[Asis-l] Pre-ECIS Workshop: Developing Activity Theory in Information Studies

[stan.karanasios at rmit.edu.au]

Pre-ECIS Workshop: Developing Activity Theory in Information Studies (DATIS), June 6, 2017
at the 25th European Conference on Information Systems / June 5th-10th 2017 / Guimarães, Portugal (www.ecis2017.eu/)
 
Workshop chairs:
Stan Karanasios, RMIT University, Australia
David Allen, University of Leeds, UK
Jyoti Mishra, University of Bradford, UK
Alistair Norman, University of Leeds, UK
Boyka Simeonova, Loughborough University, UK
 
Overview of the workshop:
Over the last two decades the use of Activity Theory has developed within the field of information systems (IS), as well as related fields such as Human Computer Interaction, information studies, organisation studies and communications. While there is significant interest in developing Activity Theory across these related scholarly disciplines many of the researchers using it are working as lone scholars within IS and related departments.
 
The aims of the workshop are to:
1) Introduce IS scholars to the basic conceptual premises of Activity Theory focusing on the use, development and contribution of Activity Theory.
2) Strengthen and build the community of scholars within IS using Activity Theory to understand the relationship between technology and activity in different work and social contexts.
3) Provide an opportunity for scholars to reflect and gain feedback on work in progress or receive new perspectives.
4) Provide support for researchers that are starting to explore Activity Theory. 
5) Provide a space for scholars interested in other practice theories to engage in common theoretical debates.
 
Workshop format:
The workshop will take place over a full day. The workshop will consist of a key note, short paper presentations (15 minutes), panel discussions, and breakout sessions. The workshop programme has been designed to encourage discourse and advance the use of the Activity Theory, enable new connections between scholars deploying Activity Theory and provide an introduction to scholars new to Activity Theory.
 
Workshop Timetable:
09.00: Welcome, participant introductions, and overview of the workshop.
09:15: Key note presentation. Dr Julien Malaurent, Essec Business School, France
10.00: Working Panel: Experiences from the field: Three scholars present short papers (five-minute overviews) of key theoretical 'challenges' related to the use of Activity Theory and explore how they have resolved them within their research.
11:00: Break.
11.30: Short paper presentations.
13:00: Lunch break.
13.45: Welcome and introduction to afternoon sessions.
14.00: Key note presentation: TBA
14.30: Short paper presentations.
16:30: Breakout group work (organized by shared interests and themes): Tackling the challenges and opportunities of Activity Theory
17.00: Workshop end.
 
Evening: Optional dinner/social event to follow
 
Submission details and dates:
-Submission of short paper (500 words): May 15, 2017
-Short papers should be e-mailed to stan.karanasios at rmit.edu.au with the words ‘DATIS Workshop’ in the title.
-Short papers will be circulated prior to the workshop.
 
Short paper submission is not required for attendance at the workshop.
 
For workshop programme and further details please see: http://www.ecis2017.eu/workshops-tuturials/