Participatory Design as the Temporal Flow of Coalescing Participatory Lines

Abstract This paper argues that the existing literature on participatory design (PD) tends to focus frontstage interactions (workshops, participants, methodologies, techniques, etc.) facilitate PD ‘here and now’—referred as interactional approach . In contrast, proposes contribute an evolving literature, referred transformational , takes a more longitudinal line which attends both backstage within extended temporal frame. To do this draws work of social anthropologist Tim Ingold, in particular, his concept happening ongoing life bundle flowing lines. The becomes possible when participation is conceived set corresponding (or coalescing) conditioning lines flow—each with its own history, attentionality, rhythms, tempos so forth. illustrate what reorientation might mean for in-depth action research study initiative sought develop digital service address loneliness isolation rural location UK. explores how project members, individual non-governmental organisation, government representatives, evaluators funders co-responded each other not) they engaged, or became implicated, process. concludes some practical implications such Ingoldian development methodology.