Industry lecture in informatics

Informatics

Informatics is essentially an applied discipline and refers to academic studies of the use of information and communication technologies, also referred to as digital technologies.

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

The interaction between people, technology and organization is central. Relationships between humans and digital technology change due to technology development. This development also has implications for the organization 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 systems perspective is often adopted when studying how information is used, how digital technology is used for communication and collaboration, and how digital technology 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, organizations, and societies. Other names of equivalent departments and subjects in Sweden are Information Systems, and Computer and Systems Sciences.

The Department of Informatics is one of nine departments at the Faculty of Technology (FTK), Linnaeus University. The department has around 30 members of staff. Activities are carried out in both campuses: Kalmar and Växjö. Staff of the department are active in Linnaeus Knowledge Environment: Digital Transformations and in Linnaeus Knowledge Environment: Sustainable Health.

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 department and in collaboration with other faculties, such as Master program in eHealth and the EdTech Master Program. The educational activities are carried out at Campus Kalmar and Campus Växjö.

Programmes given in English

Research in informatics

We aim to be an innovative academic knowledge creation unit within Linnaeus University/ Faculty of Technology that engages with societal and industrial actors to reach responsible digitalization for a sustainable and humane society through research, education and collaboration activities. In the subject of Informatics, research is carried out in various overlapping areas: systems thinking, digital business innovation and interaction design. The common denominator for the research is the study of digital technology use in social contexts and from systemic and design perspectives; that is, how systems and their use can be developed in order to develop and improve individual and organizational activities. Our research activities also include third-cycle education.

Staff

Collaboration

Of importance to Informatics' activities is relevance to the surrounding society. The department enjoys good relations with a large network of organizations, both business and public. This is partly through the student placement projects that are part of all bachelor programmes, partly through collaboration partners in various research projects. We also have a well-established collaboration with Södra Skogsägarna, Interior Cluster Sweden, Enode (formerly HL Design) and the eHealth Arena in Kalmar. Further, the department has a large international commitment through its distance educations and through contacts and collaborations within research being conducted and academic assignments.

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