artifactmediated
Artifact-mediated is a concept used in cultural studies and science and technology studies to describe processes in which artifacts—objects, tools, instruments, inscriptions, and digital interfaces—function as mediators of human action. In this view, artifacts do not simply carry messages or serve as passive contexts; they actively participate in shaping perception, coordination, memory, and social practice.
The idea draws on the frame of actor-network theory and material culture studies, which emphasize the agency
Applications of artifact-mediated analysis appear across domains such as everyday technology use, education, design, and organizational
Methodologically, researchers study artifact-mediated processes through ethnography, discourse and interaction analysis, and the examination of material
Critiques emphasize that focusing on artifacts should not eclipse human intentionality or social power. The term