Ten Questions for Ryan Wright

This week’s Ten Questions comes from Ryan Wright, Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Research at the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. His research interests include cybersecurity, privacy, and the diffusion of innovations. He served as Vice President of Membership on the AIS Council for four years and was instrumental in the formation of the AIS Doctoral Student College.

He has more than 70 publications in outlets such as MIS Quarterly; Information Systems Research; Journal of the AIS; and Journal of MIS. His research has been featured in Harvard Business Review; The Washington Post; Forbes; Seattle Post-Intelligencer; The Australian; USA Today; Fast Company;Psychology Today; and many other outlets. He has presented his research for several practitioner groups, including TEDx, the Salesforce Foundation, and the Association for Finance and Technology.

1. You served as the Vice President of Member Services on the AIS Council for four years, one of the longest serving people in that role. How did member services change in that time?

I would say that membership services went through a bit of a digital transformation during my four years. I contribute that massive transformation to one of the reasons my services on the council was extended past the customary three year term of a council member. We had many new tools and initiatives we wanted to launch in that fourth year.

One of the major initiatives that we launched was providing AIS chapters, colleges, and SIGs with a united platform to publish their good works. AIS Communities was launched, so we didn’t have all these communities hosting one-off websites. Another initiative that I’m super proud of is the launch of AIS Doctoral Student College. This effort was in partnership with the incredible Jessica Pye, and the organization is now a cornerstone for the AIS. I miss Jessica a lot.

2. Were there any initiatives that you proposed during your time on Council that didn’t get off the ground and if so, what do you think those initiatives would look like today?

That is easy. I really tried hard to bring well-being into the fold of AIS. This seems like a no-brainer at first but turns out it is a hard problem to solve given the diversity of our membership. We are a global organization, and many of the problems that academics face are local. We studied well-being in our community and published a report in CAIS, but there is a lot of work left to be done to understand and support the AIS community.

3. What has been the most rewarding part of your time as an AIS volunteer? Are there any programs or initiatives that stand out that you were especially proud to be involved in?

Spending time with doctoral students and newly minted professors. By far, not close. The energy I get from our next generation is incredible. The future is very bright for AIS.

4. You served as ICIS 2021 co-chair with Anitesh Barua in Austin, Texas. This was the first major IS conference to be held in person after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. What were some challenges you faced at that time and how have you seen the solutions you implemented effect (either positive or negative) AIS communities even to this day?

Organizing this was an incredibly stressful experience for both Anitesh and myself. Every week brought changes to our offerings and the restrictions we needed to navigate. At one point, three weeks before the conference, we even considered reverting to a completely virtual format, which was undoubtedly the lowest point in the planning process. Despite these challenges, we successfully hosted the first fully hybrid AIS conference. The key to this monumental achievement was the exceptional dedication of the AIS staff. Their expertise in planning, designing, and implementing contingency plans was crucial. Also, the Program Chairs, Atreyi Kankanhalli, Xitong, Li, and Shaila Miranda were incredible. This team effort has left a lasting, technology-forward legacy, evident even today. The virtual components of ICIS now have global reach, enabling many AIS members who previously couldn't participate to experience the conference.

5. You have been a part of many collaborative projects over the years. How has AIS helped to build your network of partnerships and what can further be done to expand collaborations?

I consistently emphasize to anyone willing to listen that finding your community is crucial for success in the IS discipline. These individuals will become your conference friends, co-authors, and the writers of your promotion letters. They will also serve as your mentors and counselors. The importance of finding your community cannot be overstated. If you haven’t yet found your group, the AIS Communities is an excellent starting point. With more than 35 special interest groups, you can connect with researchers in your field. Additionally, local chapters and engaging collegial networks offer more opportunities to find like-minded individuals. I started by participating in the SIG on Adoption, Diffusion, and Innovation. They helped hone my research and introduced me to my favorite co-authors. Undoubtedly, my community has played a significant role in my success.

6. As AIS looks to the future, how do you think the services offered to members will evolve?

I believe guidance on navigating the profession and getting involved with the AIS SIGs and other organizations is improving and evolving, yet it still holds great potential. The PhD process primarily trains you in conducting research, but it's the AIS community that truly teaches you how to excel in the profession—covering publishing, teaching, and service. This holistic approach equips members to thrive in all aspects of their careers.

7. What is your favorite memory at an AIS event (ICIS/AMCIS) or affiliated conference (ECIS/PAIS/etc.)?

The most memorable event was the opening reception at ICIS Austin. It was incredibly rewarding to see people gathered live and in person, along with hundreds online, experiencing ICIS together. It was an emotional moment; perhaps even a tear was shed.

Another standout memory was my first ICIS in Las Vegas. I had the opportunity to meet several exceptionally gifted senior scholars. Their approachability and openness, even toward a humble PhD student like myself, was remarkable. During your first year, it’s common to question whether this path is the right one for you. However, after that experience at ICIS, I was completely committed.

8. Who have been major influencers not just in your career, but also in your volunteer service with AIS and why?

Joe Valacich is why I’m here. He gave a kid from the University of Montana a chance, and boy I was rough out of the gate. But he stuck with me, mentored me, and showed me how important service was to my career. If you don’t know about Joe’s dedication to AIS, you should. He is the model of selfless giving and high standards.

9. What are some of the most important research areas with the potential for lasting global impact that IS researchers should focus on more?

I’m a big fan of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals that have been established. When I reflect on these goals I see so many impactful IS research opportunities. We have the solutions!

10. What is the one trend you are most excited about for the future of IS?

I’ll say it again: whenever I meet doctoral students and new faculty members, I'm truly blown away by their training, insights, and enthusiasm. For me, these individuals are the most thrilling aspect of the future of the AIS. In short, it is the people and the future leaders that I’m most excited about.