Research Areas

Information Systems

Information Systems Discipline in the Context of Computing and Information Science has played a key role in the promotion of the vision for the Knowledge Society. Nowadays Information Systems discipline faces new challenges. New emerging technologies as well as matured approaches for the social, technical and developmental role of IS, provide a new context for the evolution of the discipline for the next years. In the same run, Academia and Industry are seeking for convergence in the development and exploitation of sound propositions in terms of Theory, Applications and Technologies.

Social and Humanistic Computing

We are dealing with computing approaches to humanity’s and society’s agendas, and we research in the context of the new emerging discipline which stands in the converging domains of high tech technologies, intelligent systems and human-sensitive, context-aware experiences. Social and Humanistic Computing stands for an holistic approach to human/social-centric design of pervasive, ubiquitous systems, providing and supporting a new era of human/social experience that goes beyond the traditional perceptions of the interaction of humans with IT and IS. Indeed, Social and Humanistic Computinh exploits social and humanistic research for the provision of high-tech services and human-centric systems.

Knowledge Management - Technology Enhnaced Learning - Eduacation

We targets the emerging new landscape of knowledge intensive organisations, which require an integrated approach to the management of learning and knowledge. The promotion of leading edge research in the converging area of knowledge and learning management is treated with a strategic point of view: the fact that the deployment of technologies requires a multidisciplinary approach in which new models for learning have to be built upon effective knowledge management mechanisms. This general statement outlines the ultimate objective.Technology enhanced learning is the best term to describe the domain of knowledge society technologies as applied in the learning context. "Learning for anyone, at any time, at any place" is the motto. With the shift towards the knowledge society, the change of working conditions and the high-speed evolution of information and communication technologies, peoples' knowledge and skills need continuous updating.

Learning, based on collaborative working, creativity, multidisciplinary, adaptiveness, intercultural communication and problem solving, has taken on an important role in everyday life. The learning process is becoming pervasive, both for individuals and organisations, in formal education, in the professional context and as part of leisure activities. Learning should be accessible to every citizen, independent of age, education, social status and tailored to his/her individual needs. To meet these social challenges is a leading issue of research on the use of technology to support learning. In the context of the knowledge society, the focus of research in this area has been set on applications of technologies for user-centered learning, building on the concept of human learning and on sound pedagogical principles, with the key objectives to be:

• To increase the efficiency of learning for individuals, groups
• To facilitate transfer and sharing of knowledge in organisations
• To contribute to a deeper understanding of the learning process by exploring links between human learning, cognition and technologies
• To promote humanistic visions for a better world based on open learning for all

Semantic Web and Web 2.0

We focus on Semantic Web and Web 2.0 exploitation in various contexts of human life and practice. In the common practice of anticipating Semantic Web and Web 2.0 as a technology driven phenomena, a scientific insight is provided, which reveals the practical implications and the research challenges of SW and Web 2.0 in the context of Information Systems. It goes beyond the traditional research agenda of Information Systems and critical themes are analyzed through a Semantic Web and Web 2.0 perspective in horizontal and vertical pillars. The main idea is to communicate high quality research findings in the leading edge aspects of Semantic Web and Information Systems convergence. This statement distinguishes our research from the average approach: Traditionally Semantic Web and Web 2.0 are treated as a technological phenomena with the main emphasis on technologies, languages and tools without similar attention given to theoretical constructions or linkages to multidisciplinary references: Our focus is on the Information Systems Discipline and we are working towards the delivery of the main implications that the Semantic Web and Web 2.0 bring to Information Systems and the Knowledge Society.