Christoph Heitz

Christoph Heitz is a Professor at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), leading the Research Group Smart Services and Maintenance and serving on the Board of the Institute of Data Analysis and Process Design. His roles include core team member of ZHAW Digital for innovation in digitization and Co-Founder/President of the European Association for Algorithmic Fairness. He holds a PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of Freiburg (1996) and a Diploma in Physics (1992).

Research focuses on Algorithmic Fairness, Ethics of AI, Data-driven decision making, and Service Innovation. Key projects include AI-BRIDGE (responsible AI development) and studies on fairness in machine learning systems. He teaches Algorithmic Fairness, Ethics of Algorithms, and Service Operations Management.

Publications span peer-reviewed journals (e.g., AI & Society, Journal of Creating Value) and conference proceedings on topics like predictive modeling for bike-sharing systems and fairness metrics in ML. Active in networks like the data innovation alliance and ISSIP.

Labs/teams include the Smart Services and Maintenance group and collaborations on ethical AI frameworks. Projects emphasize practical applications of data science in asset management, free-floating mobility systems, and industrial services.