A research career connecting technology, economics and people
Vivian’s academic path began when, during her master’s thesis, she explored how technology affects healthcare from both social and economic perspectives. This discovery came to define her entire research career.When she joined Department of Computer and Information Science (IDA) in the mid鈥�1990s, the potential of digitalisation within healthcare was still largely undeveloped. Vivian, however, recognised early on how the combination of technology, organisation and socio鈥慹conomics could contribute to more equitable, accessible and resource鈥慹fficient healthcare systems.
Since then, she has played a key role in building a research field that today is central to the ongoing transformation of health and social care.
Models used internationally
One of Vivian’s most significant contributions is her work in developing socio鈥憈echnical and socio鈥慹conomic evaluation models. These models capture not only the costs and benefits of e鈥慼ealth solutions, but also how innovations affect staff, patients, organisations and the wider social structure.At a time when digitalisation is one of the strongest drivers of change in healthcare, her models have become important tools for researchers, decision鈥憁akers and healthcare organisations internationally.
“Digital solutions can create enormous value, but only if we understand their real effects in complex systems,” she says. “That is why analyses must be both broad and deep, and include human, technical and organisational dimensions.”
Nordic and international knowledge exchange
As part of a Nordic research network, Vivian collaborates with colleagues in several countries to compare how different e鈥慼ealth initiatives function in practice. Although Sweden is advanced in many areas, the collaboration shows that other countries also offer valuable insights.“We learn from each other. And even if solutions cannot always be transferred directly, comparisons help us understand what actually creates value,” she says.
A driving force for gender equality in technology
At the Faculty of Science and Engineering at LiU, Vivian has also been a central figure in efforts to integrate gender equality into education and research. She developed a digital course for teachers and teaching assistants that later formed the basis for two European Erasmus projects with participants from several countries.
“Change requires both knowledge and courage – but also strong support from leadership. We had that, and it made our work successful,” she says.
Future healthcare: AI in focus
Looking ahead, Vivian sees artificial intelligence as one of the most powerful forces shaping the future of healthcare.- At IDA we have internationally recognised expertise in AI and data analytics. This gives us a strong position to contribute to the responsible development of future healthcare,” she says.
Proud moments and lasting memories
As a doctoral student, she received the prestigious AMIA Award, one of the most respected honours in health informatics. She has also been awarded The Goals Medal at the international world conference on e鈥慼ealth, recognising her important contributions to scientific models that make it possible to measure and understand the effects of implementing e鈥慼ealth.But what she returns to most often is the importance of support and collaboration.
“Supportive supervisors and dedicated colleagues have been crucial. Research is not only about ideas – it is about people,” she says.
An academic career that leaves a mark
Vivian’s work has helped shape the understanding of how digitalisation can strengthen healthcare without replacing the human dimension. Through research, international collaborations and educational initiatives, she has influenced policy, practice and education.And although she was recently recognised for 30 years of service through the NOR award, it is her scientific contributions that will continue to influence the development of e鈥慼ealth for many years to come.
