Randy Wong is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Information Systems at the University of Auckland. Her research focuses on the societal and ethical implications of digital technologies. She is an active member of the AIS community and values the supportive network it provides. She is honored to receive the AIS Early Career Award and grateful to the AIS community for its role in shaping her academic journey.

Receiving the AIS Early Career Award was honestly a surprise to me. I remember hearing about it when I was a PhD student and thinking of it as something distant, something that belonged to scholars I admired. To be nominated and receive it feels both unexpected and extremely meaningful.
At this stage of my career, the award feels like reassurance and encouragement. After graduation, building my own research identity came with uncertainty. This recognition encourages me by affirming that the work I have been doing has contributed.

More than anything, I see this award as a reflection of collective support from mentors, collaborators, students, and colleagues. It is not an arrival point, but momentum, and a reminder to continue contributing with care and purpose.

The early-career stage has been both exciting and demanding. One of the biggest challenges was transitioning from being guided as a PhD student to building my own identity as an independent researcher. As a faculty member, you are expected not only to develop your own research program but also to mentor others. Stepping into that role while still refining my own research voice required a shift in mindset and learning to trust my judgment.
Moving to a new university also meant adapting to different systems and expectations while balancing research, service, and teaching. There were moments of doubt, especially during difficult revision cycles and heavy workload. What helped most was mentorship and perspective. Over time, I learned that steady persistence and long-term focus matter more than immediate outcomes.

I am still learning myself, but one thing I have been reflecting on is how quickly our landscape is changing, especially with AI now able to do things that once took us much longer. It makes me think about the importance of intellectual identity: the kinds of questions we care about and the perspective we uniquely bring. Tools and methods will continue to evolve, but clarity about that identity can provide direction.

I have also found that working on topics that interest me helps sustain motivation over time. Research can move slowly, and progress is not always immediately visible. Patience and long-term thinking seem important.

Collaboration and simple kindness have also shaped my experience in meaningful ways. Some of the most rewarding work has come from shared thinking and mutual trust. The people we meet along the way often become long-term collaborators, colleagues, or unexpected sources of support.

The most rewarding part of my time as an AIS volunteer has been the sense of community. Being involved behind the scenes allowed me to see how much care and quiet dedication sustain our field. Conferences and journals may appear seamless, but they are made possible by many people who generously give their time and energy.

Working with program teams, AIS colleagues, review coordinators, and student volunteers has been especially meaningful. I have seen their patience, responsibility, and willingness to step in whenever needed. Those shared efforts, sometimes late nights, sometimes small details, created a strong sense of trust and teamwork.

These experiences made me feel more connected to AIS, not just as a researcher, but as part of a community that supports one another. That sense of belonging has been the most rewarding part for me.

One of my favorite memories at AIS events is something quite simple: reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones. Over time, I have come to appreciate how conferences feel less like formal gatherings and more like a community coming together. Between sessions, over coffee, or during small conversations, you hear about each other’s progress, new ideas, and even personal milestones.

After becoming more involved behind the scenes, I also started to notice the quiet dedication of those who make these events possible. Sitting in a ceremony and realizing how many people contribute behind the scenes felt unexpectedly moving. Those shared moments of connection and gratitude are what I treasure most.