
Anastasija Nikiforova is a researcher (PhD in Computer Science – Data Processing Systems and Data Networking), whose research interests include, but are not limited to, data management with a particular focus on data quality and data integration issues, public administration, open data- and open government data (ecosystems)- related topics, covering both technological and societal aspects of the above, Society 5.0, SDG, smart city, sustainable development, IoT, HCI and digitization.
She is an assistant professor of Information Systems at University of Tartu (Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Computer Science, Chair of Software Engineering), and a part of European Open Science Cloud Task Force “FAIR Metrics and Data Quality”.
She is an expert of the COST – European Cooperation in Science & Technology, as well as Latvian Council of Sciences in (1) Natural Sciences – Computer Science and Informatics, (2) Engineering and Technology-Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and (3) Social Sciences – Economics and Business.
She serves as a program committee for several international conferences (20+) and invited reviewer for 15+ high-quality (Q1-Q2) journals. She is an Editorial Board Member and an Associate Editor for several journals (BMC Research Notes (Springer Nature), eJournal of eDemocracy and Open Government (JeDEM), Data & Policy (Cambridge Press), International Journal on Semantic Web and Information Systems (IJSWIS) (IGI Global), Politics of Technology section of Frontiers in Political Science etc.). She is also an associate member of the Latvian Open Technology Association. She is also an EDSC ambassador (European Digital Skills Certificate, as part of Action 9 of the Digital Education Action Plan (2021- 2027) – JRC/SVQ/2022/OP/0013).
Her previous experience includes the role of a visiting researcher at Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, an assistant professor at the Faculty of Computing and researcher in the Innovation Laboratory of University of Latvia, and IT-expert at the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, BBMRI-ERIC Latvian National Node, where she was involved in six ERDF and Horizon 2020 projects with a focus on data management and software engineering. She also has worked on preparing and submitting research proposals at both national, regional and international levels (ERDF, Horizon 2020, CHANSE and national funding programs). She also acted as an advisor for the Institute for Social and Political Studies (University of Latvia).
For her research, public activity and other achievements, the LATA (Latvian Open Technologies Association) has recognized her as a person of the year and has awarded her for promotion of open data and open technologies. In 2019 she was nominated to WDS Data Stewardship Award as one of the most exceptional contributors of early career researchers.
Recent Employment History

2022-present:
assistant professor, University of Tartu, Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Computer Science, Chair of Software Engineering

2022-2022:
visiting researcher, Delft University of Technology, Faculty Technology Policy and Management
2019-2022:
assistant professor, University of Latvia, Faculty of Computing, Programming Department (2019-2020 – lecturer, 2020-2022 – assistant professor)

2021-2022:
IT-expert, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre (BBMRI-ERIC Latvian Node)
2017-2022:
researcher, University of Latvia, Faculty of Computing, “Innovative information technologies” lab
(2017-2019 – scientific assistant, 2019-2022 – researcher)
2021-2021:
advisor, University of Latvia, Faculty of Social Sciences/Institute for Social and Political Studies
Membership

2021-present:
Task Force “FAIR Metrics and Data Quality”, European Open Science Cloud (EOSC)

2023-present:
ambassador, EDSC (European Digital Skills Certificate, as part of Action 9 of the Digital Education Action Plan (2021- 2027) – JRC/SVQ/2022/OP/0013)

2022-present:
Area Editor, Data & Policy (Cambridge Press), Area I – Data-driven Transformations in Policy and Governance read more

2022-present:
Editorial Board member, eJournal of eDemocracy and Open Government (JeDEM) read more

2022-present:
IFIP WG8.5 on ICT and Public Administration

2022-present:
Editorial Board member, Politics of Technology section of Frontiers in Political Science

2022-present:
expert, Latvian Council of Sciences – Social Sciences – Economics and Business

2021-present:
expert, Latvian Council of Sciences Natural Sciences – Computer and information sciences

2021-present:
expert, Latvian Council of Sciences – Engineering and Technology-Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Information and Communication Technologies

2021-present:
associate editor, International Journal on Semantic Web and Information Systems (IJSWIS) (IGI Global)

2021-present:
editorial board member, BMC Research Notes (Springer Nature) for “Scientific community and data”

2019-present:
associate member, Latvian Open Technologies Association (LATA)
Recent awards

2022: KMIS2022 Best Paper Award, 14th International Conference on Knowledge Management and Information Systems read more

2022: ICEGOV2022 Best Paper Award Nominee, 15th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance: “Digital Governance for Social, Economic, and Environmental Prosperity” read more

2022: Research & Innovation Forum (Rii Forum 2022) Panel Moderation Award read more

2021: LATA (Latvian Open Technologies Association) award for promotion of open data and technologies read more

2020: FedCSIS2020/ ISM2020 Best Paper Award, 15th Conference on Information Systems Management see more

2020: IoTSMS2020 Best paper nominee, 7th International Conference on Internet of Things: Systems, Management and Security