Associate Professor Eila Erfani

Program Director for the Computer and Data Science Discipline.

Eila Erfani 

Areas of expertise: Responsible application of emerging technologies (e.g. AI) for value creation across domains such as healthcare; ethical digital innovation; cybersecurity; and technology-driven solutions for social impact.

Phone: +612 9465 9788

Email: eila.erfani@acu.edu.au

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5232-9295

ORCID link: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5232-9295

HDR Status: Full

Associate Professor Eila Erfani is the Program Director for the Computer and Data Science discipline at Australian Catholic University (ACU). She leads with a strong commitment to responsible innovation, high-impact research for social good, and future-focused teaching. Her work focuses on the ethical application of emerging technologiesto address societal challenges and create meaningful human impact. Eila champions a user-centric approach to education that fosters both technical excellence and socially conscious, ethically grounded thinking.

Select publications

Journal Articles

  • Kianrad, A., Arani, M. N., Hasani, K., Zargar, M., Erfani, E., & Razmjou, A. (2024). Investigating the impact of company announcements on stock prices: A machine learning approach to the Australian lithium market. Mineral Economics, 1&ndash10. (ABDC-C)
  • Jalalifar, S., Belford, A., Erfani, E., Razmjou, A., Abbassi, R., Mohseni-Dargah, M., & Asadnia, M. (2024). Enhancing water safety: Exploring recent technological advancements in drowning detection. Sensors, 24. https://doi.org/10.3390/s24020331 (SJR-Q1, Impact Factor: 4.1)
  • Bakhshayeshi, I., Erfani, E., Taghikhah, F. R., Elbourn, S., Beheshti, A., & Asadnia, M. (2023). An intelligent cattle re-identification system for transport using Siamese Neural Networks and YOLO. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 11, 2351&ndash2363. https://doi.org/10.1109/JIOT.2023.3294944 (SJR-Q1, Impact Factor: 10.6)
  • Alqahtani, A., Hawryszkiewycz, I., & Erfani, E. (2023). Examining the relationship between knowledge creation and open innovation through public innovation platforms. Electronic Journal of Knowledge Management, 21, 73&ndash86. https://doi.org/10.34190/ejkm.21.1.3086 (ABDC-C)
  • Mokarian, P., Bakhshayeshi, I., Taghikhah, F., Boroumand, Y., Erfani, E., & Razmjou, A. (2022). Advancing bioleaching processes for metal recovery: A machine learning approach. Separation and Purification Technology, 291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2022.120919 (SJR-Q1, Impact Factor: 9.1)
  • Cetindamar, D., Shdifat, B., & Erfani, E. (2022). Understanding big data analytics capabilities and their role in sustainable supply chains. Information Systems Management, 39, 19&ndash33. https://doi.org/10.1080/10580530.2021.1900464 (ABDC-B)
  • Chai, M., Moradi, S., Erfani, E., Asadnia, M., Chen, V., & Razmjou, A. (2021). Applying machine learning algorithms to estimate enzyme loading, immobilization yield, activity retention, and reusability of enzyme-metal-organic framework biocatalysts. Chemistry of Materials, 33.
  • Abedin, B., & Erfani, E., Milne, D. (2020). Attraction, selection, and attrition in online health communities: Initial conversations and their association with user activity. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2020.104216 (ABDC-A)
  • Erfani, S. S., & Abedin, B. (2018). The impact of social network site usage on psychological well-being: A systematic review. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 69, 900&ndash912. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.24015 (ABDC-A*)
  • Erfani, S. S., Abedin, B., & Blount, Y. (2017). Social network site use and its impact on the psychological well-being of cancer patients. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 68, 1308&ndash1322. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.23702 (ABDC-A*)
  • Blount, Y., Abedin, B., Vatanasakdakul, S., & Erfani, S. (2016). Integrating enterprise resource planning (SAP) in the accounting curriculum: A systematic literature review and case study. Accounting Education, 25, 185&ndash202. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2016.1138136 (ABDC-A)
  • Erfani, S. S., Blount, Y., & Abedin, B. (2016). The influence of health-focused social network sites on the psychological well-being of cancer-affected individuals. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 23, 467&ndash476. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocv170 (ABDC-A)
  • Erfani, S. S., & Abedin, B. (2014). The impact of web-based cancer support resources on cancer-affected individuals: A systematic literature review. The International Technology Management Review, 4(4), 201&ndash211.

Conference Presentations and Contributions

  • Kianrad, A., Hasani, K., Erfani, E., Razmjou Chaharmahali, A., & Gandomi, A. H. (2024). Twitter sentiment analysis and its impact on stock prices in the Australian lithium market: A support vector machine approach. International Conference on Soft Computing & Machine Intelligence.
  • Alqahtani, M., & Erfani, E. (2021). The impact of technical controls, accountability, and monitoring on employee performance: Assessing the mediating role of stress. Australasian Conference on Information Systems (ACIS 2021).
  • Erfani, E., Samy Helmy Hanna, A., & Boroon, L. (2021). Social network site usage and psychological distress: A systematic review. Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS 2021).
  • Erfani, E., Abedin, B., Luckett, T., Lawrence, C., & Hanna, A. S. H. (2020). Developing a culturally and language-appropriate smartphone-based intervention to enhance the well-being of Indigenous Australian cancer patients. European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS 2020).
  • Alqahtani, A., Hawryszkiewycz, I., & Erfani, E. (2020). Analyzing public contributions in open innovation platforms. European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS 2020).
  • Erfani, E., & Samy Helmy Hanna, A. (2020). Wellness management for seniors: The role of mobile health (mHealth) solutions. Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS 2020).
  • Cetindamar, D., Shdifat, B., & Erfani, S. (2020). Assessing big data analytics capability for sustainability in supply chains. 53rd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS 2020).
  • Boroon, L., Abedin, B., & Erfani, S. (2019). The impact of social network addiction: An information technology identity perspective. Australasian Conference on Information Systems (ACIS 2019).
  • Shdifat, B., Cetindamar, D., & Erfani, S. (2019). A literature review on big data analytics capabilities. Conference on Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET).
  • Erfani, S. S., Erfani, S. M., & Ramin, K. (2019). Developing a smartphone health application to facilitate fall prevention among older adults. European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS 2019).
  • Erfani, S., & Ramin, K. (2018). Designing and testing a smartphone-based mental health application for older adults. Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS 2018).
  • Boroon, L., Abedin, B., & Erfani, S. (2018). The dark side of online social networks: A systematic research agenda. Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems (PACIS 2018
  • Erfani, S. S., Abedin, B., & Daneshgar, F. (2013). Investigating the impact of Facebook use on cancer patients' wellbeing-being. Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS 2013).
  • Erfani, S. S., Abedin, B., & Daneshgar, F. (2013). A qualitative evaluation of communication in ovarian cancer Facebook communities. International Conference on Information Society (i-Society 2013).

Book chapters

  • Taghikhah, F., Erfani, E., Bakhshayeshi, I., Tayari, S., Karatopouzis, A., & Hanna, B. (2022). Artificial intelligence and sustainability solutions to social and environmental challenges. In Artificial Intelligence and Data Science in Environmental Sensing (pp. 93-108). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-323-90508-4.00006-x
  • Shdifat, B., Cetindamar, D., & Erfani, S. (2021). Achieving the triple bottom line through big data analytics.

HDR Supervision and Research Mentoring

Supervised and co-supervised a diverse range of Higher Degree Research (HDR) candidates across leading Australian universities, contributing to scholarly advancement in cybersecurity, ethical AI, public sector innovation, digital transformation, and behavioural data science. These projects reflect a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research, applied impact, and academic capacity building:

  • Dr. Mohammed Alqahtani (Completed)
    Developed a cybersecurity compliance framework for e-government, emphasising digital ethics and secure public sector infrastructures.
  • Dr. Areej Alqahtani (Completed)
    Investigated open innovation in the public sector, highlighting how ethical design thinking can foster more inclusive and responsible government services.
  • Mr Ahmad Kianrad (Ongoing)
    Exploring the application of AI and machine learning for sentiment analysis to assess the influence of social media on organisational strategy and innovation.
  • Ms.Shesha Maheshwari (Ongoing)
    Examining the behavioural and psychological factors contributing to user susceptibility to smishing attacks, with implications for improving cybersecurity awareness and policy.
  • Dr. Bara&rsquoah Shdifat (Completed)
    Analysed the impact of big data and context-aware information systems in enhancing sustainable supply chain performance, with a focus on healthcare.
  • Mr. Ivan Bakhshayeshi (Completed)
    Designed AI-driven systems for livestock transport, illustrating AI's potential in addressing agricultural and societal challenges.

Projects

Contribution to Research Funded Projects

  • The Digital Health Program (2024-2025)-Developing a smart AI-based tool for an innovative digital insulin transdermal delivery system for Type 2 diabetes management. $90,917
  • UNSW (2023-2024)-Applying cutting-edge technologies for advancing education and improving students' learning experience and well-being. $9,000
  • MRFF Consumer-Led Research Grant (2023-2025)- Co-design with consumers, carers, and other stakeholders a self-management plan for breathlessness crises from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. $397,111
  • Smile Like Drake Foundation (2021-2022)- Enhancing Water Safety: Exploring Recent Technological Approaches for Drowning Detection. $350,000
  • ITIC Systems (2021) -Developing and utilizing AI and sensory systems to enhance livestock transportation. $28,000
  • SANE Australia (2019-2020)- Applying machine learning algorithms for categorizing and prioritizing content in the SANE Australia peer support forums. $57,679
  • The Cancer Council NSW (2019)- Harnessing the power of data analytics for developing a novel coding scheme for content and thematic analysis of Cancer Council Online Community. $22,727 Supporting Dr. Xiaohua Ou (UTS, 2019) Design thinking in information systems design, developing links with the University of Posts and Telegraphs (UPT) in China and securing further funding. $45,000
  • UTS (2018) -A culturally and language-appropriate smartphone health application for improving the psychological well-being of Indigenous Australian people with cancer. $17,000
  • UTS (2017) -A framework for a culturally appropriate web-based intervention to facilitate supportive cancer care for Indigenous Australians with cancer. $4,500
  • The Frank Whiddon Masonic Homes of New South Wales (2016)-Harnessing the power of social platforms for caring for older people: A social media strategy plan for the Whiddon Group. $10,000
  • UTS (2016)-Exploring the implications of web-based support interventions for cancer-affected $8,000
  • UTS (2018) Easier marking of complex designs/tasks/assignments. $5,000

Awards

  • Teaching and learning Award UTS

Appointments and Affiliations

Professional Memberships

  • Association for Information Systems (AIS)
  • Australian Computer Society (ACS)
  • Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI)

Editorial roles

Editorial Roles and Peer Review

  • Peer-Review for Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics-2024
  • Peer-Review IEEE Access-2024
  • Co-chair in Australasian Conference on Information Systems (ACIS)-2022-2025
  • Pannel Member International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS)-2022-2023

Public engagement

  • Promoted the societal value of responsible emerging technologies through media engagement, including interviews and commentary on 2SER, 2CC, and 2SM Radio.2023-2024
  • Featured on 10 News to discuss key topics in cybersecurity and responsible innovation.2025
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