The IDE+A Network

An initiative to uplift HCI research for all of humanity

The IDE+A International Network of Excellence is fighting attacks on those identifying within the Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, and/or Accessibility space and/or doing human-computer interaction (HCI) research on IDE+A topics through an international network that can offer support without restrictions

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International support based in reality

The IDE+A Network is a grassroots matchmaking service that connects HCI students and scholars in need with researchers and institutions that can support them.

We are responding to global attacks on HCI research and researchers. Our community is unprepared. The situation is evolving rapidly and unpredictably. A united, global force is needed to avoid the chasm appearing in HCI research and ensure that the scholars most affected—people with IDE+A identities, foreigners, students, and early-career researchers—are not only supported, but uplifted. We will not be silenced or subdued.

We have a singular vision: Ensure that those with sudden funding disruptions or serious risk to their safety get the support they need and deserve.

Who we are

We are a grassroots team of academics in HCI (human-computer interaction) at various career stages

Katie Seaborn
Katie Seaborn

Matchmaker

Institute of Science Tokyo,
University of Cambridge

Lukas Daniel Klausner

Matchmaker

St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences

Goda Klumbytė

Matchmaker

University of Kassel

Jennifer Mankoff

Advisor

University of Washington

Michael Muller

Advisor

IBM Research

Jennifer Rode

Advisor

University College London

We are a matchmaking service

The real magic happens between the matched parties

For recipients:

  • Individuals in need (students+) submit an application to us, detailing the loss of support and research that they do
  • Individuals are added to a private list for consideration
  • The team will attempt to match individuals in need to those offering support as cases are submitted

For supporters:

  • Supporters (individuals or representing a team) submit an application detailing the nature of the support offered
  • Supporters are added to a private list and supporter profiles (anonymous possible) are listed here
  • Supporters can be listed for as long as they wish

When matched …

  • Prospective matches will be alerted separately with the other party’s anonymous profile and support options
  • If both parties agree, then an email meeting will be arranged
  • The rest is up to you!
  • Only one match will be made for each individual in need (with special exceptions on a case-by-case basis)

Please note:

  • We can only make matches between HCI folks
  • We cannot guarantee a match
  • We cannot guarantee the nature of the support offered
  • We will not arbitrate negotiations or conflicts
  • We cannot help with applying for funding
  • We cannot help with moving people abroad

Feel free to peruse the Q&A or make an inquiry via idea.network >at< proton >dot< me.

Apply

Whether you’re in need or can offer support, submit an application here

I’m in need

I’ve lost my funding for HCI research or I need to move

Apply
List of supporters

I can offer support

Myself and my team have room for a collaborator

Apply
Examples of support

List of supporters

Here is our current roster of individuals and teams offering support

Can you offer support?

We invite applications from those based in unencumbered nations with funding or other forms of research-enabling support to offer

  • Anonymous Tokyo Supporter

    Researcher

    Location

    Tokyo, Japan

    Topics

    Transgender HCI, games HCI, programming languages

    Support Offered

    • Detailed support on relocating to Japan, e.g., identifying candidate institutions, preparing applications, navigating the move, etc.
    • High-level advice on relocation to other locations in Asia, e.g., Taiwan, Singapore
    • Research mentorship via writing papers
    • Culturally sensitive support in English (native), Mandarin (advanced), and Japanese (intermediate)

    Conditions

    • Cannot offer funding
    • Cannot be a PhD advisor
    • Co-authorship on papers

    Timeline

    Now~

  • Donald Degraen

    Lecturer, University of Canterbury

    Location

    New Zealand

    Topics

    Haptics, virtual reality, 3D printing

    Support Offered

    • Support with applying for academic positions (including CV and application building, and interview prep)
    • Applying for research funding (EU and New Zealand)
    • Short-term stays for researchers via funder (success not guaranteed)

    Conditions

    • Co-authorship
    • Grant agency credit
    • Potentially other conditions (to be discussed)

    Timeline

    Now~

  • Timothy Neate

    Senior Lecturer in Computer Science, King’s College London

    Location

    London, UK

    Topics

    HCI, accessibility, assistive technologies, creativity, digital content, healthcare

    Support Offered

    • Placements for PhD students, depending on the fit and departmental intakes.
    • Possible funding for PhD students; however, depends on project and availability.

    Conditions

    Timeline

    PhD entries typically in October, but other dates possible. First offering: October 2025 (subject to funding).

  • Jennifer Rode

    Associate Professor, University College London

    Location

    London, UK

    Topics

    Critical computing with a social justice, theoretical, or qualitative basis, primarily ethnography. Topics: Disability, queer, trans, critical race, Jewish, Islamic, or religious studies. Focus: accessible telepresence robots, AI and intersectionality, and making e-textiles and maker spaces gender equitable.

    Support Offered

    • PhD applications** (self-funded with possibility of supplementary assistantships)
    • Short-term stays for researchers via funder (success not guaranteed)

    **Up to six PhD students. However, at this time, I have no funding. Admission is contingent on providing your own support, including tuition. At that point, I would support you in applying for funding, but note that funding for certain topics in the UK is very limited. Also, a second UCL supervisor needed before admission.

    Conditions

    • Co-authorship
    • Grant agency credit

    Timeline

    Now~March 2028

  • Katie Seaborn

    Currently: Associate Professor, Institute of Science Tokyo | Incoming Associate Professor, University of Cambridge

    Location

    Tokyo, Japan | Cambridge, UK

    Topics

    Deceptive patterns, intersectionality and AI, misinformation, kawaii/cute theory and voice UX, social identity, critical computing

    Support Offered

    • Research funding within Japan (until December 2025) or the UK (from February 2026)
    • Research funding for anonymous online studies with open data sets (quick, simple, and free of most institutional barriers)
    • PhD applications in the UK (some self-funding or supplementary funding required)
    • Virtual mentoring via (re)presented

    Conditions

    • Co-authorship
    • Grant agency credit

    Timeline

    In Japan: Now~December 2025
    At Cambridge: From February 2026

Frequently asked questions

Here are some questions and answers you might have

What kind of research support is offered?

Generally speaking, HCI-related research support. Otherwise, it’s up to the supporter. We imagine anything from sharing research funds through collaborative research, paying for research conducted abroad or online, funding to host researchers abroad, mentorship, collaboration on research projects, joint applications for research fellowships and student exchanges, free use of research material and technologies, etc.

Those is need may also suggest ideas or collaborate with a matched supporter on something new.

I want to help, but I don’t want to be listed. What can I do?

You can help anonymously. Supporters can be listed anonymously with the bare minimum details. Matchmakers can work anonymously behind the scenes.

Is a match guaranteed?

Unfortunately, no. We will do our best to match those in need with a supporter based on specific needs, urgency, and fit. However, we may not have a match, or at least not right away.

What if I have trouble with those I’m matched with?

Life is risk. We rely on a system of trust. We hope that you can work things out or otherwise decide to part ways.

Where are the lists of recipients and supporters hosted? Are you relying on US-based services or companies like Google, etc.?

The domain and website are hosted in Japan, but may be moved to the UK in future. Our email address and the lists are hosted with Proton, which prioritizes security and privacy with end-to-end encryption. However, we may access these materials from computers and over networks based in various countries. Also, our website may be indexed by US-based services like Google. We use Signal, a privacy-focused and encrypted platform, to communicate.

Your ISP may also track access to this website. If you use a US-based email service, then those emails may be recorded, unless encrypted.

Please note: The original plan was drafted up and selectively shared on the Project CriSuS Slack group and a Google Doc.

I want to help (or need help), but I’m not in the field of HCI. What can I do?

We hope that you’ll emulate what we’re doing: launch a matchmaking service that connects students and scholars in need with researchers and institutions that can support them … in your field of study. Here’s what you can do:

> Form a team.
> Decide on what support you’ll provide. For instance, our team is taking requests and offers of support related to ① funding for the continuation of research and ② resettlement, temporary or otherwise.
> Plan how you’ll protect people. For example, we only arrange email meetings after both parties agree. We also use secure messaging and storage platforms.
> Start advertising.

Join us

If you’re not in need or able to offer support, but wish to help out as a matchmaker, please contact us and join the team

Contact