Design research contributes critical questions – Jonas Sjöström sees the important role of academia in the advance of digitalisation
2025-04-24
Jonas Sjöström started programming in his early teens and then attended the systems science programme in Linköping. On one occasion, the programme was visited by a doctoral student who talked about his being a doctoral student and doing research.
"He must have made a strong impression because I became curious and somehow ended up in that area. At the same time, I knew that I wanted to work with technology development and build things, not just get stuck in a world of theory," said Sjöström.
It's an attitude he's stuck to ever since, and he unites the best of both worlds.
- Jonas Sjöström will give his inaugural lecture 8 May 10:00 in C203, house Balder.
The lecture is held in Swedish.
"I enjoy both research and teaching, but I always have a foot in the real world as well. I keep up to date by running a business and am something of an entrepreneur.”
The arrangement has proven successful.
"The combination of working practically and reflecting and creating knowledge based on it is very rewarding. From the practical work, I get examples to bring to the teaching, and in the teaching, I get tricky questions to think about. All those things feed each other," said Jonas Sjöström.
Distinguished by a holistic perspective
He develops methods and tools for creating digital solutions in collaboration with the practices affected by technology. His research focusses on, among other things, the design of applications in generative AI and eHealth. Specifically, this can mean building tools for psychosocial support online, administrative tools for personal assistance and automatic news dissemination in networks and organisations. Jonas Sjöström has also developed a model for how digital systems can be designed to balance the protection of personal integrity and caregiver responsibility – design knowledge that is valuable both in eHealth and other areas where data management affects people's life situation.
Right now, his interest is focused on how AI can be of help to car repair shops. With the rapid progress of digitalisation, AI is highly topical, and in his studies, Jonas Sjöström distinguishes himself by taking a holistic perspective.
"I think it's fun to build new things and it feels important to really think about how new technology can be used in the best way, that's the big question for me as a researcher. Many have an organisational perspective, there is a lot of research on how digitalisation can improve for companies. But I also want to think about what the new technology means for people and society," he said.
Theory contributes critical questions in AI projects
According to him, there is an advantage in allowing design research to alternate between concrete design work and theory. When human data is replaced by digital systems, a number of questions about agency arise, such as who is responsible if something goes wrong. Jonas Sjöström highlights that there are a number of established ideas about agency, ethics and accountability to start from – and points to the fruitfulness of AI projects using theory to ask critical questions.
"Even if we do not get answers to these questions, we focus on important aspects that risk being forgotten if we do not bring a theoretical idea into the process. To find a practical problem that we want to solve, and at the same time reflect on it based on proven knowledge – that's the excitement I'm looking for," said Jonas Sjöström.
It is important that academia and not just companies drive AI development
He describes now taking on a professor role at the University of Borås as a very big milestone in an academic career.
"Of course, it’s wonderful and it's fun to be part of things in Borås.”
He was attracted here mainly by the fact that the university is at the forefront of design research and has a strong collaboration with the business community and the public sector, something that he believes is a key to success.
"I look forward to further developing both aspects. If we find the right forms of collaboration, we can address important societal issues, such as AI. I think it is very important that not only companies drive development, but that we from academia also contribute. Our reflection on how digitalisation affects people and society should play a significant role," said Jonas Sjöström.
Jonas Sjöström
Lives: Limmared
Family: Two adult daughters, shared custody of two golden retrievers
Interests: Music, film, animals, travel
On a day off: Take out the guitar and play a song
Unknown talent: Still waiting to discover it
Passionate about: Animal rights
Inspired by: Creative people
My best tip for junior researchers: Keep at it, be open to new impressions, and don't be too opportunistic
Jonas Sjöström was named Professor of Informatics in April 2024. After receiving his Bachelor’s and Licentiate degrees at Linköping University, he was awarded his doctorate in Computer and Systems Sciences at Uppsala University in 2010. He was named Associate Professor of Informatics in Uppsala in 2019. His research focusses on, among other things, the design of applications in generative AI and eHealth. Jonas is also associate editor of the Journal of Decision Systems and past president of the international research organisation AIS SIGPrag.
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