Pacific Information Systems Workshop
Hosted by Auckland University of Technology, November 27-28, 2025, in Auckland, New Zealand
We are excited to announce the inaugural Pacific Information Systems Workshop, designed to serve as a platform for scholars engaged in the study of information systems across the Pacific region. The objectives of the workshop are to:
- Strengthen the network of researchers exploring Information Systems in the Pacific.
- Offer researchers, including those at early stages of their careers, the chance to present their work, gain valuable insights, and receive feedback.
- Provide support to PhD candidates, Master’s students, and Early Career Researchers by connecting them with senior scholars and offering guidance.
While the focus is primarily on Information Systems in contexts such as emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, Global Development, Design Integration, and Educational Technologies, we welcome contributions from a variety of related domains, all with a common thread of enhancing the understanding and application of Information Systems within the Pacific arena.
Workshop Program
The workshop is designed to foster discussion, networking, and professional development opportunities, including:
- A keynote by Professor Ioana Chan Mow, from the National University of Samoa on “Information Systems Research in the Pacific: Challenges and Opportunities”.
- Opportunity for participants to present their papers and research in progress, share insights, and receive feedback from peers.
- Round tables and sessions focused on supporting research development and advancing participants’ papers towards publication readiness.
- Discussions aimed at enhancing career prospects, particularly beneficial for PhD candidates, Masters students, and Early Career Researchers.
- An overview of key Information Systems institutions such as the Australasian Association for Information Systems (AAIS) by Professor Rodney Clarke, the Australasian Journal for Information Systems (AJIS) by Professor Michael Davern and Associate Professor Stuart Black, and the Association for Information Systems (AIS) by Professor Andrew Burton-Jones.
We plan for the workshop to be held as an in-person event. However, we aim to run one afternoon as a hybrid event to engage wider participation. A workshop program will be shared with all participants prior to the workshop.
Workshop Support and Travel Stipends
The workshop is supported by Auckland University of Technology. In recognition of the importance of diverse perspectives in the field, we are pleased to offer nine travel stipends (a maximum of $1,500 NZD based on actual expenses) to participants from the Pacific Islands, intended to help cover the costs of flights and accommodation. The stipends have been generously provided by AUT (five stipends), the Australasian Association for Information Systems (AAIS) (two stipends), and the Special Interest Group on ICT and Global Development (SIG GlobDev) (two stipends).
To be considered for a stipend, please email angsana@aut.ac.nz with a brief description of the following by August 31, 2025:
- Subject line: Pacific Information Systems Workshop Stipend Application
- Detail where you are in your academic or professional journey (250 words max).
- Explain what you plan to contribute and hope to achieve through your participation (250 words max).
- Describe your current research focus and interests (250 words max).
Preference will be given to applicants who are in the earlier stages of their careers, but all career stages are welcome to apply.
Important Dates
- Participants interested in submitting papers must send their 2-page extended abstracts outlining at a minimum a research problem and research aim, and areas needed feedback from peers at the Workshop. Depending on the status of a study, relevant literature, research methods, and expected contributions may be included. Please email your abstracts by October 1, 2025, to angsana@aut.ac.nz.
- Authors will be notified of their submission status within 14 days.
- Submitting a paper is not a prerequisite for attending the workshop. All interested in the field are welcome to join and participate.
- There is no registration cost.
- Please register prior to October 31, 2025, to confirm your place.
Organising Chairs
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn, angsana@aut.ac.nz
Dr Techatassanasoontorn is a Professor at the Auckland University of Technology. She takes a human-centric approach to cultivate a human-centered purpose of digital technology for all. Her work has been published in AIS Transactions on HCI, Information Systems Journal, Journal of the Association for Information Systems, and others.
Stan Karanasios, s.karanasios@uq.edu.au
Dr Karanasios is a Professor at the University of Queensland. His research focuses on the field of ICT for Development. His work has been published in MIS Quarterly, Journal of the Association for Information Systems, Information Systems Journal and other leading Information Systems outlets.
Ioana Chan Mow i.chanmow@nus.edu.ws
Ioana Chan Mow is a Professor in Computing and Computer Education at the National University of Samoa. She is a Foundation Fellow for the Pacific Academy of Sciences. Her research has been diverse but focused on Technology in education and ICT4D. Her work has been published in Springer, and other leading outlets.
Steering Committee
Professor Antonio Díaz Andrade, University of Agder, Norway (President of the SIG GlobDev)
Professor Bibhya Sharma, University of South Pacific, Fiji
Dr Jade Brooks, University of Auckland, New Zealand
Dr Kasuni Weerasinghe, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Associate Professor Manoj Thomas, University of Sydney, Australia (Chair of the IFIP Domain Committee on ICT for Equitable Health and Well-being)
Professor Robert Davison, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Editor-in-Chief of the Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, Information Systems Journal, and Information Systems Practice Journal)
Professor Rodney Clarke, University of Wollongong, Australia (President of the AAIS)
Associate Professor Silvia Masiero, University of Oslo, Norway (Editor-in-Chief of Information Technology for Development, Chair of the IFIP WG9.4 The Implications of Information and Digital Technologies for Development)
