04/2026 |
| Abstract Acceptance Notification | 25/04/2026 |
| Full Paper Submission Start | 25/04/2026 |
| Deadline for Full Paper Submission | 25/06/2026 |
| Full Paper Acceptance Notification Start | 25/08/2026 |
| Final Camera-Ready Papers Submission | 20/09/2026 |
Poster Track
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Poster submission date | 10/04/2026 |
| Poster acceptance notification date | 10/05/2026 |
Registration
| Registration | Indian Delegates (INR) | Foreign Delegates (USD) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird - 30 April 2026 | Aug 2026 | Spot Registration - Dec 2026 | Early Bird - 30 April 2026 | Aug 2026 | Spot Registration - Dec 2026 | |
| Delegates - Academia | 7000 | 9000 | 11000 | $350 | $400 | $500 |
| Delegates - Industry | 9000 | 11000 | 14000 | $400 | $450 | $500 |
| ISE Members | 6000 | 8000 | 10000 | - | - | - |
| Students (UG, PG, PhD Scholars) | 1500 | 2500 | 3500 | $150 | $200 | $250 |
| Accompanying Person | Indian National: ₹5000 | Foreign National: $300 | ||||
Committee
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Patron | Dr. Ram Sharma |
| Chair | Dr. Sunil Rai |
| Co-Chair | Dr. Jayasankar Elassery Variyar |
| Convenor | Prof. Bhaskar Bhatt |
| Organising Secretary | Dr. Samrat Dev |
| Treasurer | Dr. Bappa Das |
| Scientific Committee | Dr. Naveen Kumar |
| Publication - Chair | Dr. Abhishek Kumar |
| Publication - Co-Chair | Prof. Vikas Thapa |
| Chair, Branding & Outreach | Prof. Pritharshv Pushkar |
| Chair, Conference Strategy & Thought Leadership | Prof. Debabrota Das |
Hosted By: School of Design, UPES Dehradun
For submissions, partnerships, sessions, and conference-related queries:
Email: hwwe2026@upes.ac.in
Frequently Asked Questions
- 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
