Information systems research should influence the digital policy process

In this provocation, I argue that just as information systems research presents practical implications for organizations so the research should also influence the digital policy process. I argue that information systems researchers are missing an important opportunity for combining research–with–practice and are allowing other fields (computer science, law etc.) to shape our digital futures. I explore some of the reasons given for not seeking to influence the policy process and address these challenges with examples of the kinds of possibilities that policy engagement enables including opportunities for innovative research contributions and satisfy emerging requirements from our journals for significance or contribution statements.