Sean Wolfgand Matsui Siqueira

Academic Trajectory: Professor Siqueira has an excellent academic background, holding a degree in Computer Science from the Federal University of Goiás and master’s and doctoral degrees in Informatics from PUC-Rio, one of the country’s top computing institutions, classified as level 7 by CAPES (the highest possible score).

His multidisciplinary training is complemented by two specializations: one in Strategic Business Administration from UNESA and another in Humanities: Sociology, History, and Philosophy from PUC/RS. This unique combination of knowledge areas gives him a broader view of reality and the problems that computing can solve, allowing him to address complex issues holistically and innovatively.

It is also interesting to observe how his academic trajectory aligns with Information Systems: his undergraduate thesis focused on Requirements Engineering, his master’s degree was in Databases, with his dissertation explored business intelligence and analytics issues applied to Marketing. This intersection between technological solutions and application contexts that support businesses has always been present.

His doctorate was in the area of ​​Databases, with a focus on the structuring of learning content to enable reuse and personalization on the Web. Again, his work shows a concern with the state of the art in a technological solution, but with an applied social context, considering the interests and profile of the user, as well as questions about what will be best for those who will use the solution.

From there, his work in Information Systems and Informatics in Education becomes more evident.

Scientific Contribution: Prof. Siqueira has published several articles in high-impact journals and at conferences, with a distinguished career in Information Systems and Informatics in Education. In the field of Information Systems, he has long advocated for the search for the field’s identity, a deeper understanding of the specificities of Information Systems, going beyond the traditional definitions of the field, which focus on the business context, to a broader context of the individual and the social, of how technologies result from societal demands and, at the same time, have an impact on that society. Furthermore, he has explored new ways of designing systems, not based on traditional design models, but rather on speculative design and future studies. This innovative approach is beginning to yield results, demonstrating originality and potential for application, as seen in the first articles on this approach being published.

In the field of Informatics in Education, he has, for years, explored the development and structuring of content and lesson plans to better organize and use educational content, as well as to examine it in pedagogical activities that align with educational objectives. This trajectory in open learning objects and educational content, focusing on ontologies and open data from the Semantic Web movement, provides a strong foundation for lesson planning and curriculum and was a highlight in the field. On the other hand, he was also concerned with collaborative learning, activities that allowed the exchange of knowledge and experiences, collective constructions, and the various technologies that could support this context, which were the focus of his research during the explosion of the Social Web.

Subsequently, his focus on informal education, with people learning through interaction with technologies but without the proper didactic-pedagogical structure in these tools, drew his attention to the widespread use of search engines. He has become one of the leading researchers in the field of Search as Learning, a research area that emerged with this name in 2016 and which he embraced in 2018. His research in this area has earned him international recognition, as he was an invited speaker at international conferences in the United States and Europe in 2023. Now, he and his research group are focusing on what is being called “Searching and Chatting,” the interaction between AI conversational tools and search tools.

These two new research initiatives position Professor Siqueira for an even greater leap in scientific contribution.

Contribution to the PPGI: Professor Siqueira joined UNIRIO with a proposal for the recently approved Master’s course by CAPES and has been part of the Program since its creation. During the consolidation process of the Program, he was the coordinator of the PPGI-UNIRIO, leading the Program through the evaluation that led it to CAPES level 4 and to the approval of its doctoral course.

Professor Siqueira has always been involved in the Program’s committees, participating in all of them. He is always involved in decision-making and the planning of PPGI-UNIRIO activities, demonstrating unparalleled dedication to the Program. He again served as coordinator of PPGI-UNIRIO from 2023 to 2025, during which he played a crucial role in directing the program.

From a teaching perspective, Professor Siqueira has usually contributed two courses per year. Initially, he dedicated himself to thematic courses on technological innovation, more specifically focused on the web, such as Semantics on the Web and Web Science. At times, he taught the Fundamentals of Information Systems course, alternating with Professor Renata Araujo. Upon observing the students’ profiles, he requested that the faculty offer a Scientific Methodology course in the second semester (it was typically offered only once a year, in the first semester), and the result was significant. Since then, the course has been offered in both semesters. From 2018 onwards, Professor Siqueira began offering the Fundamentals of Information Systems course annually. Subsequently, with the new curriculum for the PPGI-UNIRIO courses, he dedicated himself to providing a foundation in Scientific Communication. Thus, Professor Siqueira’s contribution to providing a solid foundation for PPGI-UNIRIO students in both Information Systems and Scientific Communication, and to supporting them in writing scientific articles, is evident.

From an administrative perspective, Professor Siqueira has contributed to the PPGI-UNIRIO committees, playing a fundamental role in the Program, including serving on the Self-Assessment and Strategic Planning Committee during the 2017-2020 quadrennial period and coordinating the Program at the end of the 2021-2024 quadrennial period, preparing the documentation for the Program assessment by CAPES.

From the perspective of the PPGI-UNIRIO’s association with the field of Information Systems, Professor Siqueira has committed himself, being involved in various activities at the Brazilian Symposium on Information Systems over the years, serving as editor-in-chief of iSys – Brazilian Journal of Information Systems and acting as a member of the Special Committee on Information Systems in several administrations, having been coordinator and vice-coordinator.

Thus, it is evident that Professor Siqueira has made a great contribution to the PPGI-UNIRIO and is dedicated to the group.

Researcher Training: Professor Siqueira deeply values ​​his role in the training of new researchers. Within the context of the Program, he is deeply dedicated to providing students with a solid foundation in Information Systems, offering diverse perspectives and reflections on the field and on working in it. Observing the students’ difficulty in writing scientific articles, he also supports them on this journey. Students recognize that their perception of the field changes after the course and that they are making progress in producing scientific articles.

The large number of awards, whether for best article, best reviewer, or thesis/dissertation by his students, demonstrates Professor Siqueira’s strong commitment to the quality of teaching and research at PPGI-UNIRIO.

Professor Siqueira has attracted many students over the years. By 2024, he had already supervised more than 40 master’s dissertations and more than 10 doctoral theses. He has also supervised two postdoctoral researchers. He has mentored students who have received awards for best paper and best dissertation/thesis and who currently hold prominent positions in both academia and industry, such as professors at UFRJ and UFJF and innovation directors at companies in Brazil and abroad. His mentoring approach focuses on training conscious scientists capable of understanding and applying science critically and innovatively, with autonomy.

Visibility and Impact in the Scientific Community: Prof. Siqueira has been a pillar in the areas of Information Systems and Informatics in Education in Brazil. He is frequently involved in the organization and participation in key events in the field of Information Systems, such as the Brazilian Symposium on Information Systems (SBSI), where he coordinated the first edition of the Thesis and Dissertation workshop and the Thesis and Dissertation competition, in addition to several other initiatives in the IS community. Furthermore, Prof. Siqueira has had a strong presence on the SBC’s Special Committee on Information Systems over the years. His dedication was recognized with an award for his efforts at SBSI by the organizers of the conference’s 20th edition. Also noteworthy is Professor Siqueira’s recognition as a senior lecturer in Information Systems by the Brazilian Computer Society in 2024.

In the field of Informatics in Education, Professor Siqueira has coordinated the Brazilian Symposium on Informatics in Education (SBIE), was editor-in-chief of the Brazilian Journal of Informatics in Education (RBIE), and, in 2024, was one of the general coordinators of the Brazilian Congress on Informatics in Education (CBIE) in Rio de Janeiro, in addition to coordinating the Special Commission on Informatics in Education (CE-IE).

Professor Siqueira’s contributions to these two communities demonstrate his impact and the visibility he brings to the Program.

Key Qualities Highlighted by Professor Sean Siqueira:

1. Research Versatility:

• • Involvement in emerging themes such as Search as Learning and speculative design.
  • Ability to align theory and practice, connecting academic research to market needs.

2. Academia-Industry Connection:

• • Establishment of strategic partnerships with companies such as JusBrasil and Petrobras.
  • Integration of research results into real-world applications.

3. Leadership and Collaboration:

• • Outstanding performance in PPGI-UNIRIO activities.
  • Active role in academic committees and organization of scientific events.
  • Prominent role in initiatives that strengthen the visibility of PPGI-UNIRIO.

Plans for 2025-2028:

Prof. Siqueira recognizes the interaction of PPGI-UNIRIO with industry as the main challenge, due to obstacles in realizing technology transfer agreements funded within UNIRIO. It is essential for PPGI-UNIRIO to establish strategic partnerships to develop innovative projects through formal knowledge transfer and funding initiatives.

He mentioned an informal partnership with JusBrasil, in which he applied the results of his Search as Learning research to improve search tools. More recently, his research has opened doors for collaborations with Petrobras, with potential for speculative design projects. These initiatives strengthen both applied research and PPGI-UNIRIO’s visibility. The next step is to pave the way for agreements to be signed with funding.

Another challenge envisioned by Professor Siqueira is the sense of belonging, both among the professors themselves and the students and alumni of the Program. Although the PPGI-UNIRIO has consolidated and is gaining significant impact and recognition, Professor Siqueira observes that much of this is due to the personal initiatives of professors and students, and that if we organize ourselves more collectively, we will achieve a much higher level of scientific and social impact.

1. Strengthening Academic Production:

• • Publication of research results in high-impact journals and events.
  • Encouraging the participation of advisees in global conferences.

2. Innovation in Emerging Themes:

• • Exploration of new ethical approaches in computing and speculative design.
  • Development of socially responsible and ethically conscious systems.

3. Expanding International Collaborations:

• • Promotion of international experiences for students and faculty.
  • Strengthening participation in global research networks.