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Kristin Braa

Professor - HISP-senter

E-post kbraa@ifi.uio.no

Telefon +47 22 85 27 54

Mobiltelefon +47 41 63 02 60

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Besøksadresse Gaustadalléen 30 0373 Oslo

Postadresse Gaustadalléen 30 0373 Oslo

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If you wish to contact Kristin Braa by email, please cc kristin.braa@gmail.com.

Professor Kristin Braa is the Director of the HISP Centre at the Department of Informatics. She resumed as a Professor in 2009 after 8 years as Research Director at Telenor (an international mobile operator), where she built up and headed a Research and Innovation centre in Malaysia for all Telenor Asian operations. She was previously the Vice Head of the Department of Informatics and head of the Information Systems (IS) research group. Kristin won the 2023 AIS Impact Award and the 2020 Roux Prize (both received jointly with her brother Professor Jørn Braa), as well as the University of Oslo Innovation prize for her work in HISP.

Kristin's research interest lies in mobile extensions of the open source District Health Information System (DHIS2) software with the aim of generating new knowledge about the development and use of mobile IT in low resource settings. She has recently managed two action research projects: MobiHealth: Developing Health Service Networks through Mobile Solutions in Low Resource Settings (2010-2014); Strengthening national Health Information Systems in the South, NORAD (2010 – 2014). Kristin has a keen interest in the further development of action-research methods to drive innovation, a key success factor for HISP. The focus of her recent research has been to identify innovative ways to support health care workers in rural areas and to extend health systems to reach underserved populations in developing countries.

Kristin's research vision is to contribute to the development of sustainable information systems that empower communities and allow decision makers to improve coverage and quality of health services. This is best done, she believes, through engaged researchers' active and long-term participation in the strengthening of national health information systems.

Portrait [in Norwegian]- "Rebellen med en god sak: Hvor var DU da Kristin Braa radbrakk nedleggelsen av kvoteordningen for studenter fra utviklingsland?"

Ndagijimana, Similien; Semakula, Muhammed; Ishimwe, Christa; Sebakunzi, Thierry; Umuhire, Vivianne Niyonkuru & Hirwa, Sylvain Muzungu [Vis alle 24 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2026). Spatial and spatio-temporal modelling of climate variability and under-five diarrhoeal disease in Rwanda. Environmental Research: Health. 4(3), s. 1–13. doi: 10.1088/2752-5309/ae8322. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag
Background. Diarrhoeal disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years (U5) in Rwanda, contributing substantially to healthcare utilisation and imposing considerable economic burdens on households and the health system. National estimates indicate that approximately 14.3% of children under five experienced diarrhoea in the two weeks preceding the 2019–2020 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey, and diarrhoea has been reported as the third leading cause of death in this age group. Climate variability may influence the risk of diarrhoeal disease, but evidence on how specific climatic factors affect diarrhoeal incidence across Rwanda’s diverse ecological zones and seasons remains limited. This study examined associations between maximum temperature, minimum temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity and U5 diarrhoeal incidence at the sector level in Rwanda. Methods. Monthly counts of U5 diarrhoeal cases reported by health facilities across 416 administrative sectors in Rwanda from January 2015 to December 2024 were analysed together with satellite-derived climate data. Spatio-temporal statistical models were used to evaluate associations between standardised climate variables and diarrhoeal incidence rates while accounting for geographic and seasonal variation. Model comparison relied on both goodness-of-fit metrics and out-of-sample predictive diagnostics. Results. Diarrhoeal incidence showed clear spatial and seasonal patterns, with persistently higher rates in northern and eastern Rwanda. In the final model maximum temperature was positively associated with increased diarrhoeal incidence, with a one-standard-deviation increase corresponding to a 5.6% rise in the estimated incidence rate ratio (RR = 1.056; 95% CrI: 1.02–1.09). Relative humidity showed a protective association (RR ≈ 0.919; 95% CrI: 0.89–0.94), while rainfall showed limited immediate effects. Conclusion. Under-five diarrhoeal incidence in Rwanda showed marked spatial and seasonal variability. Maximum temperature was positively associated with diarrhoeal incidence rates, while relative humidity showed an inverse association that may partly reflect unmeasured confounding by drought, water access, and WASH infrastructure. External validation is needed before the modelling framework can be applied operationally. These findings highlight the importance of preparedness during hotter periods and strengthened prevention and surveillance efforts in high-risk areas.
Braa, Kristin; Nielsen, Petter & Titlestad, Ola Hodne (2014). Innovation for Health in Developing Countries, Medical Technology - Meeting Tomorrow's Health Care Challenges. Novus Forlag. ISSN 9788270997916. s. 21–37. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin & Nielsen, Petter (2014). Kapasitetsbygging og innovasjon i helsesystemer i sør. Arr - Idéhistorisk tidsskrift. ISSN 0802-7005. s. 53–60. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Sanner, Terje Aksel; Roland, Lars Kristian & Braa, Kristin (2012). From pilot to scale: Towards and mHealth typology for low-resource contexts. Health Policy and Technology. ISSN 2211-8837. 1(1), s. 155–164. doi: 10.1016/j.hlpt.2012.07.009. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Sheikh, Yahya Hamad & Braa, Kristin (2011). MOBILISING LOCAL NETWORKS OF IMPLEMENTERS TO ADDRESS HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEMS SUSTAINABILITY. Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries. 48(6), s. 1–21. doi: 10.1002/j.1681-4835.2011.tb00342.x. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin & Purkayastha, Saptarshi (2010). Sustainable Mobile Information Infrastructures in Low Resource Settings. I Nøhr, Christian & Aarts, Jos (Red.), Information Technology in Health Care: Socio-Technical Approaches 2010. IOS Press. ISSN 9781607505686. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Lundby, Knut; Syvertsen, Trine & Braa, Kristin (2003). Kommunikasjon, IKT, medier (KIM). Innstilling om et forskningsprogram fra et utvalg nedsatt av Området for Kultur og samfunn, Norges forskningsråd. Nordicom Information. ISSN 0349-5949. 25(1-2), s. 101–117. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Hanseth, Ole; Ciborra, Claudio & Braa, Kristin (2001). The Control Devolution. ERP and the Side-effects of Globalization. Data Base for Advances in Information Systems. ISSN 1532-0936. 12(4), s. 34–46. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Hanseth, Ole & Braa, Kristin (2001). Hunting for the treasure at the end of the rainbow. Standardizing corporate IT infrastructure. Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW). ISSN 0925-9724. 10(3-4), s. 261–292. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Hanseth, Ole & Braa, Kristin (2000). Globalization and "Risk Society", From Control to Drift. The Dynamics of Corporate Information Infrastructures. Oxford University Press. ISSN 9780198297345. s. 41–55. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin & Sandahl, Tone Irene (2000). Documents - From paperwork to network. I Braa, Kristin; Sørensen, Carsten & Dahlbom, Bo (Red.), Planet Internet. Studentlitteratur, Lund, Sweeden. s. 41–65. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Hanseth, Ole & Braa, Kristin (2000). Who's in Control: Designers, Mangers - or Technology? Infrastructures at Norsk Hydro, From Control to Drift. The Dynamics of Corporate Information Infrastructures. Oxford University Press. ISSN 9780198297345. s. 125–147. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin; Sørensen, Carsten & Dahlbom, Bo (2000). Changes - From observation to intervention. I Braa, Kristin; Sørensen, Carsten & Dahlbom, Bo (Red.), Planet Internet. Studentlitteratur, Lund, Sweeden. s. 251–277. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin; Sørensen, Carsten & Dahlbom, Bo (2000). Changes - From big calculators to global network. I Braa, Kristin; Sørensen, Carsten & Dahlbom, Bo (Red.), Planet Internet. Studentlitteratur, Lund, Sweeden. s. 13–65. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Hanseth, Ole & Braa, Kristin (1999). SAP as Emergent Infrastructure in a Global Organization. Systèms d'Information et Management. 4(4). Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin & Vidgen, R. (1999). Interpretation, intervention, and reduction in the organizational laboratory: a framework for in-context information system research. Accounting management and information technologies. ISSN 0959-8022. 9, s. 25–47. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin & Sandahl, Tone Irene (1999). Fra papir til nett. I Braa, Kristin; Hetland, Per & Liestøl, Gunnar (Red.), Nettsamfunn. Tano, Oslo. s. 314–323. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin & Sandahl, Tone Irene (1999). From Paperwork to Network. I Ljungberg, F. (Red.), Informatics in the Next Millenium. Studentlitteratur, Sverige. ISSN 9789144012773. s. 225–243. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin & Sørensen, Carsten (1998). The Internet Factor. Scandinavian Journal of Information Systems (SJIS). ISSN 0905-0167. 10(1&2), s. 235–241. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv

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Ciborra, Claudio; Braa, Kristin; Cordella, Antonio; Failla, Angelo; Hanseth, Ole & Hepsø, Vidar [Vis alle 9 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2000). From Control to Drift. The Dynamics of Corporate Information Infrastructures. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198297345. 250 s. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin; Sørensen, Carsten & Dahlbom, Bo (2000). Planet Internet. Studentlitteratur, Lund, Sweeden. -1 s. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin; Hetland, Per & Liestøl, Gunnar (1999). Nettsamfunn. Tano, Oslo. -1 s. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Hetland, Per; Braa, Kristin & Liestøl, Gunnar (1999). Nettsamfunn. Aschehoug & Co. ISBN 9788251839389. 326 s. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin; Hetland, Per & Liestøl, Gunnar (1999). netts@mfunn. Aschehoug & Co. ISBN 9788251839389. -1 s. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv

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Dæhlen, Morten; Sandve, Geir Kjetil Ferkingstad & Braa, Kristin (2023). KI-milliarden må brukes på en rettferdig grønn og digital omstilling. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Sæbø, Johan Ivar; Nielsen, Petter & Braa, Kristin (2020). Norsk teknologi kan overvåke og begrense korona-utbruddet. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin & Nielsen, Petter (2015). Sustainable Action Research: The Networks of Actions Approach. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin & Nielsen, Petter (2013). Leveraging the potential of mobiles in developing country health initiatives: From ICT4D to information infrastructures 4D. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Geirbo, Hanne Cecilie; Bakken, Vebjørn & Braa, Kristin (2012). Leveraging mobile network infrastructure for rural electrification - experiences from an ongoing pilot project in Bangladesh. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Bakken, Vebjørn; Geirbo, Hanne Cecilie & Braa, Kristin (2012). Community power project in Bangladesh. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Wilhite, Harold Langford; Elverhøi, Anders; Bakken, Vebjørn; Winther, Tanja; Braa, Kristin & Geirbo, Hanne Cecilie (2012). Social impacts of electricity in rural areas. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Sanner, Terje Aksel; Braa, Kristin & Roland, Lars Kristian (2012). From Pilot to Scale: Towards a mHealth Typology for Low Resource Contexts. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Sanner, Terje Aksel & Braa, Kristin (2011). Making mHealth happen for Health Information systems in low resource settings. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin (2010). Kvinner, teknologi og strategier i en mannsdominert verden. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin (2010). eHealth/mHealth, Building Infrastructure for Interoperability. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin & Asangansi, Ime Effiong (2010). The Emergence of Mobile-Supported National Health Information Systems in Developing Countries. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin & Purkayastha, Saptarshi (2010). Sustainable Mobile Information Infrastructures in Low Resource Settings. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin; asalfew, abyot & Purkayastha, Saptarshi (2010). mHealth Solutions in Low Resource Settings. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin & Rolland, Knut-Helge Ronæs (2000). Horizontal Information Systems: Emergent Trends and Perspectives. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Hanseth, Ole & Braa, Kristin (1999). Hunting for the treasure at the end of the rainbow. Standardizing corporate IT infrastructure. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin (1999). The Internet Project. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin (1999). Interdiciplinarity in Information Comunication Research. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin (1999). Netts@mfunn. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin (1999). Skal nerden styre verden? Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin (1999). Skal nerden styre verden? Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Braa, Kristin; Sørensen, Carsten & Dahlbom, Bo (1999). Planet internet - Challenges Facing Informatics. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Stuedahl, Dagny & Braa, Kristin (1997). Where have all the Women Gone - from Computer Science?". Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Stuedahl, Dagny & Braa, Kristin (1997). Where have all the women gone - from informatics. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
Amuha, Monica Grace; Masiero, Silvia; Braa, Kristin & Sanner, Terje Aksel (2026). Empowerment of District Managers with Data: An Institutional Logics Analysis of Education Management Information System Decentralization in Uganda. Universitetet i Oslo. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag
Within decentralized education systems, district education managers serve as critical intermediaries that translate national education policies into implementation realities at the lower levels. Despite being responsible for planning, monitoring, and supporting service delivery, they face challenges responding to diverse local needs due to limited decision-making authority, constrained resources, and insufficient access to timely data for decision-making. This thesis examines how the decentralization of Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) relates to the empowerment of district managers within Uganda’s education sector. While EMIS reforms are often framed as technical interventions aimed at improving data quality and efficiency, this study positions EMIS decentralization as a sociotechnical and institutional process embedded within a complex governance environment with non-linear empowerment outcomes. The study uses an institutional logics perspective to explore how multiple, sometimes competing, logics such as development project impact, political influence, and professionalism interact to influence the empowerment of district managers with data for decision-making at the sub-national level. Based on an action research project, the research investigates how these multiple logics shape EMIS decentralization and how district actors negotiate these logics as they adopt new data practices, assume greater responsibility for data management, and seek autonomy in decision-making. Using an interpretive qualitative research design—including interviews, observations, and document analysis—the study examines how EMIS decentralization can either enable or constrain empowerment, depending on the alignment or tensions between institutional logics. The findings show that while digital tools can expand access to information and strengthen local agency, empowerment emerges with alignment between institutional logics, organizational structures and routines, and the distribution of decision-making authority. The thesis contributes to the literature by offering an empirically grounded account of how institutional logics mediate the empowerment potential of digital information systems in public sector governance. By highlighting the conditions under which EMIS decentralization can strengthen local decision-making, the study provides theoretical insights and practical implications for policymakers and development partners seeking to design digital initiatives for strengthening decentralized governance of education systems.
Matavire, Rangarirai & Braa, Kristin (2016). Producing the Agora: Appropriation of Health Information Systems in Developing Countries. Universitetet i Oslo. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag
With the proliferation of generic software solutions in the healthcare sectors of many developing nations, it is important to understand the processes through which such technologies are appropriated in order that they may meet their system strengthening goals. Generic software is a class of information system that can be used in diverse settings and is developed in such a way that it is customisable to meet local needs. Given that generic software projects in the healthcare sectors of developing nations are largely dependent on the inflow of donor resources, there is a concern that once these dry up the systems will fail. It becomes important to develop theoretical ideas that provide an account of this phenomenon and strategies through which such a problem can be confronted and the technology successfully and sustainably appropriated. The aim of the study was to develop a relevant and fitting theoretical account on the appropriation of the generic District Health Information Software (DHIS 2) in the context of health ministries in Malawi and Zimbabwe. The theoretical questions that led the inquiry were (i) ‘How can we understand and explain the processes implicated in the appropriation of generic open source health information systems in developing nations?’ and (ii) ‘How can the transformations sought when adopting these technologies be better realised?’. The study adopted a mixed method research approach, largely deriving influences from Grounded Theory methodology and the Case Study method. Data was collected through interviews, observation, emails, official documents and by participating as intermediary or consultant in the change initiatives. While some interviews were recorded, the predominant method of collecting data was the taking of field notes. Data was initially open coded for concepts, but the analysis soon evolved toward iterative engagement with emergent theoretical categories that could fit the phenomenon being studied. Given the degree of spatial and temporal changes that generic information systems imply, their adoption can be considered as akin to a paradigm shift for ministries of health in developing nations. The global distribution of actors that are essential to appropriating these technologies creates a challenge for the adopting agencies. This is more so in the politicised context of health ministries where there is a need to contend with multiple perspectives and interests. This study develops a theoretical framework that may be useful in shaping the appropriation of generic health information systems in these contexts. The framework is based on contemporary information systems research which has problematised the spaces which emerge with the adoption of generic software systems. Using these conceptions, we find that the adoption of DHIS 2 signals the emergence of a space similar to an agora. The agora was a central meeting place in ancient Athens and such a conception of information systems has prior to this study been applied to understand the development and use of generic software systems. To complement this perspective, this study borrows conceptions from Henri Lefebvre’s theory on the ‘production of space’ which strengthen the argument for the study of social space and its transformation. The core contribution of the study is the socio-spatial conceptual framework, termed ‘Producing the Agora’, which is useful for explaining the process of appropriation of generic health information systems in developing countries. Its application to the study shows how new technologies can serve to reinforce the status quo rather than mediate espoused technoorganisational transformations. It surfaces the dialectical interaction between the domination and appropriation of the agora as a mechanism through which the space attains shape. It demonstrates how Henri Lefebvre’s theory on space can reveal the content of the emergent techno-organisational interactions and struggles. It also demonstrates how socio-spatial conceptualisations of technology adoption can enrich the health information systems domain. When sensitised by these ideas, it is envisaged that health ministries will be able to take a more decisive leadership role in order to attain to the goals of adopting these new technologies. The conception particularly revealed how the space of server hosting for the web based application was a central arena where struggles of appropriation ensued, powerful influences dominated and stronger leadership was in want.

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Publisert 10. mars 2011 09:41 - Sist endret 13. sep. 2024 09:49

Kristin Braa

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