CHI 2026 Workshop: Body Transformation Experiences
ana.ta...@gmail.com
1st Call for Participation: CHI 2026 Workshop: Body Transformation Experiences: A workshop on How to Elicit, Assess and Support them through Multisensory Technology
The way one’s body is perceived is highly plastic and can be altered through multisensory signals, cues, and feedback related to the body. The emerging developments in multisensory interfaces open opportunities to enrich, augment and transform body experiences in the real-world through the senses. This two-session workshop (90 minutes each) focuses on the theories, approaches, methods, and tools to design multisensory technology that elicit and support Body Transformation Experiences (BTEs), i.e. unusual or novel body experiences due to changes in the way you perceive your body, including among others your body appearance, configuration, location, abilities, and sensations. These BTEs can have profound effects on self-awareness, cognitive, motor, social and emotional effects.
The workshop will foster networking, encourage new collaborations, and expand the design space for multisensory BTEs by integrating research from diverse perspectives. While this workshop is grounded in work at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience, psychology, and Human–Computer Interaction, we approach Body Transformation Experiences as a fundamentally interdisciplinary and plural phenomenon. We explicitly welcome participants from diverse and complementary disciplines—including, but not limited to, psychology, cognitive neuroscience, somaesthetics, design research, the arts, critical theory, disability studies, and related fields—who bring different methods and epistemologies.
In the workshop, we will focus on (i) concrete examples and prototypes, experienced first-hand, and (ii) practical methods for designing, creating and assessing BTEs. Concrete examples will serve as provocations to spark reflection and discussion on the current BTEs design space and envision how future BTEs can shape meaningful bodily experiences.
** ORGANIZERS AND INVITED PANELISTS **
This workshop is organized by Ana Tajadura-Jiménez, Elena Márquez Segura, Marte Roel Lesur, Laia Turmo Vidal, Alice haynes, Frédéric Bevilacqua, Nadia Bianchi-Berthouze, Aneesha Singh, Pedro Lopes, Jun Nishida, Don Samitha Elvitigala, Paul Strohmeier
Our confirmed panelists include Kristina Höök and Mel Slater, who will contribute with inspiring provocations that will support thinking about present and future BTEs with the workshop participants.
** WORKSHOP GOALS **
Through technology presentations, panel sessions with two experts, and multidisciplinary discussions, this workshop aims to:
(i) bring together researchers: creating BTEs through multisensory technology, with those studying experiential effects of those BTEs; researchers from different disciplines bringing different epistemologies and methodologies;
(ii) map current methods, opportunities, and challenges in designing BTEs; and
(iii) envision a road map for this field with future directions by fostering a multidisciplinary community, building collaborations, and inspiring innovative directions for design and research.
In the workshop, participants will share experiences, knowledge and insights focusing on how technology can support and enrich BTEs through a mix of hands-on exploration and discussion. The following questions will guide discussion:
What theories, approaches, methods, and tools emphasize the role of sensory cues in body experiences?
How can sensory signals (e.g., audio, pitch) be used to elicit distinct BTEs?
How do affect and sensory signals interact to elicit distinct BTEs?
How and where can technologies for BTE be worn or integrated in the body?
What relationships do people develop with BTE technologies (e.g., augmentation, extension of self)?
How can BTEs enhance or augment people, including creating novel bodily experiences?
How can BTEs be assessed—through experimental measures and subjective accounts of perception?
What are the challenges and opportunities in designing BTEs that preserve agency, efficacy, and responsibility?
How can BTEs be designed for inclusivity?
What are the challenges of designing BTEs in the wild, their sustainability, and their long-term effects?
In what present and future domains can BTEs be applied (e.g., health, well-being)?
What ethical issues arise when designing and researching BTEs, and which stakeholders need to be involved?
** CALL FOR PARTICIPATION **
This workshop, consisting of two 90-minute sessions, aims to build a community and open the design space for sensory-driven BTEs by integrating research from multiple perspectives. It builds on recent CHI workshops related to body and sensorimotor augmentations, including Body×Materials (CHI ’23), Walking the Future (CHI ’25), and Sensorimotor Devices (CHI ’25).
We invite researchers, practitioners, and designers interested in designing and evaluating sensory-driven Body Transformation Experiences (BTEs) to submit a position contribution including:
A description of existing work; a conceptual design; a position on the workshop topic
Something to be showcased at the workshop. This could be, among others: a concept; a prototype; or a method.
Two discussion points (inspiration in the workshop goals) participants would like to explore during the event.
Submissions will be non-anonymized, and they can be individual or collective.
If accepted, at least one author must attend the pre-workshop activity, register, and participate in the in-person CHI 2026 workshop, and bring and showcase their contribution (concept, prototype, method).
All accepted submissions will be published on the website and as workshop proceedings.
Submission format: a 4 page PDF (including references) using the single-column SIGCHI template. Alternate submission formats such as slides, design sketches, videos, or posters of commensurate length are also welcome. Authors must follow the SIGCHI Accessibility Guidelines to ensure accessibility.
Due date: Submissions are due February 12, 2026
Submission procedure: Submissions will entail a pre-questionnaire including demographic questions that will be used by organizers to ensure diversity in the workshop https://forms.gle/o8iiGQmXVrP9RDdb6
Position contributions will be submitted via email to emar...@inf.uc3m.es using the subject: “CHI 2026 Workshop: BTEs”
Assessment criteria: Works will be selected to ensure diversity of contributions (concepts, methods, etc.) and diversity of participants.
** MORE INFORMATION **
See the full workshop submission https://zenodo.org/records/17964818.
For more information, updates, and submission form, also visit our webpage: https://imbodylab.com/chi26-body-transformation-workshop/