# Pelle Ehn

> Swedish university teacher

**Wikidata**: [Q18238527](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18238527)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pelle-ehn

## Summary
Pelle Ehn is a Swedish computer scientist and university teacher recognized for his contributions to the field of human-computer interaction (HCI). Born in 1948, he has held significant influence in the areas of informatics, digital media, and the philosophy of technology.

## Biography
*   **Born:** August 10, 1948, in Köping, Sweden
*   **Nationality:** Swedish
*   **Occupations:** Computer scientist, Designer, University teacher
*   **Fields:** Informatics, Digital media, Design, Innovation, Philosophy of technology, Computing and society, Human–computer interaction
*   **Languages:** English, Swedish

## Contributions
Pelle Ehn has established a professional focus at the intersection of technology and human experience, primarily through his work in informatics and human-computer interaction (HCI). As a computer scientist and designer, his professional activities span the industrial and service sectors. His contributions are rooted in the study of computational systems, specifically those designed for data storage and retrieval, advancing the academic discipline of HCI.

Ehn's work integrates technical computing with broader societal and philosophical contexts. He has contributed to the fields of digital media and innovation, applying design principles to technology. His scope of work extends to the philosophy of technology and computing and society, examining how computational systems interact with social structures.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Pelle Ehn's primary profession?
A: Pelle Ehn is a Swedish computer scientist and university teacher. He is also recognized as a designer within the technology sector.

### Q: Where was Pelle Ehn born?
A: Pelle Ehn was born in Köping, Sweden, on August 10, 1948.

### Q: What are the main fields of Pelle Ehn's work?
A: His primary fields include human-computer interaction, informatics, digital media, design, innovation, and the philosophy of technology.

## Why They Matter
Pelle Ehn matters for his multidisciplinary approach to computer science, effectively bridging the gap between technical systems and human-centric design. By integrating the study of informatics with the philosophy of technology and design, he has influenced how digital media and computational systems are understood within the broader contexts of innovation and society. His role as a university teacher has allowed him to shape the academic discipline of human-computer interaction, ensuring that the study of data storage and retrieval systems remains connected to user experience and societal impact.

## Notable For
*   **Human-Computer Interaction (HCI):** recognized contribution to the academic discipline focused on the design and use of computer technology.
*   **Informatics:** involvement in the study of computational systems, particularly regarding data storage and retrieval.
*   **Multidisciplinary Design:** integrating innovation, philosophy of technology, and design into computer science.
*   **Academic Leadership:** serving as a university teacher in Sweden.

## Body
### Background and Early Life
Pelle Ehn was born on August 10, 1948, in the town of Köping, Sweden. He holds Swedish citizenship. His early life in Sweden laid the groundwork for his eventual career in the Scandinavian technology and academic sectors.

### Academic and Professional Career
Ehn is identified as a computer scientist and university teacher. His career is characterized by a strong focus on the "class" of computer science, specifically within the industrial and service sectors. He operates primarily within the domain of informatics—the study of computational systems for data storage and retrieval which emerged as a distinct field in 1957.

His professional identity also encompasses the role of a designer. He is fluent in both English and Swedish, which facilitates his work in the global and national academic communities.

### Research and Fields of Work
Ehn's work is defined by a diverse set of overlapping fields:
*   **Human-Computer Interaction (HCI):** He is directly associated with this academic discipline, which boasts a substantial presence in academic literature (indicated by high sitelink counts in source data).
*   **Philosophy of Technology:** Unlike many pure technologists, Ehn's work explicitly engages with the philosophical questions surrounding technical systems.
*   **Computing and Society:** He examines the intersection where computational systems meet social structures.
*   **Digital Media and Innovation:** His work covers the evolution of digital mediums and the process of innovation within the tech sector.

### Identifiers and Recognition
Ehn's standing in the global academic community is confirmed through numerous authority control identifiers:
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n80034698
*   **VIAF ID:** 102900841
*   **ISNI:** 0000000084587304
*   **Libris URI:** gdsvvt404pwndpj (Swedish National Library)

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [LIBRIS. 2012](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/gdsvvt404pwndpj)
4. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File