Self

Our project Queering the Quantified Self, applies queer and disability theory to the Quantified Self, a discipline that focuses on measuring the body.

The Quantified Self has historically been pushed by healthy, straight, cis men trying to become more productive. We were interested in using similar techniques to achieve different goals: how can it be used for a trans person medically transitioning? A chronically ill person to get through the day?

To support this, we created Self. Funded under European Union’s Horizon 2020 framework, we've been building Self into a full health app. It is the first health to take seriously the foundations of research: experimentation. This, combined with Self's openness to measuring anything (from our sleep to our toe that itches when it is about to rain), means we can start to understand the weird, beautiful bits unique to each of us.

As people become closer to their bodies, we think people will not only be happier, healthier and less scared. We think they will also be nicer to other people too, listening to what their bodies tell them about what is right and wrong and how to be kind.