The model
E-CARGO
Environments, Classes, Agents, Roles, Groups, and Objects. The model provides the foundation for representing collaborative systems.
Collaborative Intelligence
Haibin ZhuPhD
IEEE Fellow
Professor of Computer Science
Nipissing University
Making collaboration easier, more effective, and more efficient through computational methods.
- Distinction
- IEEE Fellow
- Discipline
- Computer Science
- Institution
- Nipissing University
Research focus
A computational language for collaboration.
Dr. Zhu's research goal is to make collaboration easier, more effective, and more efficient through computational methods.
The methodology
Role-Based Collaboration
An emerging computational and discovery methodology that uses roles as the primary mechanism for facilitating collaboration activities.
Explore the framework- Adaptive collaboration
- Group performance optimization
- Software engineering
- Service and cloud computing
- Computer-supported cooperative work
- Human-computer interaction
Recognition
IEEE Fellow, class of 2025
Elevated for contributions to collaboration theory, models, and systems.
2025 · CSCWD Best Paper Award
2022 · CSCWD Best Paper Award for International Collaboration
2018 · IEEE SMC Society Meritorious Service Award
Selected reading
Three entry points into E-CARGO and Role-Based Collaboration, selected from the full publication record.
- 2024
E-CARGO/RBC Research Guide: A Road Map for Researchers
IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Magazine, 10(3), 64–75
- 2015
Role-Based Collaboration and E-CARGO: Revisiting the Developments of the Last Decade
IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Magazine, 1(3), 27–35
- 2006
Role-Based Collaboration and its Kernel Mechanisms
IEEE Transactions on SMC, Part C, 36(4), 578–589
Books
Wiley–IEEE Press · 2021
E-CARGO and Role-Based Collaboration: Modeling and Solving Problems in the Complex World
Dr. Zhu's monograph presents E-CARGO and Role-Based Collaboration as tools for modeling and solving problems in complex systems.
A six-book record spanning collaborative systems, programming, and computing foundations.
View all booksAcademic journey
Dr. Zhu joined Nipissing University in 2002 and has been a full professor with tenure since 2010.
PhD, Computer Science · Changsha Institute of Technology · 1997
MS, Computer Science · Changsha Institute of Technology · 1988
- 2010–presentFull Professor with tenure, Nipissing University
- 2019–2021Chair, Department of Computer Science, Nipissing University
- 2006–2010Associate Professor with tenure, Nipissing University
- 2002–2006Assistant Professor, Nipissing University
Teaching & supervision
Current course materials span generative AI, introductory computing, C++ programming, operating systems, object-oriented programming, distributed systems, and software engineering.
COSC 1367Introduction to Problem Solving with Generative AICOSC 1557Introduction to ComputingCOSC 1567C++ ProgrammingCOSC 2667Operating System
Earlier appointments include supervising 21 master's students at NJIT from 1999-2002 and eight master's students at Changsha Institute of Technology from 1994-1999.
Professional service
IEEE SMC Society
Vice President, Systems Science and Engineering, since 2023; Distinguished Lecturer since 2025.
IEEE Systems Council
Society representative since 2024; Distinguished Lecturer since 2026.
Editorial work
Associate editor for IEEE Transactions on Computational Social Systems and IEEE Transactions on SMC: Systems.
Conference leadership
Long-running organizer and chair roles across CSCWD, SMC, ICNSC, and related conferences.