Actor-Network Theory for designers and futurists
Few contemporary social theory and philosophy frameworks have proven as influential and thought-provoking as Bruno Latour’s Actor-Network Theory (ANT). Rooted in science and technology studies, ANT offers a unique lens to understand the complex web of relationships between humans and non-human entities and their role in shaping our world. This essay introduces the foundational concepts of Actor-Network Theory and provides an overview of its significance to designers and futurists. ANT is one of several methods to facilitate systems thinking, a critical but challenging skill for designers and futurists.
Origins and background
Bruno Latour, a French sociologist and philosopher, introduced Actor-Network Theory in the 1980s alongside prominent figures such as Michel Callon and John Law. Latour’s work emerged as a response to prevailing theories and methods in studying science, technology, and society, which often relied on traditional dichotomies like subject-object, human-non-human, and culture-nature.
The subject-object theory is about how we, as people (subjects), see and understand things or ideas (objects) around us and how those things exist, whether we’re looking at them or not. The Human-non-human concept looks at how humans relate to everything else that’s not human, like animals, plants, and machines, asking questions about our responsibilities towards them and how we all fit together. Culture-nature theory is about how human-made ways of life and ideas (culture) interact with the natural world and everything we didn’t create (nature), especially how our actions affect the environment and how nature influences our society.
ANT sought to dismantle these dualities and provide a more nuanced perspective on the dynamics of complex systems and networks.
Key concepts of Actor-Network Theory
Actants: At the core of ANT lies the concept of “actants.” Actants are entities or elements, whether human or non-human, that possess the capacity to act or influence. This conceptualization challenges the conventional distinction between active subjects (humans) and passive objects (non-humans), emphasizing the agency inherent in both.
Networks: ANT views the world as a vast network of connections. The interactions between actants form these connections, and these networks are the engines that drive social and technological change. In this sense, everything in the world is interconnected and co-dependent.
Symmetry: ANT promotes the idea of “symmetry” in treating actants. There should be no inherent bias in considering human and non-human elements in a network. Instead, all entities are given equal weight and importance in shaping the network’s dynamics.
Translation: ANT focuses on “translation,” which describes how different actants in a network negotiate and cooperate to achieve their objectives. Translation is not just a linguistic concept but a broader understanding of how knowledge, power, and resources flow within networks.
Mapping networks, identifying actants, and discovering roles and relationships is a meticulous process that begins with the comprehensive observation and documentation of all entities involved in a specific context or system. This involves acknowledging human participants and recognizing the significance of non-human entities (such as technologies, natural elements, and artifacts) as actants with the potential to influence outcomes.
The mapping process entails creating visual diagrams that depict the connections and interactions between these actants, illustrating how they form a network. Identifying actants requires carefully examining each entity’s capacity to act or effect change within the network, regardless of its nature. Finally, understanding the roles and relationships involves analyzing the nature of interactions among actants, how these interactions establish roles within the network, and how they shift over time.
This process unveils the dynamic and often complex web of dependencies and influences, providing insights into how networks operate and evolve. Through this detailed examination, one can discern patterns, power dynamics, and potential intervention points to influence the network in the desired ways.
Implications and significance
Actor-network theory has profoundly impacted some academic and professional domains, such as urban planning, environmental studies, and organizational efficiency studies. It encourages a holistic approach to problem-solving, where all relevant actors are considered in the design and implementation of solutions. For example, it has revolutionized the study of science and technology by providing a framework to explore the intricate connections between scientists, instruments, laboratory equipment, and the knowledge produced in scientific practice. It challenges the idea of a linear, objective scientific process, instead emphasizing the co-construction of knowledge within networks.
In the social sciences, ANT has offered new ways of understanding social phenomena and networks of human and non-human actors. It has forced a reevaluation of traditional sociological concepts like agency, power, and social order. In philosophy, ANT has challenged the boundaries between human and non-human philosophy, encouraging scholars to consider the philosophical implications of a networked world.
The 2017 paper “Decoding urban development dynamics through actor-network methodological approach” by Marija Cvetinovic, Zorica Nedovic-Budc, Jean-Claude Bolay highlights the necessity of employing sophisticated scientific methodologies like the Actor-Network Theory (ANT) for understanding and managing the complex and dynamic development patterns of contemporary cities, as evidenced by the Savamala neighborhood in Belgrade amidst Serbia’s transition. The diagram published with the paper underscores the importance of outstanding systems mapping and diagramming by ANT, which facilitates the visualization of urban development processes, actors, and networks. The visualization is crucial in addressing the challenges of incoherent urban management and advocating for adaptive tools that cater to both scientific and non-scientific actors in urban planning.
Interaction design and human-computer interaction
ANT holds profound significance for Interaction Design and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). By framing technology as a tool and an active participant in shaping human activities and experiences, ANT can encourage designers and researchers to think more holistically about the user experience. It could shift the focus from designing merely functional interfaces to creating complex, interactive systems that acknowledge the agency of all elements involved — people, objects, and technologies. The field of Service Design is no stranger to this way of thinking. But with wider fluency amongst designers and HCI practitioners, this approach could lead to more user-community-centered and context-aware designs, recognizing that many actors influence how users interact with technology.
For instance, it could inspire the creation of adaptive interfaces that respond to the changing needs of users and their environments, promoting a more inclusive and flexible understanding of HCI. The concept of usability could expand to include impact to communities and natural ecologies. By appreciating the interconnectedness of humans and technologies and the world as co-actors, ANT could enrich the conceptual toolkit of Interaction Design and HCI, paving the way for innovative designs more responsive to the multifaceted ways humans engage with their technological and natural landscapes, and to our material and psychological needs.
Futurecasting and futures design
Actor-Network Theory provides a crucial perspective in futurecasting and future design by highlighting the intricate interplay between human and non-human actors. This approach broadens the scope of analysis, ensuring that the multifaceted relationships and networks that influence future outcomes are thoroughly considered. By acknowledging the agency of both humans and non-humans, ANT fosters a more comprehensive understanding of potential future scenarios, making the process of envisioning the future more holistic and grounded in the complex reality of our world.
One of the persistent blind spots in futurecasting is failing to account for the interplay of factors across systems. For example, most forecasts of future technology fail to consider both exponential leaps in innovation and disruptions from climate change, both of which will cause sudden disruptions.
Integrating ANT with future study methods like STEEPX Analysis, Forecasting, the Delphi Method, and Causal Layered Analysis enhances the depth and breadth of future research. This integration allows for a richer exploration of future possibilities by combining ANT’s emphasis on relational dynamics with systematically examining social, technological, economic, environmental, political, and value-based factors. The result is a more nuanced, inclusive, and adaptable approach to designing and anticipating future scenarios, ensuring that strategies are innovative and responsive to the intricate networks of interactions that define our world.
Expand your thinking
Actor-network theory (ANT) can profoundly transform how designers, futurists, and scholars across various disciplines approach the complex web of relationships that define our world. By challenging traditional dichotomies and emphasizing the agency of both human and non-human actors, ANT provides a versatile and robust framework for understanding and shaping the interactions between people, technology, and the environment. Its application extends beyond academic inquiry, influencing practical fields like interaction design, HCI, and futurecasting by advocating for a more integrated, holistic view of technology and society. Systems thinking is not natural for humans and proves to be a challenging skill to acquire. ANT offers a useful framework for developing systems thinking skills that will be crucial for creating innovative solutions and envisioning sustainable futures that are attuned to the diverse networks of actors that will shape the 21st century and beyond. This embrace of complexity and a commitment to inclusivity and adaptability make ANT an essential tool for those looking to navigate and design the future in an increasingly interconnected and technologically mediated world.
References
Bruno Latour. Reassembling the Social: An Introduction to Actor-Network-Theory. Oxford University Press, 2007.
Marija Cvetinovic, Zorica Nedovic-Budc, Jean-Claude Bolay. “Decoding urban development dynamics through actor-network methodological approach.” Geoforum Volume 82, June 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2017.03.010
