It is crucial to understand how ICT innovation is associated with change in society. Human Choice and Computers – a series of conferences organised by the International Federation of Information Processing’s (IFIP) Technical Committee 9 (TC9) – focuses on this critical issue. It works to shape socially responsible and ethical policies and professional practices in the information society. The themes pertinent to the work of IFIP TC9 are covered at this conference.

IFIP is recognized by the United Nations and other world bodies, with National Computing Societies as its primary membership, and thirteen Technical Committees considering issues of importance through a host of specialist working groups. These working groups include a great number of computing, information systems, and social science academics, as well as industry representatives.

The last HCC conference, HCC11, was held in Turku, Finland (2014). HCC10 was held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2012), HCC9 was in Brisbane, Australia (2010), HCC8 was in Pretoria, South Africa (2008), HCC7 was in Maribor, Slovenia (2006), HCC6 was in Montreal, Canada (2002), HCC5 was in Geneva, Switzerland (1998), HCC4 was in Dublin, Ireland (1990), HCC3 was in Stockholm, Sweden (1985), HCC2 was in Baden, Austria (1979), and HCC1 was in Vienna, Austria (1974).

As Manchester is the European City of Science in 2016 it is very appropriate for the conference, as HCC12, to at last come to the UK in 2016.