The interdisciplinary SEISMEC project, led by Erasmus University Rotterdam in collaboration with a multinational consortium of research, industry and civil society partners, has been awarded 10 million euros by the European Commission within the Horizon Europe Programme. SEISMEC aims to shape a future of work that is both productive and enriching, with a focus on creating sustainable work environments that prioritize employee well-being and fulfilment. This exclusive funding under this call highlights the four-year project's potential to transform workplaces and empower workers in all major European industries.
In this project, EUR researchers Jason Pridmore (ESHCC), Joao Fernando Ferreira Goncalves (ESHCC), Jovana Karanovic (RSM) and Claartje ter Hoeven (ESSB) combine their diverse range of expertise across disciplines to provide valuable insights into empowering workers in today's technological landscape. By drawing on their interdisciplinary knowledge, the university offers essential perspectives on how to effectively empower workers, thereby contributing to the creation of a sustainable future through the redefinition of workplace practices.
Industries in Europe and around the world are going through big technological changes that have affected how we work. People's expectations of work have also changed, especially with digitalisation and after the pandemic. SEISMEC (Supporting European Industry Success Maximisation through Empowerment Centred development) embraces these changes and focuses on empowering workers by combining new technologies with human practices. Jason Pridmore, coordinator of the SEISMEC project: “We are honoured to lead this great consortium of partners that demonstrate a diversity of organisational sizes, geographic locations, and industrial ecosystems. As coordinators, this project will demonstrate the diversity of perspectives and expertise Erasmus University Rotterdam has as an organisation and how we can help lead Europe towards more and more human centric approaches to work and our workplaces.”
Addressing Challenges for a Human-Centric Workplace
SEISMEC takes a unique approach, putting human-centricity at the core of its project. Unlike a purely technical focus, this project emphasizes the importance of considering people's needs and experiences. By conducting multiple pilots across all industrial ecosystems identified within the European Single Market, including a cross-cutting platform-based pilot, SEISMEC wants to develop and demonstrate the concept of human-centricity in diverse industry sectors and contexts. "I'm delighted that we'll examine platforms too,” researcher Jovana Karanovic states. “Freelance marketplaces offer remote work potential but may foster biases. Our pilot aims to identify and address biases, creating an inclusive environment where everyone has an equal chance to succeed."
The project aims to empower skilled workforces with human-centric solutions, address challenges tied to advanced workplace technologies, and foster innovation through evidence-based recommendations, connecting workers, policymakers, and research initiatives. This effort aligns with the idea of integrating social sciences with industry and technology, as highlighted by Joao Fernando Ferreira Goncalves: "This is a great chance to integrate social sciences with industry and technology. We learned from Industry 4.0 that technology must involve people to succeed. Through SEISMEC, we'll use Erasmus University's knowledge to create industries and work that prioritize people. I believe this is just the start of many such initiatives."
“The project’s true strength lies in fostering collaborative innovation between companies and researchers, prioritizing workers' well-being. Embracing AI advancements requires considering their impact on society. This project's purpose is collaboration and co-innovation for the benefit of the workforce and businesses”, dr. Karanovic concludes.
About Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship research and innovation funding program from 2021 to 2027, aims to enhance Europe's competitiveness through scientific advancements and innovation. It fosters collaboration, addresses global challenges, and promotes the dissemination of knowledge and technologies.
The call for “HORIZON-CL4-2023-HUMAN-01-51: Pilots for an innovative human-centric industry (RIA)” focuses on a human-centric approach to industry, prioritizing the changing role of workers.
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