Home > Research > Publications & Outputs > Seeking public intellectuals in the information...

Associated organisational unit

View graph of relations

Seeking public intellectuals in the information systems discipline: Towards an impact and engagement agenda

Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings - With ISBN/ISSNConference contribution/Paperpeer-review

Published
Close
Publication date13/12/2018
Host publicationICIS2018 Proceedings
PublisherAIS Electronic Library
ISBN (electronic)9780996683173
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Information systems (IS) play a major role in all areas of civic life, giving rise to research problems in myriad areas such as cybersecurity, societal well-being, autonomous vehicles, healthcare, social classification and digital divides. Yet, seldom does IS research find its way into policy forums and issues of public debate. The position of the panel is that IS scholars need to consider seriously their role in conducting and reporting research that influences and shapes societal phenomena and government policy. One way to do this is to take on the role of 'public intellectuals'. Public intellectuals engage with policy makers to give evidence-based input to important policy decisions; influence public opinion; and shape debates around key public policy proposals that relate to their expertise and data. Yet, the pathways to being a public intellectual are neither easy nor obvious. The panel will debate various strategies for IS researchers to take on the role of public intellectuals. © International Conference on Information Systems 2018, ICIS 2018.All rights reserved.