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Global Digital Governance Lab: A Digital Vision

Yu-Che Chen and Jooho Lee

Omaha – With its mission to develop innovative theory and practice to advance good digital governance globally, the Global Digital Governance Lab (GDGL) has its sights set on the future.

The Global Digital Governance Lab is an exciting initiative supported by the School of Public Administration and the College of Public Affairs and Community Service. Digital governance focuses on the use of information and communication technologies for governance of public affairs and delivery of public information and services. With a strong base in local and international collaborations, our team aims to advance research in digital governance.

UNO’s School of Public Administration faculty, Yu-Che Chen, Ph.D., and Jooho Lee, Ph.D., lead up the efforts of the GDGL, along with help from dedicated doctoral students. Just this year, Chen, director of the Lab, served as the lead editor and contributor to the Handbook on Information Technology in Government, published by Routledge. In addition, Chen and Lee co-authored a journal article, in Public Management Review, a leading journal in the field of public administration.

The vision of the network is to leverage collaborative energy to solve complex public service problems facing our communities."

 Yu-Che Chen, director of GDGL

Both Chen and Jooho Lee have big plans for the future of the GDGL. “I aspire to foster the development of an interdisciplinary network of scholars and practitioners in collaboration with organizations and communities in Omaha, the region, and around the world. The vision of the network is to leverage collaborative energy to solve complex public service problems facing our communities,” shares Chen.

The Global Digital Governance Lab was recently selected as a partner with the Center for Public Affairs Research (CPAR) for a five-year project funded by Nebraska Department of Roads. “I see this as a collaboration that is an invaluable opportunity to strengthen our ability to conduct research on and manage statewide IT-enabled public transit services, which enrich our understanding about public transportation services in Nebraska,” says Lee, associate director of the Lab.

The GDGL is currently working on research surrounding the use of information and communication technologies in public governance and public services. Other research areas include smart city and collaborative governance, social media adoption and e-participation, and big data/open government.

Big things are happening to propel the mission and vision of the Lab. The Global Digital Governance Lab has a bright future of shaping innovation for the School of Public Administration, the University of Nebraska at Omaha and beyond.