Jens-Erik is interested in basic questions about the nature of information phenomena; he has explored these from a variety of conceptual points (e.g. semiotics, cognitive work analysis, late-modernity, philosophy of language, trust) often with a focus on issues and questions in the organization of information.

He has contributed conceptual constructions as well as methodological and programmatic papers that have helped forward thinking about the organization of information. His publications into the nature of classification have been recognized by Emerald's "Outstanding Paper Award" for "The Modernity of Classification" published in Journal of Documentation and ISKO's "Best Paper in KO Award" for "Ethics, Values and Morality in Contemporary Library Classifications" published in Knowledge Organization.

Recent talks and publications have focused on the nature of information quality, the conceptual configuration of information science, and the notion of information.

He teaches courses on classification, design of controlled vocabularies, information ethics, knowledge media, and the theoretical foundation of information studies.

Jens-Erik currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T), as the Series Editor for Emerald's Library and Information Science book series, and as a member of the editorial boards for Knowledge Organization and Aslib Proceedings. He was the general Conference Chair for iConference 2012 held in Toronto and the general Conference Chair for 77th ASIS&T Annual Meeting held in Seatlle in Nov. 2014.

Jens-Erik was previously associate professor at the Faculty of Information, University of Toronto, where he also served as Vice Dean and Acting Dean. Prior to that he was a faculty member at the Information School of the University of Washington where he also co-directed the Center for Human-Information Interaction.

He earned his Ph.D. in Library and Information Science from the University of Texas at Austin as a Fulbright Scholar and his Master and Bachelor degrees from the Royal School of Library and Information Science, Denmark.