Track Co-Chairs
Raffaele F Ciriello, The University of Sydney
Marc Cheong, University of Melbourne
Jade W Brooks, University of Auckland
Ida A Someh, University of Queensland
M. N. Ravishankar, Queen’s University, Belfast
Track Description
Digital technologies – from generative AI and blockchain to social media and platform ecosystems – are reshaping how individuals, communities, and institutions relate, act, and govern. While the Information Systems (IS) discipline has often prioritised firm-level productivity and economic outcomes (Clarke & Davison, 2020; Sarker et al., 2019), there is now a pressing need to expand our focus to include public value, digital rights, emotional wellbeing, and long-term societal resilience.
This track invites critical, creative, and interdisciplinary research on how digital innovation can be designed, governed, and evaluated to serve the common good. We welcome work that moves beyond market-centric perspectives to consider the cultural, ethical, and civic dimensions of digital transformation – particularly in areas such as public policy, digital sovereignty, humanitarian action, environmental sustainability, and youth development. Given recent developments in emotionally responsive technologies – including AI companions and affective computing (Chen et al., 2024) – we are also interested in studies that explore how human–AI relationships may enhance or undermine compassion, agency, and digital responsibility.
We invite submissions from all theoretical, methodological, and paradigmatic traditions – including empirical, conceptual, behavioural, design-oriented, critical, interpretive, and historical approaches. We do not privilege any particular ‘camp’.
In light of sweeping attacks on academic freedom by autocrats worldwide, we especially welcome research that advances equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice. Australia (for now) offers a free, open, and democratic setting for constructive scholarly dialogue on these issues. We affirm the importance of academic freedom and intellectual pluralism, while opposing all forms of fascism, hate, and ideological censorship.
Successful submissions will feature critical thinking and focus on the common good of all stakeholders, especially vulnerable ones. Submissions should balance optimistic and pessimistic views of new digital technology, critically reflecting on its impacts without unduly utopian or dystopian slant. Additionally, they should analyse how digital innovations create value for all stakeholders, considering cultural differences in values, ethics, and moral principles to ensure inclusivity and avoid harm.