Short Bio
Professor Sheizaf Rafaeli (B.A., Haifa University, M.A. Ohio State University,
M.A., Ph.D., Stanford University) is Director of the the Sagy Center for Internet Research (InfoSoc, the Center for the Study of the Information Society) (1998 - present),
and former Head of the Graduate School of Management (2005-2011), University of
Haifa Israel.
He also leads the "Games for Exectives Project" and serves as Director in a series of public interest organizations.
Previously, he served as head of the Information Systems area at the GSB in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, since 1986.
His interests are in computers as media.
He has published on this topic in journals such as Behavior and Information
Technology, Communication Research, Computers and the Social Sciences,
Computers and Human Behaviour (CHB), Journal of Communication, Information
and Software Technology, Information Systems Research (ISR), Information Systems
Journal (ISJ), the European Journal of Information Systems (EJIS), the International
Journal of Electronic Business, the International Journal of Human-Computer Studies
(IJHCS), Computers and Education, the International Journal of Simulation and Process
Modelling (IJSPM), and the Journal of Broadcasting.
Sheizaf has been writing weekly columns for the Globes and Calcalist financial and
business newspapers, and for YNet, a leading news portal.
He is also active in practicing what he preaches: He has been involved in building
internet-based activities such as online higher-education, journalism, political,
governmental, social and economic virtual organizations and efforts.
He authored software and books on graphics, electronic spreadsheets and statistical
analysis, and a textbook on information systems for the Open University.
He is co-editor, along with Fay Sudweeks and Margaret McLaughlin, of Network and
NetPlay: Virtual Groups on the Internet published by MIT Press, 1998.
He served as co-coordinator of the international ProjectH. He served as founder and co-editor
of The Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, and is proud of initiating and
setting up the SHIL (Citizen's Advice Board) online serice. He is currently member
of several editorial boards, including those of JCMC, ITSharenet and IJKL. Prof.
Rafaeli is a long time member of the Stockholm International Challenge Jury for
Information Systems' Projects.
Sheizaf has served in visiting research and teaching positions at Ohio State University,
Michigan State University, IBM, Stanford University, Technion, Israeli College of
Management, and the University of Michigan.
His current interests include Electronic Business, Information Studies, Computer Mediated Communication, Social Networks Analysis, and Online Games, Simulation, and Serious Games.
Over the past twenty five years he has taught courses on computers as media, and
the social implications of new communication technologies, as well as numerous
Information Systems' courses.
