From a Glimpse into the Future to Present Realties: Technologies for Life with Type 1 Diabetes
Clara-Maria Barth, University of Zurich
Thursday 29th January 2026. 13:00-14:00 GMT. Buncar.
For individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D), futures of care promise to ease their burden through automation and prediction. From advances in continuous glucose monitoring and predictions to automated insulin delivery systems, emergent technologies create exciting opportunities for researchers and individuals living with T1D alike. But to what extent do these promises reflect the realities of everyday life with T1D? In this talk, I first present my work on the lived experience of blood glucose prediction technologies. I explore what it means if individuals can take a glimpse into their future: how individuals interpret predictions, negotiate uncertainty and engagement, and highlight the emotional challenges of predictions. I then turn to the realities of current automated insulin delivery system use, focusing on the experiences of menstruating individuals. Reflecting on this ongoing work, I highlight the additional work and burden menstruating individuals carry in trying to fit technologies to their changing needs. Through this talk, I reflect on what it means to design technologies not just for diabetes self-management but for living with T1D.
Speaker Bio
Clara-Maria Barth is a Ph.D. candidate at the People and Computing Lab at the University of Zurich. She is funded through the excellence program of the Digital Society Initiative and a member of its health community. Her research focuses on the lived experience of technologies for individuals with type 1 diabetes, including predictive systems and hybrid closed loop systems. Her work is based on close collaborations with individuals living with T1D and several national diabetes centers.