Digital Sustainability as a Force for Better UX

About the Event

Wednesday 22 April is World Earth Day and marks the launch of the new W3C Web Sustainability Guidelines (WSG). With many universities committing to carbon-neutral pledges, these guidelines offer a practical route to improve digital sustainability—which also presents an opportunity for better UX all round.

The WSG are to digital sustainability what WCAG is to accessibility. Within the WSG are 21 UX-focused guidelines. In this talk, Emma Horrell, who contributed to the W3C Special Interest Group that formed the WSG, presents a beginner's guide to the guidelines, focusing on those with dual benefits for both environment and UX:

• Minimising non-essential content (streamlining navigation)
• Designing to assist rather than distract (avoiding engagement traps)
• Optimising media (making content more accessible)
• Championing continuous improvement (embodying Lean UX principles)

Drawing on case studies from applying the guidelines to University of Edinburgh websites, Emma will share how theory translates into action and reflects on the practicalities of shifting mindsets toward more environmentally and user-conscious digital decision-making.

For more information, please visit the UCISA Connect Portal.