Appealing participants' engagement drives collaborative systems to enhance it through system's use or through system's design. However, engaging participants in collaborative systems to create digital resources is not trivial to achieve as the majority of contributions are provided by a very small percentage of engaged participants. In the literature, different approaches, such as human-in-the-loop and co-design, investigate engagement in these lines. This thesis aims to study how reflexivity can help designers to investigate participants' engagement in co-design of collaborative systems. Based on a qualitative approach, the thesis is positioned in the field of Human Computer Interaction and grounded on two studies. The retrospective analysis of the two studies was guided through a framework composed of three phases. In the first phase, supported by the literature review, several qualitative methods were investigated to identify the communities to be involved in the research; in the second phase, different co-design sessions were conducted with participants; and in the third phase, participants evaluated the solutions co-designed. The two studies followed different but intertwined approaches. Study 1 followed a user-centric approach and supported the identification and consolidation of a set of factors that hindered or facilitated engagement. The factors were articulated as barriers, drivers, and workarounds, and were validated in Study 2, which followed a participative approach. These factors constitute the first contribution of this thesis. Moreover, the literature review and the empirical data supported the identification of three dimensions to facilitate the adoption of a reflexive approach in co-design. These dimensions correspond to the second contribution of this thesis. Finally, the set of barriers, drivers, and workarounds was merged with the dimensions to propose a framework to investigate engagement in co-design of collaborative systems, constituting the third contribution of this thesis.

African Americans (AA) are twice as likely as White Americans (WA) to experience diabetes-related foot amputation due to foot ulcers. Foot ulcers are often caused by high plantar pressure, and several factors can impact plantar loading. Thus, there is a need to determine if race is a significant predictor of plantar loading. Additionally, with the current state of racial health disparities there is a need to determine racial differences in research engagement and mistrust between AA and WA. Data was collected from 107 participants, aged 18-30, in this Institutional Review Board approved study. An EMED pressure-measurement system (Novel Electronics, St. Paul, MN, USA) was used to collect plantar loading data. Additional measurements collected from each participant included arch height index (AHI), standing height, gait speed, and weight. Participants also completed two surveys focused on research engagement and research mistrust. A multiple linear regression was used to test if race and other factors significantly predicted plantar loading. Non-parametric tests were used to test if there were significant differences in research engagement and mistrust between AA and WA. The analysis determined that race was a significant predictor for plantar loading, along with age, AHI, gait speed, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Additionally, it was found that research engagement practices and feelings of research mistrust differed significantly between AA and WA young adults. These findings could improve our understanding as to why AA are more likely to have diabetic foot ulcers than WA, and why AA are less likely to participate in research than WA. / M.S. / African Americans (AA) are twice as likely than White Americans (WA) to experience diabetes-related foot amputation due to foot ulcers. Foot ulcers are often caused by high plantar pressure, and several factors can alter plantar loading. Thus, there is a need to determine if race is a significant predictor of plantar loading. Additionally, with the current state of racial health disparities, there is a need to determine racial differences in research engagement and mistrust between AA and WA. Data was collected from 107 participants, aged 18-30. A pressure-measurement system was used to collect plantar loading data in seven regions of the foot during self-selected speed walking. The measurements collected from each participant, included arch height, standing height, gait speed, and weight. Participants were also asked to complete two surveys focused on research engagement and research mistrust. We used this data to evaluate if race and other factors predicted plantar loading and to compare survey responses between AA and WA. It was found that race, age, arch height, gait speed, sex, and BMI were considered significant predictor variables for plantar loading measures. Additionally, research engagement practices and feelings of research mistrust differed significantly between this younger sample of AA and WA. These findings help to improve our understanding of why AA are more likely to have diabetic foot ulcers than WA, and why AA are less likely to participate in research than WA, even as young adults.

In collaboration with Elders, this study explores the great need for their meaningful partnership in STBBI (sexually transmitted and/or bloodborne infections) research. / Indigenous Elders are highly regarded as community leaders, traditional healers, and experts of Indigenous cultures and knowledges (Clark & Wylie 2021; Hadjipavlou et al., 2018; Lessard et al., 2021). The meaningful partnership of Elders in Indigenous STBBI (sexually transmitted and/or bloodborne infections) research has become increasingly recognized as an integral part of developing decolonial research processes, ensuring the implementation of Indigenous methods in STBBI research, and increasing the sexual health and wellbeing of Inuit, Métis, and First Nations communities through the development of culturally and ethically responsive research (Flicker et al., 2015; Hillier 2020; O’Brien et al., 2020). This study sought to expand upon and connect current literature with the expertise and guidance of Indigenous Elders who have been involved in STBBI research. Thirteen Elders were recruited nationwide to participate in three virtual Talking Circles to explore their meaningful partnership in Indigenous STBBI research and to offer guidance to researchers on how to strengthen these research partnerships in the future. Five overarching themes emerged from the thematic analysis of these Talking Circles: (1) Understanding the historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism and the need to decolonize STBBI research; (2) Prioritizing the knowledge and lived experience of Elders and Indigenous people living with STBBI throughout the research process; (3) Centering spirituality and ceremony in Indigenous STBBI research; (4) The importance of implementing Indigenous methodologies in STBBI research; and (5) Foregrounding Indigenous ways of being, knowing, and doing in STBBI research. This study offers future Indigenous STBBI researchers a robust foundation to build meaningful research partnerships with Elders to improve STBBI research and benefit the sexual health and wellbeing of Métis, Inuit, and First Nations communities. / Thesis / Master of Social Work (MSW)