In 2026, as a complement to the Global Plaza, we introduce the Global Science Program! This is an interactive afternoon session dedicated to fostering global scientific collaboration. Haciendo Piña inaugural theme for this year. Haciendo Piña is about more than networking; it is about forming a supportive, close-knit group to navigate and co-create the global scientific community together. Moving beyond traditional paper presentations, we are gathering regional visionaries, SIGCHI chapter leaders, and community builders to explore the future of HCI through diverse local lenses. It is a space of affinity, where researchers facing similar regional challenges can unite to support one another. The session uses a “World Cafe” format designed to facilitate meaningful connections. Whether you are looking for research partners, mentorship, or student collaborators, you will have the opportunity to engage in structured dialogue and shared storytelling. The session is scheduled to take place as the first session Monday, Apr 13 in the afternoon. For participation, read on!
📣 Call for Lightning Talks
The Global Science Program “Haciendo Piña” at CHI 2026.
Haciendo Piña (United in Science): Are you ready to spark a global conversation in just 180 seconds? We are inviting dynamic speakers to the Haciendo Piña, a special session at CHI 2026 dedicated to promoting scientific collaboration in the global HCI community. We aim to leverage this forum to help five solid HCI projects find international collaborators. Below are the four tracks to which we are soliciting submissions. Participants could deliver their pitch in person or virtually.
Choose one and tell us your story!
📌 Track 1: The Nature of HCI in your Region 🌱
The Prompt: How does the reality of your region (culture, infrastructure, geography) force you to rewrite the rules of HCI?
💡Tip: Don’t focus on the “what” (the app you built). Focus on the “why” and the “how.” Did you have to abandon standard usability testing? Did you have to design for non-text interfaces?
✅ Good Pitch Example: “In region X, the Western concept of ‘personal privacy’ doesn’t apply to medical data the same way—healthcare is a communal family event. We had to redesign our health app to support ‘collective user profiles’ rather than individual logins. Here is how that changes our interface design.”
📌 Track 2: HCI for Sustainable Futures 🌍
The Prompt: How is your local research directly advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
💡 Tip: Connect the dots between the screen and the soil. Be specific about the SDG (e.g., Zero Hunger, Clean Water, Quality Education). Show us the impact, not just the interface.
✅ Good Pitch Example: “Our research isn’t just about IoT sensors; it’s about SDG 6 (Clean Water). We developed a low-cost sensor network that survives extreme heat to monitor salinity in the river Y Delta. HCI work helped farmers decide when to irrigate, bridging the gap between high-tech code and ancient farming practices.”
📌 Track 3: Industry & UX Design in Your Region 🚀
The Prompt: How does “UX Design” actually happen in your region’s industry, away from the textbooks?
💡Tip: Contrast is key. Tell us why “Best Practices” from Silicon Valley fail in your market. Talk about trust, device constraints, or unique user behaviors.
✅ Good Pitch Example: “In our local fintech market, users don’t trust ‘minimalist’ design—to them, whitespace looks like a broken page. We found that ‘dense’ information layouts actually increase trust and conversion rates. I’m here to talk about designing for ‘Maximum Information Density’ in low-trust environments.”
📌 Track 4: HCI Education 🎓
The Prompt: How are you teaching the next generation of HCI practitioners, perhaps with limited resources or unique cultural constraints?
💡Tip: Celebration of resourcefulness. If you don’t have a high-tech lab, how do you teach? If your students view “design” differently, how do you adapt?
✅ Good Pitch Example: “We don’t have a VR lab, and we can’t afford headsets. So, we developed a ‘Low-Fi Spatial Computing’ curriculum using cardboard, mirrors, and old smartphones. My students learn the physics of presence and immersion for under $5. Here is how we teach world-class concepts on a zero-dollar budget.”
🍍 The “Hacer Piña” Pitch (The Ask)
This should be combined with any of the above.
The Prompt: What specific resource or partner do you need to accelerate your work?
💡 Tip: Be shameless! This is a safe space. Do not be vague (“I want to collaborate”). Be specific (“I need X to do Y”).
🖋️ How to Submit
Submit your 500-word abstract and a 1-minute video pitch with this form.
Submission deadline: March 2, 2026
Notifications of Acceptance: March 16, 2026
Questions? Email the Global Science Chairs!
Juan Enrique Garrido Navarro and Shaimaa Lazem
CHI 2026 Regional Ambassadors