A Provocation for Rethinking and Democratising Emoji Design

Use of emoji is now pervasive in all manner of online messaging and communication. We review how emoji are selected for inclusion in the widely-accepted Unicode Standard and argue that end users are insufficiently engaged in this design process. We argue that this is a timely topic for discussion and call for suggestions to democratise methods for emoji design and selection. As an example we propose our own online platform for emoji co-design and argue that a design approach that engages with user communities more will result in emoji that are flexible across languages and cultures, and are used more frequently

A survey on public knowledge and perceptions of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Objectives The aim of the study was to establish knowledge and understanding of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among patients, visitors and members of the general public accessing health services and to identify public education needs in relation to MRSA. Participants and methods Survey participants were recruited through 15 general practice surgeries across Tayside and through a young people’s health and information project in Dundee city centre and at a health information facility at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee. Results There were 1000 responses. The majority (86%) had heard of MRSA, 59% knew that it is a bacterium and 47% were aware that a healthy person can have MRSA without feeling ill. Those who knew someone who had had MRSA (32%) showed greater knowledge but greater worry about getting MRSA if admitted to hospital. Knowledge of possible treatments was variable, with 7% of respondents thinking of MRSA as untreatable. Across all groups, most estimates of MRSA prevalence were much higher than actual prevalence. Conclusions Public awareness of MRSA and its treatment was higher than expected, mainly gained through the media, but with considerable gaps in knowledge. Knowing someone with MRSA makes the individual more likely to be knowledgeable about MRSA in general, but more likely to think it is untreatable and almost twice as likely to be worried about contracting MRSA if admitted to hospital. The findings of this survey will inform the development of educational packages for the general public, as well as patients entering hospital and their visitors