Human-Environment-Technology (HET) Systems Centre
Scope
The Centre is a new academic unit focusing on the interdisciplinary exploration of human, environmental, and technological aspects defining the design, performance and management of complex systems delivering vital societal services such as for example transport, energy, food, water, finances, telecommunications, education, and health.
The problem
Providing efficient, affordable, accessible, and sustainable vital societal services is an increasingly challenging task. The quest to make modern life not only more efficient but also better for everyone is broadly based on technological innovation. However, the rapid adoption and integration of new technologies in every aspect of daily life is creating new and more complex problems with unprecedented consequences for people and the environment. To solve these problems, technology-driven solutions are not enough, and new interdisciplinary frameworks and concepts are urgently needed. Then, how to create efficient new technologies, like AI solutions, that are not only technically robust, but also socially and environmentally responsible and trustworthy?
Our approach
The HET distinctive approach to complex systems and problems goes beyond traditional sociotechnical views that simplify or even ignore the crucial role that human and environmental factors –either natural and human-made– play in understanding and solving todays’ complex problems.
In a HET system, people, environment and technologies are interdependent elements forming intricate “system of systems” that exist in a continuous state of transition. Over time, these systems can develop unpredictable behaviors further challenging our capability to understand how their function, and how to manage them effectively. In the HET system approach no factor is more important than the other: The challenge is to understand how they influence each other and how to apply that knowledge when designing solutions.
The challenges we are looking at
Solutions to complex problems in transport for example, must continuously provide cost-efficient mobility that not only depends on the development of new technologies like electrification and autonomous vehicles –ensuring accessibility, reliability, safety and security– but also requires political support and public acceptance. This might include new business models, financing, and harmonization with environmental conditions and regulations (e.g., weather, energy, public health, and urban infrastructure and planning). Once implemented, the solutions –whether successful or not– will create new conditions, behaviors and problems not only in transport but also in other sectors. Reciprocally, developments in other sectors will influence the viability and performance of solutions for transport.
Our mission
Forming and consolidating an active and influential, international and cross-disciplinary community of practice sharing the HET systems approach to complex contemporary problems. Embracing complexity rather that simplifying it, focusing on the convergence of existent knowledge, principles and methods to design and manage the systems supporting the functioning of our societies.
Competences and interests
Under the umbrella theme of digital transformation, the Centre is constantly broadening its competences to provide world-class research, consultancy, education and training in areas including:
- Cybersecurity and resilience of critical infrastructure: Antagonistic threats; environment as threat target, amplifier, and polycrisis factor; cyber and hybrid threats; and system’s resilience.
- Emerging Technological systems and paradigms: AI and ML; IoT; Industry X.0; HCI; Digital Twins, smart cities, autonomous systems, and cyber-physical systems.
- Circular systems: Dematerialization of production and consumption systems through digitalization; and circular design and circular economy.
Join us
We welcome you to join us in this interesting and challenging quest as a member or partner. Please contact us for more information on employment, collaborations, or services.