A Follow-up Message from the AIS Leadership

Dear AIS Members,

We sincerely thank those of you who took the time to complete the recent Pulse survey. It was important for us to understand our community’s perceptions regarding current political events impinging on our field.

With the survey invitations sent to all AIS members, the Leadership Team greatly appreciates the valuable insights provided by the 253 members who responded, highlighting concerns about academic freedoms, collaboration, international travel and the pursuit of research on specific topics. Your input helps us attend to the issues of most importance to our members as we seek w ays to help address the concerns.

AIS unequivocally affirms our value and commitment to academic freedom, scholarly independence and the free open exchange of ideas and scientific inquiry. We decry any attempts to impede these freedoms. To this end:

• AIS has supported the Call for Constructive Engagement issued on April 12, 2025, with the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). (https://www.aacu.org/newsroom/a-call-for-constructive-engagement).
• AIS re-affirms many of the statements by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), including their Academic Freedom Field Guide (https://www.aaup.org/programs/academic-freedom/center-defense-academic-freedom/academic-freedom-field-guide)

The survey showed that over half the respondents were concerned about their abilities to publish research on specific topics and to collaborate with researchers in certain countries. We stress that AIS journals and conferences are fully committed to supporting IS research in all its diversity. Research at AIS conferences and journals is accepted based on scientific merit alone and must not be affected in any way by any political preference. If you are conducting research on topics that have become politically sensitive, such as research on diversity, equity, inclusion, gender, healthcare, sustainability, social justice, your work is invited in all AIS venues, just as all other IS topics are welcome. Likewise, AIS Communities (e.g., SIGs and Colleges) are firmly committed to supporting collaborations across the world without restriction. The AIS has always sought to create an inclusive, developmental, and vibrant global community of IS scholarship, and we will strengthen these efforts even further in response to members’ concerns. If you continue to have concerns about these issues over time, please reach out to us.

The survey also revealed that many AIS members are concerned about research-related travel because of potential visa issues, political preferences regarding research topics, or general unease. We take these concerns seriously .  All conference chairs this year are actively monitoring the evolving developments and discussing potential contingency plans. It is important to keep in mind that IS conference locations and logistics are determined years in advance to facilitate cost-effective conference arrangements. However, these early decisions come with financial and logistical implications, especially when considering alternative options closer to the actual conference dates.

The survey responses also included many qualitative comments. These comments provided additional insights into the quantitative results as well as raising other points that the AIS Leadership Team and AIS Council will continue to consider, including concerns over research funding, environmental sustainability, and scientific values. A general theme in some of these comments was the need for AIS to continue taking a global perspective rather than the perspective of just one region. Just like most associations, our association is inevitably incorporated in a particular jurisdiction. The AIS is incorporated as a non-profit association in the USA and the AIS must therefore comply with US laws. However, AIS has held a global focus from its inception. It is core to everything we do. We will continue to strengthen our global focus and capabilities over time.

As a global association, we celebrate the diversity of our membership, which spans different regions and countries. We remain committed to fostering and serving our global diversity. At every level, AIS’ global mission is embedded into our structure, bylaws, policies, and membership. AIS is organized into three regions - Region 1 (The Americas), Region 2 (Europe, Africa, and the Middle East), and Region 3 (Asia Pacific). More than 64% of AIS’ membership reside outside of North America.  AIS bylaws require that the selection and election of the AIS President rotates between the three regions from one year to the next.  Similarly, the location of ICIS is required to rotate between three regions from one year to the next.  The AIS June/July Council meetings also rotate among the three regional conferences, ensuring that AIS Council members and staff engage with attendees in each region in a three-year period. In addition to offering scholarship programs to assist with travel and registration expenses at AIS conferences, the association also provides an accessible dues structure that ensures IS academics from the lowest income countries can afford to participate in the Association.

Overall, we recognize that current political trends are creating challenges for academics and their associated universities.  All of us on the leadership team, AIS Council, the DEI committee, and AIS staff are monitoring the situation and committed to the wellbeing of our field and our members.

Thank you for your continued contributions.

Sincerely,

Andrew Burton-Jones
President | Association for Information Systems