Keywords
Fields of Research (FoR)
Business information systems, Virtual and mixed realityBiography
Dr Michael (Mike) Cahalane is a Senior Lecturer in Information Systems at the UNSW Business School. He holds a B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Information Systems from University College Cork, Ireland. His research investigates the role of emerging digital technologies (particularly artificial intelligence, immersive systems, and digital work) in reshaping organisations and society.
At UNSW, Dr Cahalane has held leadership roles including Deputy Head of...view more
Dr Michael (Mike) Cahalane is a Senior Lecturer in Information Systems at the UNSW Business School. He holds a B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Information Systems from University College Cork, Ireland. His research investigates the role of emerging digital technologies (particularly artificial intelligence, immersive systems, and digital work) in reshaping organisations and society.
At UNSW, Dr Cahalane has held leadership roles including Deputy Head of School (Education) and currently serves as Honours Coordinator and Nexus Fellow. He has led curriculum innovation across the Bachelor of Information Systems and postgraduate programs, designed programming, capstone and research methods courses, and advances a values-driven pedagogy of kindness approach to teaching. His academic leadership extends to doctoral training, accreditation processes, and the strategic development of IS education.
My Qualifications
Dr Cahalane holds a BSc in Information Systems and a PhD in Information Systems from University College Cork, Ireland.
My Research Activities
Dr Cahalane's research explores the interplay of digital technologies, organisations, and society. His work examines artificial intelligence, immersive systems, and digital work through qualitative and theoretical lenses, drawing on frameworks such as Activity Theory, Affordance Theory, and Construal Level Theory. He has published in leading journals including the Journal of Business Ethics, Information Systems Journal, Journal of the Association for Information Systems, AIS Transactions on Human–Computer Interaction, and Behaviour & Information Technology. His conference contributions span ICIS, ECIS, PACIS, and ACIS.
Dr Cahalane currently contributes to several research streams on digital innovation, immersive collaboration, and human–AI interaction, and actively supervises Honours and higher-degree information systems research students.
My Research Supervision
Supervision keywords
Areas of supervision
I supervise Honours and PhD students in the areas of digital work, immersive systems, and AI cognition, with a strong focus on responsible innovation and interdisciplinary inquiry. My supervision approach combines academic rigour with structured support, fostering student confidence, research capability, and publication outcomes.
As Honours Coordinator for the School of Information Systems and Technology Management (SISTM), I also lead supervisory development and promote inclusive, high-quality research training practices.
My PhD Supervision
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Supervised 7 PhD students to successful completion at UNSW.
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Research topics include digital nomadism, open-source innovation, AI-enabled decision-making, and strategic IS leadership.
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Several student projects have led to peer-reviewed publications and recognition in the Information Systems research community.
My Honours Supervision
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Supervised 12 Honours students across topics such as AI in immersive environments, gamification, esports, and remote work.
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Student outcomes include the University Medal, Weinstock Prize, and the SISTM PAT Award.
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Many of my students have presented at conferences or co-authored publications as part of their research.
My Research Training Leadership
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Coordinate the SISTM Honours program and mentor academic colleagues in effective, inclusive supervision practices.
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Deliver research capability-building initiatives, including qualitative methods workshops and NVivo training.
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Support student research engagement through structured guidance, academic development, and dissemination pathways.
My Teaching
My teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate Information Systems education, with a focus on curriculum leadership, agile methodologies, and student-centred learning. I adopt a pedagogy of kindness that emphasises clarity, inclusion, and real-world relevance. I have coordinated and taught across core and advanced courses, including capstone projects, qualitative research methods, and AI fluency, supporting both foundational skills and advanced inquiry.
Teaching Areas
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Information Systems Innovation and Transformation (Undergraduate Capstone)
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AI Fluency and Emerging Technologies
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Advanced Qualitative Research Methods
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UX Design, Enterprise Architecture, and Mobile Application Development
Curriculum Innovation
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Led major revisions of the BIS program, embedding new offerings in UX, cloud architecture, and cybersecurity.
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Introduced agile project-based learning across undergraduate capstones.
Location
Quadrangle Building,
West Wing, Level 2
Contact
Publications
ORCID as entered in ROS
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4301-378X