TYPE OF PROJECT:

• Scientific Research Project

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD:

• October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2029

PROJECT LEADER:

• Project Leader: Tihana Galinac Grbac, PhD, full professor

TOTAL BUDGET:

• 67 119.30 Eur

SHORT PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The aim of the EQUISYS project is to formalize case studies and develop innovative models and tools for the design of human-centered digital systems while promoting equity and sustainability in digital societies. The project integrates interdisciplinary approaches from the fields of technical sciences (computer science and informatics), social sciences (management and entrepreneurship), natural sciences (mathematics and geology) and humanities (education, sociology and ethics) to ensure a balance between technological efficiency, business benefits and human values. Furthermore, the project brings together young researchers with the aim of increasing their scientific productivity and establishing new inter-institutional collaborations, which significantly contributes to defining the SJD scientific and research profile. The methodology includes participatory design with users, development and evaluation of “human-in-the-loop” solutions and the application of the FATE framework (fairness, accountability, transparency and ethics) in all phases of development. Through case studies in the field of manufacturing industries such as steel mills, digitization of public services such as water supply and healthcare, and higher education, EQUISYS will test and validate the developed models in real environments. The expected contribution of the project includes formalized study cases for future innovation projects, new methodological guidelines for the responsible development of digital systems, increasing the digital inclusion of vulnerable groups and strengthening citizens' trust in digital technologies. The results of the project will be publicly available and will serve as the basis for future policies and standards in the field of digital transformation of society.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES:

The research objective of the EQUISYS project is to formalize case studies and develop innovative models and tools for the design of human-centered digital systems while promoting equity and sustainability in digital societies. The project integrates the responsible design of human-centered digital systems through four objectives: 

O1. Definition of the horizontal framework: Technical innovation of human-centered systems 

O2. Definition of the vertical framework: Social relevance (industry, health, municipal infrastructure, education) 

O3. Definition of the reproductive framework: Innovation of just and sustainable digital systems 

O4. Definition of the educational framework: Education of engineers for the needs of a digital society

PROJECT HOLDER: Juraj Dobrila University of Pula