Social Software
Research area involving the development and analysis of digital technologies (especially software) with the explicit goal of generating positive social impact, without profit-making or direct commercial exploitation. This approach is collaborative, interdisciplinary, and people-centered.
Social Software is an emerging field in computing that focuses on the design, development, and evaluation of digital technologies—particularly software systems—intended to address societal needs and promote positive social change. This area emphasizes human-centered, interdisciplinary, and participatory approaches, prioritizing ethical responsibility, inclusiveness, and community engagement over commercial profit. Social Software contributes to the creation of equitable digital solutions, fostering accessibility, empowerment, and social innovation in diverse contexts.
About the Area Coordinator
Prof. George Marcicano
More About the Coordinator
Research Team
Researchers
Adjunct Professor at the University of Brasília (UnB), working in the undergraduate Software Engineering program on software engineering, software metrics, testing, and software quality.
CEDIS volunteer
Pedro Henrique Martins Silva
Indigenous Language Translator App: Munduruku
Bachelor of Software Engineering - University of Brasília (Brazil)•2025
Previous Researchers
Undergraduate Research
Ana Carolina Costa César
Solution to enable financial donations through DOARTI
Undergraduate Research•2021
Advisor(s)
Bachelor’s Thesis
- 2026
Geovanna Maciel Avelino da Costa, Mylena Angélica Silva Farias
Atloria: A Gamified Platform for Data Structure Visualization in Augmented Reality
Bachelor of Software Engineering - University of Brasília (Brazil) • Brasília, DF
Advisor(s)TopicsLearning data structures and algorithms is a recurring challenge in computing-related courses, as it requires the understanding of abstract concepts, dynamic operations, and specific ways of organizing information. Structures such as stacks, queues, and linked lists require students to develop mental models capable of representing insertions, removals, searches, and state changes that are not always easily understood through traditional teaching approaches. In this context, this undergraduate thesis aimed to develop and evaluate Atloria, an educational mobile application that uses augmented reality and gamification to support the teaching and learning of data structures. The solution was designed based on a literature review, requirements elicitation and prioritization, data modeling, architectural definition, and the construction of a functional prototype. The application was developed for Android devices, integrating Flutter, SQLite, Unity, and AR Foundation, and includes features such as authentication, onboarding, thematic rooms, narratives, mini missions, an achievement passport, immediate feedback, and interactive visualization through augmented reality. The proposed experience organizes learning as a gamified journey, in which users interact with visual representations of data structures and track their progress through symbolic rewards and performance records. The validation process included technical tests, software quality analysis, functional tests, and user evaluation, making it possible to verify the operation of the main implemented features and collect perceptions regarding usability, engagement, and learning. The results indicated a positive evaluation of the experience, especially regarding visual organization, ease of use, and the interest generated by the gamified elements. It is concluded that the integration of augmented reality and gamification has potential as a complementary didactic resource to make the study of data structures more visual, interactive, and motivating. - 2025
Alexia Naara da Silva Cardoso
Indigenous Language Translator App: Munduruku
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
- 2025
Luana Souza Silva Torres
Development process for collaborative projects: the Agromart experience
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics
Current Projects
- Collaborative Digital Transformation Methodology for SPU - Ongoing project based on service design and user experience for digital transformation at SPU.
- Doarti - Project for a technological solution to strengthen donation processes in the Federal District.
Publications and Productions
Publications (5)
- 2026
Geovanna Maciel Avelino da Costa, Mylena Angélica Silva Farias
Atloria: A Gamified Platform for Data Structure Visualization in Augmented Reality
Bachelor of Software Engineering - University of Brasília (Brazil) • Brasília, DF
Advisor(s)TopicsLearning data structures and algorithms is a recurring challenge in computing-related courses, as it requires the understanding of abstract concepts, dynamic operations, and specific ways of organizing information. Structures such as stacks, queues, and linked lists require students to develop mental models capable of representing insertions, removals, searches, and state changes that are not always easily understood through traditional teaching approaches. In this context, this undergraduate thesis aimed to develop and evaluate Atloria, an educational mobile application that uses augmented reality and gamification to support the teaching and learning of data structures. The solution was designed based on a literature review, requirements elicitation and prioritization, data modeling, architectural definition, and the construction of a functional prototype. The application was developed for Android devices, integrating Flutter, SQLite, Unity, and AR Foundation, and includes features such as authentication, onboarding, thematic rooms, narratives, mini missions, an achievement passport, immediate feedback, and interactive visualization through augmented reality. The proposed experience organizes learning as a gamified journey, in which users interact with visual representations of data structures and track their progress through symbolic rewards and performance records. The validation process included technical tests, software quality analysis, functional tests, and user evaluation, making it possible to verify the operation of the main implemented features and collect perceptions regarding usability, engagement, and learning. The results indicated a positive evaluation of the experience, especially regarding visual organization, ease of use, and the interest generated by the gamified elements. It is concluded that the integration of augmented reality and gamification has potential as a complementary didactic resource to make the study of data structures more visual, interactive, and motivating. - 2026
Gabriel Marcolino Rodrigues, George Marsicano Corrêa, Nelzimar Maria Batista da Costa Ribeiro, Patricia Saldanha Marinho de Almeida, Shaíne Aparecida Cardoso de Oliveira, Thaís Garofa Arouche da Silva
Computer program registration certificate: Pró-vida e Eu Me Protejo
Brasília, DF, Brasil
Computer program registration granted by INPI under process BR512026005120-7, for a gamified offline mobile application based on the "Pró-vida e Eu Me Protejo" project's Good Practices Manual, supporting parents, guardians, and educators in preventing childhood violence. Official INPI title: "Gamified mobile application for the prevention of childhood violence, aimed at parents and educators". Rights holder: Fundação Universidade de Brasília (UnB). - 2026
George Marsicano Corrêa, Nelzimar Maria Batista da Costa Ribeiro, Patricia Saldanha Marinho de Almeida, Thaís Garofa Arouche da Silva, Victor de Souza Cabral
Computer program registration certificate: Eu Me Protejo Application
Brasília, DF, Brasil
Computer program registration granted by INPI under process BR512026005122-3, for a gamified mobile application for children ages 4 to 10, aligned with the Eu Me Protejo project's booklets, supporting self-protection and the prevention of child sexual abuse. Official INPI title: EuMeProtejo. Rights holder: Fundação Universidade de Brasília (UnB). - 2025
Alexia Naara da Silva Cardoso
Indigenous Language Translator App: Munduruku
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
- 2025
Luana Souza Silva Torres
Development process for collaborative projects: the Agromart experience
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics
Contact & Collaboration
- Email for information and team contact: georgemasicano@unb.br.