HISP Centre Research group receives strong marks from the Research Council of Norway
The Information Systems Research Group at the University of Oslo, home to the HISP Centre and global DHIS2 development, has been commended for its international leadership, societal impact, and interdisciplinary research.
As part of the 2023–2024 national Evaluation of Mathematics, ICT and Technology, the Research Council of Norway has released its assessment of the Information Systems Research Group at the Department of Informatics, University of Oslo (UiO). The evaluation highlights the group’s contributions to global research and development in digital public health, particularly through the global HISP network and the development and scaling of DHIS2. The overall score of 24 out of 25 possible points puts the IS Research Group at a top international level, and makes it one of the highest-ranked research groups in Norway.
The Information Systems (IS) Research Group is a core part of the HISP Centre at UiO (HISP UiO). It is an interdisciplinary and international team of researchers working at the intersection of information systems, public health, and global development, with a strong focus on the digitalization of health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Its work supports the design and implementation of robust information systems that improve data use and decision-making in global health, education, climate, logistics, and more.
The evaluation, conducted by a panel of international experts, praised HISP UiO’s global leadership in the field of Information and Communications Technology for Development (ICT4D), citing its successful development and coordination of the global HISP network and the open-source DHIS2 platform. HISP UiO’s status as a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Innovation and Implementation Research was noted as a marker of the group’s international prominence.
“Overall, the IS group demonstrates a high level of performance across various evaluation criteria and makes a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge in an international context,” the report states. “Its strong emphasis on societal impact, coupled with a global perspective and collaborative ethos, positions it favourably for continued success in achieving its goals and maintaining its leadership position in the field.”
In the report, the panel also highlighted the impact of HISP and DHIS2, both for the group’s “large line of research spanning decades and including a variety of aspects at very different scales,” and for its software that supports public services in the Global South. “[…] The DHIS2 Health Toolkit is a game changer in a sector of public services building in the Global South that has required years of continuous and relentless engagement and has led to great impact,” the report states.
Key strengths identified in the evaluation include:
- Global Impact: Through the DHIS2 platform and the HISP network, the IS group contributes to strengthening national health systems in over 80 countries. Its global reach is underpinned by deep partnerships and a commitment to capacity building in LMICs.
- Research Excellence: The group maintains a strong record of publications in top-tier Information Systems journals and demonstrates thought leadership in both academic and practitioner communities.
- Societal Relevance: The group’s focus on digital tools for public health, combined with its training of PhD candidates—particularly from the Global South—supports sustainable development and equitable knowledge transfer.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Its ability to bridge fields such as computer science, public health, and development studies strengthens the depth and relevance of its research.
While the evaluation also notes challenges related to recent personnel changes and the need to sustain momentum through continued strategic investment, the overall assessment is clear: the IS Research Group at HISP UiO is a national leader in ICT4D and a globally recognized contributor to the digital transformation of public health.
Background
The Information Systems Research Group at the University of Oslo is embedded within the Department of Informatics and is the academic foundation of the HISP Centre. The Centre leads global development and research on DHIS2, an open-source software platform used for data collection, analysis, and management in health and other sectors. The HISP Centre coordinates a global network of researchers and implementers working to improve health information systems and support countries in achieving better public health outcomes through digital innovation.
