Recently, the National Office for Philosophy and Social Sciences announced the list of approved projects under the 2025 National Social Science Fund of China (NSSFC) Major Project for Cultural Heritage Protection and Inheritance Research. South China University of Technology (SCUT) has been approved for the project titled “Research on Technical Risks and Mitigation in the Digital Preservation of Cultural Heritage”, marking a significant breakthrough for SCUT in this field.

The project is led by Professor Tao Jin of the School of Architecture, who serves as Chief Expert. It seeks to integrate both endogenous and exogenous variables of technological risk, establishing a systematic risk cognition framework that unifies “ontology” and “ecology”. By uncovering the underlying mechanisms of risk generation and propagation, the project will develop a full lifecycle risk prevention model. It will further propose solutions aligned with national strategic priorities and industry needs, provide evidence-based support for policymaking, and equip frontline institutions with practical tools and guidelines for risk governance. Ultimately, the project aims to safeguard the long-term security and sustainability of cultural heritage and its digital counterparts, while enhancing the sector’s overall capacity for risk prevention and management.