Immunity Passport Service Design
- Project timeframe
- 13 February 2021 - 12 December 2021
- Research area
- Design for Future Living
- Amount awarded
- £136,288
- Funder ID
- UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council
Project leader: Dr Panagiotis Balatsoukas
We apply a user-centred design approach to conduct research that contributes to our understanding of immunity passport services as part of the UK's COVID-19 exit strategy.
These immunity or health passports would allow individuals who have antibodies of the SARS-COV-2, and are no longer carriers of the virus, to return back to work, travel or socialise without restrictions. Their use has formed part of many countries' exit plans. Yet, there is dispute among scientists, policy makers and the public that such interventions are based on many uncertainties that could put public health at risk, infringe privacy and lead to inequalities in society. To better understand this phenomenon, we will engage with key stakeholders to address the following questions:
- What are the possible unintended consequences and risks of immunity passports?
- What are the key stakeholders' requirements, resources, technologies and processes needed in the design of services around immunity passports in order to mitigate any unintended consequences?
Our approach involves interviews, focus groups, online surveys and participatory design workshops. Key deliverables will be specifications for service design including service blueprints and user journey maps.