E³UDRES² Voices: Oskars Java

July 2024 | #researcher

Oskars Java, an expert in simulation modeling, leverages technology to address complex social challenges and promote interdisciplinary solutions. His research focuses on sustainability and digital agriculture, and he has extensive experience leading both national and international projects. As Director of the Socio-technical Systems Engineering Institute at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA), Oskars drives collaborative research and innovation. He plays a pivotal role in the E³UDRES² initiative, fostering international research partnerships and shaping the future of higher education.

In our interview, Oskars shares how E³UDRES² has influenced his career, the experiences that shaped his journey, and his vision for the future.

"The Research Living Labs where researchers from all E³UDRES² universities gathered to work with stakeholders to define research topics have given so much."

Could you give us a brief overview of your research focus and expertise?

My speciality is simulation modelling, which practically can be described as a technology application in tackling social challenges that at the same time, contribute to interdisciplinarity. My research interests include sustainability and digital agriculture. I have gained practical research experience by conducting research, leading work packages, and coordinating several national and international level research projects.

How did you first get involved with E³UDRES²?

As Head of Research Projects at ViA (the right hand of Vice-Rector of Science), I was involved in E³UDRES² 1.0 in 2021 implementing the Task Force on 'Research and Knowledge Serving Users' on behalf of ViA. My main role at this Task Force was to involve other ViA's researchers in the Bank of Researchers. As a new researcher (back then, I was a PhD student) I was involved in the Human Contribution to Artificial Intelligence group of researchers, where we prepared and submitted a couple of Horizon Europe project proposals.

How has your career benefited since becoming a part of the E³UDRES² community?

Since I was leading the implementation of this Task Force at ViA, and was a part of an International group of Researchers, I learned valuable skills and, after receiving a PhD degree, was able to apply for and was selected as a director of ViA's Socio-technical Systems Engineering Institute.

Oskars Java gives an interview about his involvement in E³UDRES²

Is there a valuable experience you had in E³UDRES² that you would like to share with us?

It is very hard to name only one example as a valuable E³UDRES² experience, since all E³UDRES² in-person meetings have given so much, especially the Research Living Labs where researchers from all E³UDRES² universities gathered to work with stakeholders to define research topics. Anyway, to get to know researchers helps to form a team to deal with one particular issue, and it is very hard to accomplish this during online meetings. Even though I am involved in several E³UDRES² 2.0 Research Centres of Excellence, the E³UDRES² 1.0 group of researchers I was part of still meets to work on joint research proposals.

What are your hopes for the future with E³UDRES² as a researcher?

I hope that in the future E³UDRES² will build larger and even stronger groups of researchers to get the capacity needed to help our regions innovate and blossom.

To learn more about the members of our research community, explore the E³UDRES² Bank of Researchers.

Interview by: USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten

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