Informatics

The discipline of Informatics refers to academic studies of the ‘use of information and communication technologies’, also known as ‘digital technologies’.

We develop knowledge in individual, organizational, and societal context on how people design and use information technology, such as desktop computers, smartphones, the Internet, 3D printers, and numerous kinds of software solutions, including databases, ERP-systems, or big-data analytics.

The interaction between people, technology and organisation is central. Relations between humans and information technology change due to technology development. This development also has implications for the organisation of work processes and day-to-day life. The foundational assumptions are that the digital products that are developed and implemented should be appropriate for their contexts, be easy to use and be supportive to people in carrying out their work tasks. Therefore, a design perspective is often adopted when studying how information is used, how ICT is used for communication and collaboration, and how ICT is used to support work processes and information exchange.

Informatics as an academic discipline is equivalent to the ‘Information Systems’ discipline in the Anglo-American world. Informatics, in the Swedish context, distinguishes itself from Computer Science oriented disciplines as the latter focus on the knowledge of digital technologies as such, while Informatics focuses on the actual use of technologies in a social context, including individuals, organisations, and societies. Other names of equivalent departments in Sweden are Information Systems, and Computer and Systems Sciences.

The Department of Informatics is one of ten departments at the Faculty of Technology, Linnaeus University. The department has around 30 members of staff. Activities are carried out in three cities: Kalmar, Växjö, and Ljungby.

Education

We offer six degree programmes, including three Bachelor and three Master degree programmes. Several of the courses and programmes are offered by distance, both nationally and internationally. Single-subject courses are also given within the area of e-Health in collaboration with other faculties. These educational activities are carried out at three sites: Kalmar, Växjö, and Ljungby.

Programmes given in English

Research

A number of research interests are carried out by the faculty members, including Digital Business and Economics, Information Management, Design of Interactive Artefacts and Services, e-Learning, e-Health, and Evaluation of implementation and use of digital technologies. A common theme for these studies is how digital technologies, organisations, and their work processes can be developed for improving an organisation, whether public or business. The department runs a PhD program, currently with a handful of active candidates.

Research groups in Informatics

Staff

The staff also features Doctoral Student Fakhreddin Fakhrai Rad, who is externally financed.

Collaboration

The Department of Informatics enjoys good relations with a large network of organisations, both business and public. This is partly through a close collaboration with the Centre for Information Logistics (CIL) in Ljungby and partly through the student placement projects that are part of all bachelor programmes. Members of staff also have close collaborations with the e-Health Institute, and other university departments. The department has a large international commitment through its distance educations and through contacts and collaborations within research being conducted.