EQUISYS

Human-Centered System Design for Equitable and Sustainable Digital Societies

EQUISYS is a scientific research project focused on the design of human-centered digital systems that promote equity and sustainability in digital societies.

Project at a Glance

• Project type: Scientific Research Project
• Implementation period: 1 October 2025 - 30 September 2029
• Project leader: Tihana Galinac Grbac, PhD, Full Professor
• Project holder: Juraj Dobrila University of Pula
• Total budget: EUR 67,119.30

About the Project

The project aims 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.

EQUISYS integrates perspectives from computer science and informatics, management and entrepreneurship, mathematics and geology, as well as education, sociology and ethics. This interdisciplinary approach seeks to balance technological efficiency, business benefits and human values.

The project brings together researchers and develops new inter-institutional collaborations. Its methodology includes participatory design with users, the development and evaluation of human-in-the-loop solutions, and the application of the FATE framework - fairness, accountability, transparency and ethics - throughout the development process.

Project Objectives

O1. Horizontal Framework

Technical innovation of human-centered systems.

O2. Vertical Framework

Social relevance in industry, healthcare, municipal infrastructure and education.

O3. Reproductive Framework

Innovation of just and sustainable digital systems.

O4. Educational Framework

Education of engineers for the needs of a digital society.

Case Study Domains

The project will test and validate its models in real environments through case studies involving:

• manufacturing industries, including steel production
• digitization of public services, including water supply
• healthcare
• higher education

Expected Contributions

The expected contributions of EQUISYS include:

• formalized case studies for future innovation projects
• methodological guidelines for the responsible development of digital systems
• increased digital inclusion of vulnerable groups
• strengthened citizens’ trust in digital technologies
• publicly available research results
• contributions to future policies and standards in the digital transformation of society

Project-Related Activities

Activities connected with the project’s research, dissemination and academic environment include:

• research publications and presentations at SQAMIA, MIPRO, SOFTCOM and ISSE
• organization of MIPRO SSE activities
• organization of MIPRO and SOFTCOM workshops
• cooperation with industry partners and field-based teaching
• student research, mentoring and international mobility
• invited lectures and academic seminars
• public engagement and science-promotion activities
• development of international and inter-institutional collaborations

Academic and International Collaboration

The broader project-related academic network includes:

• invited lectures and research visits by international collaborators
• project-related visits to the University of Pula
• student mobility to Linz and Budapest
• student research projects and international cooperation
• participation in academic committees, workshops and editorial activities

Publications and Materials

Selected project-related publications, presentations, workshops and recorded materials are available through the site’s publications, talks and workshop pages.

Official Project Information

The official project information is available on the EQUISYS project page of the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula.