Informatics
Research in information systems
Our research mission is to create relevant and rigorous knowledge on how digitalisation is designed and how it influences individuals, organisations and society.
Research in Information Systems (Informatics) in Lund focuses on designing digitalisation and on the digital transformation of society and human activities. How do we contribute to this transformation as designers and developers? How are individuals, groups and organisations affected by digital transformation?
Our research is interdisciplinary in its approach and has a strong international focus in terms of research issues and general involvement. Researchers and doctoral students make an important contribution to the research at the department and to the intellectual life of the School. We participate in national and international research collaboration such as research projects. We publish our research in highly ranked, peer reviewed conferences and journals in information systems and adjacent fields. Researchers at the department also participate in the popular science debate and collaborate with practitioners in several areas.
Information systems
Information systems (IS) is a bridge between technology and human activities.
In an international context, the discipline of information systems is defined as “the effective design, delivery, use and impact of information [and communication] technologies in organisations and society.” (Avison & Fitzgerald, 2003).
The Swedish university network organisation Svenska Informationssystemakademin, defines the discipline as (own translation):
Information systems/informatics is the scientific subject that develops knowledge about digitalisation and its prerequisites, significance, values and consequences in individual, organisational and societal contexts. The discipline includes studies and development of digital practices, resources, artifacts and systems. Digital practices include management, design, implementation and use of digital resources, artifacts and systems.
This means that the study of digitalisation and digital transformation within the discipline of information systems is always performed in a human context.
Digital transformation
The research at the department focuses broadly on digital transformation and includes both the process of this transformation and its impact on users and society. Some of the specific topics of research are:
Decision automation and decision support systems, Green and sustainable IS and smart cities, artificial intelligence and human-AI hybrids, information security and privacy, the sharing economy, mobile solutions, eGovernment, online learning, implications and design of IT in healthcare, and both the instrumental and humanistic outcomes resulting from global IT work.
Research results from the Department of Informatics have been applied in e.g. health services, crisis management, child health care solutions and banking. These solutions have been put into use at national and international levels, spanning across supporting municipalities to the European Union and specific developing countries.
