In late 2024, Professor Emerita Shirley Gregor AO from The Australian National University (ANU) was recognised by the Association for Information Systems (AIS) – the world’s premier professional IS organisation – with an AIS LEO Award for Lifetime Exceptional Achievement in information systems.
Named after one of the world’s first commercial applications of computing (The Lyons Electronic Office), the LEO Award recognises truly outstanding individuals in the information systems community, both academics and practitioners, who have made exceptional contributions to research and/or the practice of information systems.
Shirley, an esteemed computer scientist who’s conducted research in artificial intelligence (AI), human-computer interaction and the philosophy of science and technology, has received several accolades in her career. She describes receiving the LEO Award as one of her proudest achievements.
“I am incredibly honoured to be given this award. Only a few people receive the award each year. As far as I know there have been only two prior awards to Australians – one to Professor Ron Weber who was my PhD supervisor, and one to Professor Rick Watson, a long-time resident of the USA,” Shirley says.
“I appreciate this award because it is not just about successes in research but also recognition in terms of contributing to the community and society.”
As a student of mathematics and psychology, the path to Shirley’s current success was not one she could have foreseen.
After graduating from the University of Queensland in 1971, Shirley began her career as a ‘programmer-in-training’ for the Australian government. She spent a number of years in the computing industry in Australia and the United Kingdom before studying computer science and beginning her academic career.
“I really just fell into information systems as it is a discipline where my background in the design and development of IT systems for use in organisations is relevant,” Shirley says candidly.
Fast forward from that fortunate ‘fall’, and Shirley’s exceptional commitment to her research has seen her lead several large, applied research projects funded by the Meat Research Corporation, the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, the Australian Research Council and AusAID.
Currently, Shirley has two projects on the go. In one, she is working with a team of researchers from Europe on how to employ creative techniques and build on information technology capacities to address wicked problems such as environmental change.
The other project combines Shirley’s information systems research with visual art – a medium that she practices for enjoyment – and builds on her exploration of the responsible use of image-generating AI in art.
“For a case study paper, I am building on my own experiences using AI in preparing work for an environmental biennial exhibition in a regional gallery in Queensland, opening in February this year,” says Shirley.
Her series will delve into the intricate relationship between human needs, activities, technologies, and our collective desire to protect the natural environment.
“Looking at how creativity can be enhanced with GenAI tools has the potential to assist with innovation in general,” she shares.
In addition to the fulfilment Shirley gets from her work, she credits the people she has been fortunate to work with as being a crucial part of her career.
“I am grateful for all the wonderful people I have worked with over the years – my colleagues at ANU, the PhD students who continue to keep in touch and the information systems community as a whole.”
Professor Vinh Lu, Director of ANU Research School of Management (RSM), joins CBE in congratulating Shirley on receiving the LEO Award.
"RSM is thrilled with this wonderful recognition of Shirley. She has been a great role model and continues to inspire us all. We're proud to have the annual Shirley Gregor Distinguished Lecture continue in 2025 and beyond."
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Featured expert
Professor Emerita Shirley Gregor
Shirley's research interests include artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction and the philosophy of science and technology. She is continuing with her long-term research in the area of ‘human-centred’ or ‘responsible’ AI, which has a focus on ethical considerations, transparency, and human wellbeing in the use of AI. She recently had a paper on Responsible AI and Journal Publishing appear in the Journal of the Association for Information Systems.