The research develops within the framework of the evolution of human rights, particularly in the processes of implementation of economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR or social rights).
The research lines converge in two dimensions, the effectiveness and enforceability of these rights. In terms of effectiveness, the objectives of the research focus on determining the rights’ contents, the obligations they generate, the entitlement of rights, and the criteria for their interpretation and application. The enforceability dimension includes obligations related to compliance by duty-bearers and rights-holders, multilevel institutional mechanisms for the enforcement of normative, judicial and quasi-judicial rights, as well as access to justice. The approach to the principle of equality and non-discrimination and the gender perspective must be considered transversally to the dimensions of the effectiveness and enforceability of ESCR.
In the information society, applied knowledge, derived from empirical research, is an instrument of social development. Moreover, communication occupies a central position in terms of the structure and functioning of society, with the new information and communication technologies being understood not only as a tool of primary necessity, but also as a way of appreciating and perceiving the globalised world, as well as being one of the best tools for socio-cultural intervention. Many of the new industries and institutions (public or private) must have specialists in this field, both as researchers and as well-qualified professionals to face some of the current challenges in the fields of culture, communication, society and politics, from creation to management.
The aim of InterCom is to deepen knowledge in these areas, fundamentally in the territories of audiovisual discourse (cinema, television, popular culture, comics, internet, photography, etc.).
The Public Economic Evaluation research group (EVALPUB) was created to develop rigorous and useful research for managers and users of public policies. Our evaluation is carried out in the field of public economics, which takes into account both the expenditure and revenue sides of public administrations.
On the revenue side, we work on both theoretical analysis and the design and evaluation of tax reforms. We are also concerned with the distribution of resources between different levels of government, carrying out work on Regional Economics and Fiscal Federalism.
On the expenditure side, we are interested in the main policies that fall within the Welfare State: Education and Culture, Social Services, Health and Equality, as well as Environmental Policy. We pay special attention to the joint analysis of both facets of public activity through Tax and Benefit Microsimulation models. We also use different evaluation techniques (experimental and quasi-experimental) in order to analyse the impact of different public policies.
The UIRFIDE research group has been working since 1995 in the 3 main classic lines that make up the world of physical and sporting performance. Sport and Physical Activity Management, where research is carried out and specific interventions are proposed on problems such as those related to the quality of sports services or event management (from small local events to large international events).
Sports Performance, where again research is carried out and interventions are proposed related to the needs of athletes with a view to improving their performance, whatever their starting level and their stage of development.
And finally, on the world of Physical Activity and Health, focusing especially on those populations with greater adaptation needs in physical and sporting practice, such as older adults or people with disabilities.
