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Track chairs: Anastasija Nikiforova, Marijn Janssen, Francesco Murredu

EGOV2024 – IFIP EGOV-CeDEM-EPART 2024 & our Emerging Issues and Innovations Track

Anastasija Nikiforova Leave a comment

Are you focusing on new topics emerging in the field of ICT and public sector, incl. public-private ecosystems? Then it is time to start preparing your submission for EGOV2023 – IFIP EGOV-CeDEM-EPART Emerging Issues and Innovations Track (chairs: Anastasija Nikiforova, Marijn Janssen, Francesco Mureddu).

EGOV2023 – IFIP EGOV-CeDEM-EPART is one of the most recognized conference in e-Government, ICT and public administration and related topics, which this year will be hosted in Belgium, in the heart of Europe, by Ghent University and KU Leuven – both top 100 universities.

 Innovation and application of emerging technologies is now more and more in the thinking of Governments at all levels. While it would be easy to consider the public sector as being less flexible or slow in adoption, presentations at recent EGOV-CeDEM-ePart conferences proved that one should not come to such a conclusion too easily. Upcoming technologies, innovative organizational solutions, or new avenues of involvement in public sector activities seem to be more commonplace – along with the potential issues and challenges that come with such endeavours. Policy-makers and public sector officials are now expected to embrace change, consider digital transformation, or improve governance practices. At the same time, public sector researchers are also influenced by new views, methods, tools and techniques.

🎯The goal of this track is to provide a platform for the discussion of new ideas, issues, problems, and solutions, that keep entering the public sphere. Ideas that are emerging but might not fit other conference tracks are also welcome. Focus may include but is not limited to:

  • 💡 Looking ahead into social innovation
  • 💡Future studies, the future of government, policy-making and democracy
  • 💡New trends in public sector research such as Metaverse, Large Language Models (LLMs), generative AI and its implementations such as chatGPT, Claude, ChatSonic, Poe – benefits, risks, adoption and resistance to its adoption by the public sector and citizens;
  • 💡Global challenges that go beyond nation states (such as migration, climate change etc.) and which require international collaboration of individual governments;
  • 💡Digital transformation in public sector context;
  • 💡The future of digital governance;
  • 💡Public values in transforming the government;
  • 💡The role of government in smart cities (incl. smart sustainable cities) and sustainable living;
  • 💡The role of the public sector in Human-Centered Society known as Society 5.0;
  • 💡Government in the metaverse;
  • 💡Self-Service Structures for Inclusion;
  • 💡Public-private sector collaboration and integration;
  • 💡Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), smart contracts and blockchain;
  • 💡Preparing for the policy challenges of future technologies;
  • 💡Regulating misinformation;
  • 💡New technologies for automated decision-making;
  • 💡The future public sector use and regulation of latest AI or genAI solutions;
  • 💡Public use as well as regulations of industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT);
  • 💡The relationships of governments and Fintech;
  • 💡Upcoming issues of eVoting / internet voting including application of digital signatures in the public sector;
  • 💡Online public community building;
  • 💡Utilization of digital billboards;
  • 💡Latest trends in co-creation and service delivery;
  • 💡Discussion of new research methods that have not been applied in this context;
  • 💡Application of role theory in the analysis of public sector functions and processes;
  • 💡Forward looking insights from case studies – let it be successful or failed experiments.

Track Chairs

  • Anastasija Nikiforova, Tartu University, Estonia
  • Marijn Janssen, Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands
  • Francesco Mureddu, The Lisbon Council, Belgium

This time International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) EGOV-CeDEM-EPART will be hosted by KU Leuven and Ghent University, September 2024, while the deadline for submitting your paper is set to March, 2024.

Stay tuned, more info to come!

📢📜New paper alert! Framework for understanding quantum computing use cases from a multidisciplinary perspective and future research directions

Anastasija Nikiforova Leave a comment

This post is dedicated to the “Framework for understanding quantum computing use cases from a multidisciplinary perspective and future research directions” (Ukpabi, D.C., Karjaluoto, H., Botticher, A., Nikiforova, A., Petrescu, D.I., Schindler, P., Valtenbergs, V., Lehmann, L.) paper that just has been published in Futures journal (Elsevier, Q1 in both (1) Business and International Management, (2) Development, (3) Sociology and Political Science) in an open access.

Recently, there has been increasing awareness of the tremendous opportunities inherent in quantum computing. It is expected that the speed and efficiency of quantum computing will significantly impact the Internet of Things, cryptography, finance, and marketing. Accordingly, there has been increased quantum computing research funding from national and regional governments and private firms. However, critical concerns regarding legal, political, and business-related policies germane to quantum computing adoption exist. Therefore, recently a call for a framework from an interdisciplinary perspective has been made to help an understanding the potential impact of quantum computing on society, which is vital to improve strategic planning and management by governments and other stakeholders. The lack of such a framework is due to the fact that quantum computing per se is a highly technical domain, hence most of the existing studies focus heavily on the technical aspects of quantum computing. In contrast, our study highlights its practical and social uses cases, which are needed for the increased interest of governments. More specifically, our study took this call and offered a preliminary version of a framework for understanding the social, economic and political use cases of quantum computing, as well as identified possible areas of market disruption and offer empirically based recommendations that are critical for forecasting, planning, and strategically positioning QCs for accelerated diffusion, incl. definition of 52 Research Questions that will be critical for the adoption of quantum computing.


To this end, we conducted a gray literature research, whose outputs were structured in accordance with Dwivedi et al. (2021) that embodies environment, users, & application areas. We then validated through the discussing the findings with the quantum computing community at QWorld Quantum Science Days 2023 (QSD 2023) (on which I posted before 👉 here).

In short:

  • the hottest application areas are 🔥🔥🔥 business & finance, renewable energy, medicine & pharmaceuticals, & manufacturing 🔥🔥🔥;
  • at the level of environment – ecosystem, security, jurisprudence, institutional change & geopolitics;
  • users – customers, firms, countries or governments, to be more precise, with the reference to both national and local governments.

We then dived into these areas, and come up with the most popular & promising & overlooked topics, and as the very end-result, define 52 research questions, i.e., very specific things that are expected to be covered in the future to understand the current state-of-the-art, as well as transformations needed at various levels. The insights offered by various contributors from diverse disciplines – business, information systems, quantum computing, political science, and law offer a broad-based view of the potential of quantum computing to different aspects of our technological, economic, and social development. This framework is intended to help in identifying possible areas of market disruption offering empirically based recommendations that are critical for forecasting, planning, and strategically positioning prior to quantum computing emergence.

This is a truly a “happy end!” for the consortia that we built ~3 years ago – with Germany, Spain, Finland, Romania, and Latvia – while working on a project proposal to CHANSE call “Transformations: Social and Cultural Dynamics in the Digital Age”. We went there much far beyond my expectations, i.e. in fact, we were notified that this time we will not be granted the funding for the project at the very last stage, having gone through all those intermediate evaluation rounds, which were already fascinating news (at least for me). While working on the proposal and building our network, we conducted a preliminary analysis of the area, which then, regardless of the output of the application, we decided to continue and bring to at least some logical end. We like our result so decided to make it publicly available.

All in all, this is our warm welcome to read the paper -> here

And just in case you prefer a condensed version, you can just watch the video of the talk I delivered at QWorld Quantum Science Days 2023 (QSD 2023) 👇

References:

Dandison Ukpabi, Heikki Karjaluoto, Astrid Bötticher, Anastasija Nikiforova, Dragoş PETRESCU, Paulina Schindler, Visvaldis Valtenbergs, Lennard Lehmann, Framework for Understanding Quantum Computing Use Cases From A Multidisciplinary Perspective and Future Research Directions, Futures, 2023, 103277, ISSN 0016-3287, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2023.103277.

Dwivedi, Y. K., Ismagilova, E., Hughes, D. L., Carlson, J., Filieri, R., Jacobson, J., … & Wang, Y. (2021). Setting the future of digital and social media marketing research: Perspectives and research propositions. International Journal of Information Management, 59, 102168.

Stanford University’s database of top-cited scientists for 2022 is published

Anastasija Nikiforova Leave a comment

A few months ago, I celebrated 5 years since my first scientific publication – the time it took for me to get listed in the Stanford University‘s database of top 2% scientists! To be honest, I’ve missed this list, but given the growing number of LinkedIn posts on it, I decided to take a look at it and after browsing it for a while, decided – just out of curiosity – to check myself – can you imagine the level of my surprise? – all in all, quite surprised and honored, of course!

I recognize that this is just a single year category for 2022, it is about sub-fields (Artificial Intelligence – do not really get how Scopus knows this, given that although I am dealing with this topic, I do not much publish on it, Information Systems, Information & Communication Technologies) same as I realize that citation metrics-based evaluations is  not the best approach to assessing the impact and quality of research & researcher (although this database not only acknowledges, but also tries to tackle this issue to some extent), but for me it is still an achievement that makes this day special!

You might want to check out this list by Ioannidis and John (2023) and maybe it will make your day as well!

Ioannidis, John P.A. (2023), “October 2023 data-update for “Updated science-wide author databases of standardized citation indicators””, Elsevier Data Repository, V6, doi: 10.17632/btchxktzyw.6

CFP for Data For Policy 2024 is open!

Anastasija Nikiforova Leave a comment

And CFP for Data For Policy 2024 scheduled for 9-11 July, 2024 is open! All submissions are welcome with the deadline of 27 November, 2023.

This year Data For Policy conference, which is organized in collaboration with Imperial College London and Cambridge University Press will take place in London, UK, and will be running under the title “Decoding the Future: Trustworthy Governance with AI” – trendy, isn’t it? In this edition the conference “[we] are focusing on the future of governance and decision making with AI. Firstly, what are the emerging capabilities, use cases, and best practices enabling innovation that could contribute to improved governance with AI? Secondly, what concerns are being raised regarding these advancements in areas such as data, algorithms, privacy, security, fairness, and potential risks? For both discussions, we invite proposals that delve into the role and capacity of governance in preventing AI-related harms and explore the potential for governance to generate added value through responsible AI deployment. For a more thorough consideration of the conference theme, please read this informative blog, by Zeynep Engin and conference co-chairs.“

Data for Policy is looking forward to your submission to one of six areas of the respective Data & Policy journal, which are transformed into the tracks for this conference. In addition, this list is complemented with a rich list of 11 special tracks.

Of course, my personal recommendation is to consider Area 1 “Digital & Data-driven Transformations in Governance” (chairs: Sarah Giest, Sharique Manazir, Francesco Mureddu, Keegan McBride, Anastasija Nikiforova, Sujit Sikder). More specifically, the track seeks for contributions on topics that include but are not necessarily limited to:

  • From data to decisions: knowledge generation and evidence formation;
  • Process, psychology and behaviour of decision-making in digital era;
  • Government operations and services;
  • Government-citizen interactions; and open government;
  • Democracy, public deliberation, public infrastructure, justice, media;
  • Public, private and voluntary sector governance and policy-making.


Of course, do not ignore other tracks since each and every track definitely deserves your attention:

  • Area 1: Digital & Data-Driven Transformations in Governance – the one I just suggested;
  • Area 2: Data Technologies & Analytics for Governance;
  • Area 3: Policy & Literacy for Data;
  • Area 4: Ethics, Equity & Trustworthiness;
  • Area 5: Algorithmic Governance;
  • Area 6: Global Challenges & Dynamic Threats;
  • Special Track 1: Establishing an Allied by Design AI ecosystem
  • Special Track 2: Anticipating Migration for Policymaking: Data-Based Approaches to Forecasting and Foresight
  • Special Track 3: AI, Ethics and Policy Governance in Africa
  • Special Track 4: Social Media and Government
  • Special Track 5: Data and AI: critical global perspectives on the governance of datasets used for artificial intelligence
  • Special Track 6: Generative AI for Sound Decision-making: Challenges and Opportunities
  • Special Track 7: Governance of Health Data for AI Innovation
  • Special Track 8: Accelerating collective decision intelligence
  • Special Track 9: Artificial Intelligence, Bureaucracy, and Organizations
  • Special Track 10: AI and data science to strengthen official statistics
  • Special Track 11: Data-driven environmental policy-making

To sum up:

🗓️ WHEN? 9-11 July, 2024 -> deadline for papers and abstracts – 27 November, 2023

WHERE? London, UK

WHY? To understand what are the emerging capabilities, use cases, and best practices enabling innovation that could contribute to improved governance with AI? what concerns are being raised regarding these advancements in areas such as data, algorithms, privacy, security, fairness, and potential risks? For a more thorough consideration of the conference theme, please read this.

Find your favorite among tracks and submit! See detail on the official website.

IFIP EGOV-CeDEM-EPART 2023 – retrospective on how it was? From Metaverse to wine tasting

Anastasija Nikiforova 1 Comment

It finally took place! EGOV2023 – IFIP EGOV-CeDEM-EPART – one of the most recognized conference in e-Government, ICT and public administration and related topics (incl., Smart Cities, Sustainability, Innovation and many more) that lasted 3 days in charming city of Budapest (Hungary) is over, and I am here to reflect on it (just in a few words), since although these were just 3 days, they were very busy and full of insights, as well as activities, since every day I took another role, i.e., day#1 – presenter of the paper, day#2 – workshop organizer, day#3 – chair of two out of three sessions of “Emerging Issues and Innovations” track I co-chaired together with Marijn Janssen, Csaba Csaki and Francesco Mureddu. Not to forget, in this conference I am also a program committee of Open Data track.

Let me now provide a few insights on all these days, including my roles.

Let’s start with day#1… After conference opening by Ida Lindgren and Csaba Csaki – our local host, who did a great job – organized a very unique conference with exceptionally rich social programme, a brilliant keynote talk was delivered by Professor Yogesh K Dwivedi (possibly the most impactful researcher in the area) on Metaverse for Government and associated Challenges, Opportunities, as well as Future Research Agenda, as part of which the claim of a lack of studies on this topic was made. Luckily, our track “Emerging Issues and Innovations” has accepted one paper on Metaverse in digital government, which was the only at the conference, however, unfortunately, the discussion had not happened due to earlier departure of Yogesh and late arrival of authors. Anyway, almost immediately after the keynote the session, where I delivered a talk on HVD determination “Towards High-Value Datasets determination for data-driven development: a systematic literature review” (authors: Nikiforova, Rizun, Ciesielska, Alexopoulos, Miletić) took place. Just to remind you, I posted on this paper before – this is that paper, which has been already named “signal in the noise“, in which we asked ourselves and the current body of the knowledge (this is a systematic literature review-driven study):
❓how is the value of the open government data perceived / defined? Are local efforts being made at the country levels to identify dataset that provide the most value to stakeholders of the local open data ecosystem?
❓What datasets are considered to be of higher value in terms of data nature, data type, data format, data dynamism?
❓What indicators are used to determine HVD?
❓Whether there is a framework for determining country-specific HVD? I.e., is it possible to determine what datasets are of value and interest for their reuse & value creation, taking into account the specificities of the country, e.g., culture, geography, ethnicity, likelihood of crises and/or catastrophes.
Although neither OGD, nor the importance of data value are new topics, scholarly publications dedicated to HVD are very limited that makes study unique and constituting a call for action – probably this is also why it it is recommended for reading not only by us but also by The Living Library (by New York University, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, govlab). All in all, we have established some knowledge based, incl. several definitions of HVD, data-related aspects, stakeholders, some indicators and approaches that can now be used as a basis for establishing a discussion of what a framework for determining HVD should look like, which, along with the input we received from a series of international workshops as part of ICEGOV2022, ICOD2022 and DGO2023 with open data experts could enrich the common understanding of the goal, thereby contributing to the next open data wave.
👉Read the paper here
👉See slides here
👉Find supplementary data in open access at Zenodo here
Here I am very grateful to session attendees for raising a discussion around the topic, where some of those comments confirmed once more the correctness of both the problem statement and our future plans – thanks a lot!

Day#2 of started with another keynote talk, whcih this time delivered by Andras Koltay (President of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority and the Media Council of Hungary) on the protection of freedom of expression from social media platforms – very different but yet very insightful talk. Then, my second role of the workshop organizer and chair followed. As part of our workshop “PPPS’2023 – Proactive and Personalised Public Services: Searching for Meaningful Human Control in Algorithmic Government” (chairs: Anastasija Nikiforova, Nitesh Bharosa, Dirk Draheim, Kuldar Taveter). As part of this workshop, which took place in a hybrid mode (not an easy task), we initiated a discussion about personalised and Proactive Public Services, i.e.:
🎯talked about the concepts of public services, reactive and proactive models of public services, and models of their personalization;
🎯asked participants to share their views on public services and the levels of proactivity and personalisation of these services in their countries aiming to develop concepts for holistic proactive and personalised public service delivery;
🎯tried to establish a clearer vision of the “as-is” model and the necessary transition to the “to-be” model, their underlying factors, as well as pitfalls of which governments should be aware when designing, developing, and setting up proactive and personalised public services, trying to understand what are those emerging technologies that will likely have greater effect on public services in terms of both driving them or creating obstacles / barriers for their development and maintenance.
Read a bit more 👉 here
Special thanks to all participants, who attended and were very active (and survived)!

And now a few insights from day#3, when three sessions of our Emerging Issues and Innovations track (chairs: Marijn Janssen, Anastasija Nikiforova, Dr. Csaba Csaki, Francesco Mureddu) finally took place, where I was delighted to chair two of these sessions. Within these three sessions, 8 very diverse, but at the same time super interesting and insightful talks were delivered (predominantly from the United Nations University and Sweden), namely:
✍Metaverse vs. metacurse: The role of governments and public sector use cases by Charmaine Distor, Soumaya Ben Dhaou, & Morten Meyerhoff Nielsen that can be seen as a continuation of the keynote talk by Prof. Yogesh Dwivedi delivered at the 1st day;
✍Dynamic Capabilities and Digital Transformation in Public sector: Evidence from Brazilian case study by Larissa Magalhães;
✍Affording and constraining digital transformation: The enactment of structural change in three Swedish government agencies by Malin Tinjan, Robert Åhlén, Susanna Hammelev Jörgensen & Johan Magnusson
✍The Vicious Cycle of Magical Thinking: How IT Governance Counteracts Digital Transformation by Susanna H. Jörgensen, Tomas Lindroth, Johan Magnusson, Malin Tinjan, Jacob Torell & Robert Åhlen
✍Buridan’s Ass: Encapsulation as a Possible Solution to the Prioritization Dilemma of Digital Transformation by Johan Magnusson, Per Persson, Jacob Torell & Ingo Paas
✍Measuring digital transformation at the local level: assessing the current state of Flemish municipalities by Lieselot Danneels & Sarah Van Impe
✍Blockchain and the GDPR – the shift needed to move forward by Inês Campos Ruas, Soumaya Ben Dhaou & Zoran Jordanoski
✍Construct Hunting in GovTech Research: An Exploratory Data Analysis by Mattias Svahn, Aron Larsson, Eloisa Macedo and Jorge Bandeira
Read papers 👉 here, here & here
Big thanks go to both authors and presenters, as well as the audience, who was very active (even despite the fact that it was the very last day of the conference) and made these sessions a success!
And right after these two sessions, the third keynote by Laszlo Trautmann “The ethics of expertise – the political economy implications of AI”.


And the last but not the least, yet another social event – wine tasting at Etyeki Kúria Borászat / Winery, which was the perfect happy end of the EGOV2023!

Exceptional organization by Corvinus University of Budapest, Csaba Csaki and his team, International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), Digital Government Society – cheers!🍷🍷🍷