LERU fosters research on Social Sciences and Humanities and highlights two UB studies
At its 27th Rectorsʼ Assembly on 14 and 15 November at the University of Milan, the League of European Research Universities (LERU) presented a new brochure which showcases some excellent examples of high quality interdisciplinary Social Sciences and Humanities research undertaken at the LERU member institutions. The brochure Social Sciences, Humanities and Interdisciplinary Research: A Showcase of Excellent Research Projects from LERU Universities highlights two studies developed by the University of Barcelona.
At its 27th Rectorsʼ Assembly on 14 and 15 November at the University of Milan, the League of European Research Universities (LERU) presented a new brochure which showcases some excellent examples of high quality interdisciplinary Social Sciences and Humanities research undertaken at the LERU member institutions. The brochure Social Sciences, Humanities and Interdisciplinary Research: A Showcase of Excellent Research Projects from LERU Universities highlights two studies developed by the University of Barcelona.
Olga Jubany, researcher in the Department of Cultural Anthropology and the History of America and Africa of the Faculty of Geography and History, coordinates the interdisciplinary project Combating Inequalities through Innovative Social Practices of and for Young People in Cities across Europe (CITISPYCE), developed together with Helen Higson, professor at Aston University. The aim of the project is to examine the current state of social innovation against inequalities faced by young people, particularly those disadvantaged by origin, cultural background, area of living, and educational and economic situation.
Peter Wagner, ICREA professor in the Department of Sociological Theory, Philosophy of Law and Methodology for Social Sciences of the Faculty of Economics and Business, leads the project Trajectories of modernity Comparing non-European and European varieties (TRAMOD). The initiative aims at advancing the comparative analysis of contemporary societies and polities with a particular emphasis on the existing plurality of societal self-understandings and related institutional structures in the current global context.
The new brochure shows the tip of the iceberg of the excellent interdisciplinary Social Sciences and Humanities research that is already happening in the LERU member institutions. “We want to demonstrate that research from our universities is already contributing in many different ways to addressing societal issues”, says Kurt Deketelaere, secretary general of LERU. “However, there is still much work to be done for better supporting interdisciplinary research, not only by the universities themselves, but also by research funders and research publishers”, emphasizes Deketelaere.
International universities stress the importance of Social Sciences and Humanities research
Upon invitation of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and Leiden University, some of the worldʼs leading research university associations gathered in Leiden on 20 and 21 November, to discuss and stress the importance of Social Sciences and Humanities research in a globalized world. At the end of the meeting all networks signed a statement on the characteristics of Social Sciences and Humanities research.
The signatory associations were LERU, the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Association of East Asian Research Universities (AEARU), the Group of Eight Australia, the RU11 (Japan), the Russell Group (UK), and the U15 (Canada).
The signatories committed themselves to ensure that Social Sciences and Humanities disciplines continue to receive effective support within their institutions; to highlight the contributions of these disciplines to national and global wellbeing; to ensure that Social Sciences and Humanities research and education programs flow without unnecessary constraint to the wider community; to promote strong funding and support for Social Sciences and Humanities research; and to advance global research collaborations, including interdisciplinary approaches.