Meet Anne-Christine – a researcher in digital transformation and organisational communication

Short introduction: Who are you, and what is your professional background?
My name is Anne-Christine, and I hold an MSc (cand.mag.) in International Business Communication (Danish and German) from the University of Southern Denmark, completed in 2015. I subsequently worked as a full-time lecturer for three years, primarily within management communication and organisational theory and culture, before moving to Aarhus BSS (Department of Management) to pursue a PhD on top management of digital transformation, with a focus on legitimisation, culture and leadership. Methodologically, I work qualitatively (preferably ethnographically and longitudinally) with organisations. At other times, I work conceptually.

What is your area of work?
I am particularly interested in complexity and emergence in organisations – often in the context of digital transformation. Theoretically, I frequently draw inspiration from the tradition within practice theory known as the Communicative Constitution of Organizing (CCO). Analytically, I am especially fond of linguistic and multimodal analyses, and I am currently working on (1) how ‘aspirational talk’ (particularly concerning digital innovation) can give rise to backlash in organisations undergoing technological change, and (2) how ‘emotive truth’ and visual communication (e.g. on internal digital platforms) are co-constitutive of organising.

Why did you choose to work at BTECH?
The department and my interests are a perfect match. This applies both to the department's specific research areas, several of its study programmes, and not least its strong local engagement (collaboration and knowledge sharing) with small and large companies and institutions. I am very pleased to have been appointed here, and I am very much looking forward to getting to know my new colleagues at the department.

Would you like to tell us a little about yourself, your family and your hobbies?
I am married to Morten, and we live in Odense with our three children who still live at home. I am the mother of Olivia, aged two, stepmother to Vilmer, aged fifteen, who is in year 9 in lower secondary school and is looking forward to attending a music boarding school on Langeland after the summer holidays, and to Bertram, aged eighteen, who attends upper secondary school on a music track – and I am also ‘dad’s wife' to Mathilde, aged twenty-six, who is studying biology in Aarhus.

In my spare time, I enjoy going to concerts – increasingly preferring small venues with relatively intimate performances. In everyday life with a two-year-old, this may also be “Tiny Desk” concerts on YouTube from the sofa with Morten (highly recommended!). I read everything I can get my hands on, preferably about European history, politics, and culture or – as at present – short story collections. Throughout spring and summer, my favourite leisure activity is sitting on the terrace with a good cup of coffee and my feet up. On my journeys to and from work, I enjoy listening to various podcasts.

In addition, I draw (not very well) with our daughter, watch and read Peppa Pig on repeat, build with LEGO on a daily basis, play with all kinds of instruments (currently mostly bongos and harmonica) and splash in puddles at every given opportunity – also with Olivia. The older brothers combined play in six bands, so they also guarantee plenty of entertainment.