Personal profile
Research interests
Dr Stavros Polykarpou is a Lecturer of Digital Innovation and Information Systems. He holds an M.Phil. and PhD from the University of Cambridge, Judge Business School (CJBS), which he completed through a competitive 1+3 ESRC Studentship Award and Postdoc prize. He is a Fellow (FHEA) of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE) and holds a PGCert in Academic Practice (PCAP) from the University of Exeter (UoE), where his research-led, transformative pedagogical practice received a Distinction (D2, UKSPF). He was also awarded the ASPIRE Fellowship (Accrediting Staff Professionalism in Research-Led Education) from UoE for his dedication and excellence in research-infused pedagogical innovation.
Programme of Research
His interdisciplinary research programme is at the intersection of management/organisation studies and digital innovation/transformation. He examines the broader themes of organising for emerging and algorithmic technologies, the changing nature of work and performing multiple values in the digital age. Methodologically, he primarily uses qualitative methods, ranging from longitudinal ethnographic to comparative multiple case study research designs. In addition, he is familiar with quantitative, econometric, and algorithmic analyses. His research on implementing 3D printing in healthcare won the prestigious Organisational Communications and Information Systems (OCIS) Division Best Paper Award (2020) at the 80th Annual Academy of Management (AoM) Meeting. Stavros has published in leading, top-tier journals such as Information Systems Research and Information and Organization and, recently, using algorithms as co-researchers in the Cambridge Handbook of Qualitative Digital Research.
He employs a deep engagement agenda by purposefully entwining challenge-led research activities and teaching practices to generate impact. His expertise includes a range of activities, from translating knowledge to co-creating impact through collaborative relationships with industry and government partners to address grand challenges.
PhD Supervision
Stavros is committed to working closely with PhD students through mentorship, leading to impactful research that can make a real difference in the world. Stavros has extensive experience in healthcare, leading digital innovation initiatives in 4 leading NHS Trusts over a decade, such as implementing personalised medicine through 3D-printing labs in-house. He also has led numerous knowledge translation activities with global industry partners. Students exploring any of the below research interests are welcome to discuss PhD supervision:
Research interests and supervision themes:
- Organising for Algorithmic and Emerging Technologies
- Digital Innovation and Transformation
- IS and healthcare
- Future of work
- Performativity of Platforms and Ecosystems
- Professional and Occupational Expertise
- New Forms of Value Creation in the Digital Age (social and societal value, e.g., reputation, legitimacy)
- Empirical: Ethnographic style of investigation; comparative case studies; process research; practice-based studies
Education/Academic qualification
Transformative Pedagogy, Fellow (FHEA), Distinction (UKPSF:D2), Advance HE
1 Oct 2019 → 8 Nov 2022
Award Date: 21 Nov 2022
Management Studies, PhD, University of Cambridge
1 Oct 2015 → 30 Sept 2019
Award Date: 22 May 2021
Innovation, Strategy and Organization, MPhil, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge
1 Oct 2014 → 30 Sept 2015
Award Date: 18 May 2015
Management (Innovation, Sustainability, Entrepreneurship), BSc (Hons), Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester
20 Sept 2011 → 1 Jun 2014
Award Date: 24 Jun 2014
External positions
Associate / Adjunct Lecturer, University of Exeter Business School
1 Jan 2024 → 31 Dec 2024
Keywords
- Sociology of science & technology
- Actor Network Theory
- Sociomateriality
- Management studies
- Innovation Management
- Digital
- Leadership
- technology management
- Social theory
- Practice as research
- Sociology of the Professions
- Process ontology
- Medical technology
- 3D Printing
- Additive Manufacturing
- Electronic Patient Records
- Health technologies
- Algorithmic Modelling
- Personalised Medicine
- Epistemology
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
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SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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How IT Investments Help Hospitals Gain and Sustain Reputation in the Media: The Role of Signaling and Framing
Salge, T. O., Antons, D., Barrett, M., Kohli, R., Oborn, E. & Polykarpou, S., Mar 2022, In: Information Systems Research. 33, 1, p. 110-130 21 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile32 Downloads (Pure) -
Algorithms as Co-Researchers: Exploring Meaning and Bias in Qualitative Research
Günther, W. A., Thompson, M., Joshi, M. P. & Polykarpou, S., 8 Jun 2023, Cambridge Handbook of Qualitative Digital Research: Part III - Illustrative Examples and Emergent Issues. Simeonova, B. & Galliers, R. D. (eds.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 211-228 18 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
1 Downloads (Pure) -
Place and Organizing for Emerging Technologies: Challenges of Scaling 3DPrinting Across a UK Hospital
Polykarpou, S., Barrett, M. & Oborn, E., 1 Aug 2020, In: Academy of Management Proceedings. 2020, 1Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
3 Downloads (Pure) -
Justifying health IT investments: A process model of framing practices and reputational value
Polykarpou, S., Michael Barrett, Eivor Oborn, Torsten Oliver Salge, David Antons & Rajiv Kohli, 14 Nov 2018, In: Information and Organization. 28, 4, p. 153 169 p., 4.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile24 Downloads (Pure) -
Organising Emerging Intelligent Technologies: The Case of Autonomous AI-Coordinated Drone Ecosystems
Polykarpou, S., Ameen, N., Hafezieh, N. & Hoelscher, V., 3 Jun 2024, (Accepted/In press) Reshaping Work 2024 Conference Proceedings.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
Open AccessFile79 Downloads (Pure)
Projects
- 3 Finished
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ARAAM: Social Science Impact Accelerator - ESRC: Governing Autonomous Air Mobility (AAM) Innovation
Polykarpou, S. (PI)
20/03/25 → 22/09/25
Project: Other
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Activities
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UK Academy for Information Systems (UKAIS) 2026 Annual Conference (Event)
Polykarpou, S. (Editor)
1 Dec 2025 → 22 Dec 2025Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Peer review of manuscripts
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Economic & Social Res Coun ESRC (External organisation)
Polykarpou, S. (Participant)
1 Feb 2025 → 1 Feb 2027Activity: Membership › Membership of peer review panel or committee
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KTP Networking Event: AI & New Technologies Cluster - Orchestrating Autonomous Drone Innovation Ecosystems: Interdisciplinary KTP AI Collaborations (in partnership with BMT Global & Omnidrome Research & Innovation Centre)
Polykarpou, S. (Speaker)
3 Jul 2025Activity: Talk, presentation or media contribution › Oral presentation
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1st Interdisciplinary Omnidrome Sandpit Workshop
Polykarpou, S. (Speaker)
17 Jun 2025Activity: Talk, presentation or media contribution › Invited talk
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46th International Conference on Information Systems (Event)
Polykarpou, S. (Editor)
1 Apr 2025 → 1 Jun 2025Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Peer review of manuscripts
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Prizes
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2020 Best Conference Paper Award (Academy of Management - OCIS Division)
Polykarpou, S. (Recipient), 31 Aug 2020
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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2018 ITC Emerald Best International Symposium
Polykarpou, S. (Recipient), 17 Aug 2018
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Best Paper Proceedings Award (AoM 2020, OCIS Division)
Polykarpou, S. (Recipient), Barrett, M. (Recipient) & Oborn, E. (Recipient), 1 Jun 2020
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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ASPIRE Fellow (Accrediting Staff Professionalism in Research Led-Education)
Polykarpou, S. (Recipient), 8 Nov 2022
Prize: Other distinction
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