In
the 1990’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) was a common PhD topic in all
ICT disciplines. AI is a
broad field providing research training in areas as diverse as
knowledge representation, machine learning, cognition, natural language
processing, multi-agent systems, evolutionary computing, fuzzy and soft
computing, search and optimization, pattern recognition, AI programming
etc. However, a major criticism of AI research – even from its greatest
contributors – is that in the last two decades it made narrow, mostly
theoretical contributions rather than developing end-to-end solutions.
With this in mind, we started to look for a more
contemporary agenda for Information Systems that was attractive to
AI-trained researchers.
Emergent Web technologies – including Web 2.0 – encourage more agile knowledge-based approaches, particularly when developing business solutions. Thus, there has been resurgence in the idea of design science as a methodology in Information Systems that encourages end-to-end system development lifecycles. This methodology is strongly embraced by my proposal,
“.. Design science research is a particular perspective within IS
research, focussing on the development of IS/IT artefacts. It involves
the analysis of the use and performance of designed artefacts to
understand, explain and very frequently to improve on the behavior of
the social system that the artefacts become a part of. Such artefacts
include - but certainly are not limited to - algorithms (e.g. for
information retrieval), human/computer interfaces, system design
methods, management policies, and full system instantiations. In this
way, design science has a clear applied orientation.” Call for Papers, ISeB Special Issue on Design Science
Further, the social media phenomena in the last five years has shown the potential of new emergent and complex ICT-systems, mostly programmed for the Web, that are creating new and organic online business models and new human and organizational experiences that are ICT-enabled. The design and evaluation of Digital Ecosystems creates new opportunities for researchers trained in technical aspects of Information Systems and Technology. Thus, our take on the Digital Ecosystem agenda, when applied together with a design science methodology, involves mature information technologies that give rise to new human experience: this phenomena is equally about the technology as it is about technology diffusion, "fostering endogenous local development, local capacity building and knowledge sharing processes providing tailored ICT services to citizens and business networks". This in turn gives rise to a new emphasis beyond applied-ICT to embrace the study and understanding of the effect of ICT systems in human-centred, ICT-enabled organisational and business contexts. The skill sets that emerge from this study are not constrained to technical ICT but are rather dynamic, hybrid and multi-disciplinary: blending technologies, methodologies and outcomes in new and interesting combinations. The Centre for Digital Ecosystems (CDE) provides a training ground for research students and academics, that it promotes and accelerates industry engagement, it reflects new green-field research opportunities and operates close to industry best practice because it involves a complete systems development life-cycle. It avoids any schism between social and design science agendas because it embraces both equally, encouraging technical staff to reflect on their design IP and the social staff to build IP. It is new, but also complements our research skill sets and is a theme that fosters mentoring and research training. Further, CDE encourages socially responsible computing, organizational diversity and uses ICT to promote equal opportunity and access. Research foci: Five initial research themes have been identified. It must be understood that these were selected as starting points only, and the actual research themes will be open to discussion as new members accept our invitation to join CDE.
Research alliances: Members of CDE would normally carry out the majority of their research within the domain of Digital Ecosystem, however there is no reason why members of CDE would not be involved in projects involving other research groups both on- and off-campus, including for example scientific visualization, health informatics, eLearning and transport logistics. Indeed, CDE will form dynamic and active alliances with other local, national and international research groups in vertical domains and thereby establish CDE as an internationally recognized Centre over time. In particular, CDE works closely with other Centres within the University of Wollongong. Centres with which there are obvious areas of interaction include SINET, Cultural Innovations, CHSD and the SMART Infrastructure Facility. These are named because prospective members have already indicated their desire to establish or maintain relationships with these groups. The CDE participates in the Smart Services CRC. Research activities: Five main activities are:
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