Co-Designing Reproductive Justice Futures: Intersectional Care-Activism for Abortion Access
Adrian Petterson
Abstract
This dissertation project will integrate Feminist HCI and Reproductive Justice to interrogate how current technologies being used to address gaps in abortion access risk perpetuating reproductive oppression, and co-design supports for inclusive abortion access. My research looks at how the current "crisis of care" in abortion access resulting from the 2022 Dobbs decision is responsibilizing technologies and putting unsustainable demand on Abortion Access Organizations while not addressing underlying systemic barriers to abortion access which were in effect prior to 2022. My project focuses on Illinois, USA, where many abortion seekers are traveling to access their care. I use qualitative methods and design as research to explore how AAOs are currently using technologies, how extant abortion technologies are leaving out particular user groups, and how design can work towards Reproductive Justice futures.