The Trust Building System (TBS) is a groundbreaking service designed to redefine how researchers in Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) connect and collaborate. Initially developed as a research and development (R&D) project, the TBS was integrated into the GoTriple platform to address the pressing need for fostering reliable partnerships both within and beyond the SSH community. While the TBS is no longer an active component of the GoTriple platform due to a lack of funding for its maintenance, its development highlights innovative approaches to trust-centric networking.
What Is the Trust Building System?
The TBS is a referral-based social network tailored to the unique needs of SSH researchers. Unlike traditional networking platforms, it focuses on cultivating trusted relationships within private, human-sized networks. This approach leverages principles of reciprocal support, trusted intermediaries, and shared accountability to foster collaboration in multistakeholder environments where horizontal cooperation is essential.
Key use cases include:
Identifying the right coordinators for Horizon Europe consortia.
Connecting with experts such as PhD students, policy makers, or end-users.
Building synergies for research projects requiring diverse stakeholder participation.
By embedding trust as the foundation of its user experience, the TBS moves beyond the pitfalls of conventional social platforms that prioritize exposure over meaning. Instead, it offers a safe and effective space for researchers to connect, collaborate, and create.
Why Trust Matters in SSH Research
The main objective of GoTriple is to dramatically enhance the impact of SSH research by improving its visibility and accessibility. The TBS played a pivotal role in this mission by serving as a referral network that helps researchers build and maintain trust with stakeholders. Trust is the linchpin for successful cooperation, especially in interdisciplinary and multistakeholder contexts where synergies are critical.
The TBS stands out with its unique value propositions:
Trust-Centric Networking: Unlike other social networks, the TBS focuses on fostering credible relationships to drive meaningful collaboration.
Human-Sized Networks: By limiting connections to a manageable size (e.g., up to 150 members), the system ensures quality over quantity in interactions.
Reciprocity and Accountability: Users’ actions influence their perceived credibility, encouraging behaviors that reinforce trust.
From Co-Design to Implementation: A User-Centric Approach
The development of the TBS was guided by an iterative, user-centric approach involving extensive co-design research. Through eight workshops and a comprehensive survey of consortium members, the design team gathered valuable insights to shape the system’s features and user experience.
Workshops: These sessions explored the guiding principles and user expectations, leading to iterative improvements in mock-ups and user interfaces.
Survey Feedback: A broad survey provided insights into user needs, preferred functionalities, and outreach strategies, enriching the development process.
The recommendations derived from these activities informed every aspect of the TBS, from the inviting and posting processes to the design of user profiles and newsfeeds.
Overcoming Challenges with Innovative Solutions
The integration of the TBS into the GoTriple platform presented unique technical and operational challenges. The development team tackled these hurdles by:
Implementing robust APIs to ensure seamless connectivity.
Adopting a trust architecture developed by Meoh ASBL, emphasizing end-to-end trust.
Designing intuitive front-end interfaces to enhance usability.
These efforts culminated in a cohesive system that aligned with the overarching goals of the GoTriple project, offering SSH researchers a powerful tool for networking and collaboration.
Looking Ahead: Lessons and Legacy
Although the TBS is no longer an active component of the GoTriple platform due to funding constraints, its development serves as a valuable blueprint for future trust-centric systems. By demonstrating the potential of trust-based networking, the TBS contributes to the broader goal of elevating SSH research in today’s interconnected world.
The Trust Building System represents a paradigm shift in how researchers connect and collaborate. By anchoring its approach in trust, it not only enhanced the GoTriple platform during its active period but also left a legacy of innovative thinking for future digital cooperation initiatives. Whether you’re a researcher seeking reliable collaborators or a stakeholder aiming to engage with SSH projects, the TBS serves as an inspiration for building trust and achieving impactful partnerships.