The formal teaching qualification demonstrated by a habilitation is a special expression of above-average research activity at universities of applied sciences (HaW).
“Prof. Gewald's habilitation is an extraordinary event – both for his own academic career and for the HNU,” says HNU President Prof. Dr. Uta M. Feser. “We are proud of this high distinction, which further strengthens our scientific profile.” Prof. Gewald is the first HNU professor to obtain a habilitation during his teaching and research activities at the university.
Focus of the postdoctoral thesis: human interaction in the digital transformation
In his postdoctoral thesis entitled “Human Interactions in the Context of Digital Transformation – Theoretical Foundation and Empirical Evidence,” Prof. Gewald examines the effects of digital transformation on interpersonal cooperation. “Digital transformation has a profound impact on all people, whether in their professional or private lives. The aim of my research was and is to understand these effects and to derive recommendations for action for a better digital transformation that involves people and is of lasting benefit to them,” explains Gewald. “The research work in the course of my habilitation has opened up new insights for me, which are incorporated into my teaching at the university, but also form the basis for further research. A particular focus is on how digital transformation is influencing our changing society, especially with regard to the demographic changes of an aging society.”
Outstanding contributions to business informatics
Prof. Dr. habil. Heiko Gewald has been Professor of Information Management since 2010 and Research Professor at HNU since 2014. In addition to his role as Director of the Institute for Digital Innovation (IDI), he is also Honorary Professor at Macquarie University in Sydney and Co-Spokesperson for the Digital Health Section of the German Informatics Society. Gewald has received several international awards for his services to business informatics, most recently through his admission to the Senior Scholar College der Association for Information Systems (AIS).
“Prof. Gewald's habilitation is a testament to his outstanding research work, which has had a significant impact on HNU,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Elmar Buchner, HNU Vice President for Research and Young Talent Development. “It represents another milestone in the further development of research at our university.”
Curriculum vitae
Prof. Dr. habil. Heiko Gewald studied business administration at the universities of Bamberg, Edinburgh, and Los Angeles (UCLA) and earned his doctorate in business informatics at Goethe University Frankfurt. He wrote his dissertation on the outsourcing of business processes at the eFinanceLab of the universities of Frankfurt and Darmstadt. Before being appointed to HNU, Gewald held management positions at various international management consultancies. His research focuses on eHealth and digital innovations for an aging society. He is currently involved in research projects that aim to derive emotions from the human voice so that they can be used beneficially in a medical context.
To the profile
Prof. Dr. habil. Heiko Gewald
