Lecture by Fiona Bell about »Entangled Ecologies: Designing Regenerative Bio-Digital Futures«
We are happy to welcome Fiona Bell from the University of Maryland, Entangled Ecologies Lab, to a lecture about »Entangled Ecologies: Designing Regenerative Bio-Digital Futures«. All interested parties are cordially invited to join on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, 7 p.pm. at Bauhausstraße 11.
In light of current environmental crises, Fiona Bell’s work aims to build deeper relationships between humans, computers, and biological systems. The resulting bio-digital technologies are unique in that they integrate biomaterials— grown and derived from biological sources that degrade naturally—as functional design elements. In this talk, she will discuss several biomaterials that she often work with, including: microbial dyes derived from her microbiome that she implement as personalized, responsive, living interfaces; symbiotic cultures of bacteria and yeast grown from kombucha for biodegradable electronics and wearables; and 3D printable bio-pastes made primarily from local eggshell waste that she developed for digital fabrication. These biomaterial examples highlight where bio-digital technologies can grow in the future. She also presents her broader vision for designing regenerative futures; radically sustainable futures in which ecological, sociocultural, and technological systems deeply entangle to foster planetary flourishing.
About Fiona Bell:
Fiona Bell is an Assistant Professor of Human-Centered Computing at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, directing the Entangled Ecologies Lab. Merging HCI, materials science, and biodesign, she develops biomaterials that integrate with digital technologies to create sustainable and responsive bio-digital interfaces for regenerative futures. Fiona is a Rising Star in EECS and an Expert Consultant for the international Biodesign Challenge. She publishes in HCI and design research venues and disseminates her work through art exhibitions and community workshops. She was a Postdoc fellow in Computer Science at the University of New Mexico, has a PhD in Creative Technology and Design from the ATLAS Institute (University of Colorado Boulder), and a BS in Mechanical Engineering.
Time:
Tuesday, 26 May 2026, 7 p.pm.
Location:
Faculty of Media
Bauhausstraße 11, seminar room A
99423 Weimar
This lecture is part of the »Bauhaus.Interaction Colloquium«, hosted by the Professorship for Human-Computer Interaction (Faculty of Media) in collaboration with »Bauhaus Design Positions«, hosted by the Professorship for Emerging Technologies and Design and the Professorship for Transformative Design