Socio-materiality explores the connections between our social interactions and the tangible or virtual objects around us, often referred to as artifacts. These artifacts are influenced by us, but they also have the ability to shape our comprehension and behaviors. As non-human actors, artifacts can exert their agency upon us.

In software engineering, the rise of complex software systems and multifunctional teams is accompanied by two further trends:

- the growing number of artifacts, ranging from user stories and UI designs to code, tests, and CI/CD scripts
- artifact-based communication between individuals.

These trends highlight the emerging role of artifacts as sources of agency in power dynamics within organizations.

In this talk, the speaker will present a framework for understanding architectures of power. Based on this framework, he will discuss the agency of artifacts we create and encounter during our work. Subsequently, he will share practical ideas on leveraging artifacts' power to enable positive transformations and drive change in software projects.

- 35-45 Minutes
- No technical knowledge required