Sitting in Spokane
Faculty Mentor
Andrew Mitchel
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
4-14-2026 11:30 AM
End Date
4-14-2026 1:30 PM
Location
PUB NCR
Primary Discipline of Presentation
Anthropology
Abstract
Hostile design, which refers to the design choices intended to make spending time in a location unpleasant, has been employed in Spokane, WA for several years. These designs are particularly prominently employed by the public transportation of Spokane, the Spokane Transit Authority (STA). Given the lack of anthropological studies on the effects of hostile design on the people of Spokane, we have designed a mixed methods study to deepen our understanding in hopes of affecting change. We will interview key figures such as admins of the STA, members of the local government, and resistance movements; observe city council meetings; analyze the language used in public documents related to hostile design; and document the physical environment of public transit, including bus shelters, bus stations, sidewalks, parks, and benches. Through this mixed methods study, we hope to contribute to public understanding of accessibility, class, conflict, and the right to rest in Spokane.
Recommended Citation
Monet, Theo, "Sitting in Spokane" (2026). 2026 Symposium. 12.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2026/ps_2026/p2_2026/12
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Sitting in Spokane
PUB NCR
Hostile design, which refers to the design choices intended to make spending time in a location unpleasant, has been employed in Spokane, WA for several years. These designs are particularly prominently employed by the public transportation of Spokane, the Spokane Transit Authority (STA). Given the lack of anthropological studies on the effects of hostile design on the people of Spokane, we have designed a mixed methods study to deepen our understanding in hopes of affecting change. We will interview key figures such as admins of the STA, members of the local government, and resistance movements; observe city council meetings; analyze the language used in public documents related to hostile design; and document the physical environment of public transit, including bus shelters, bus stations, sidewalks, parks, and benches. Through this mixed methods study, we hope to contribute to public understanding of accessibility, class, conflict, and the right to rest in Spokane.
