Research lines of the Doctoral Programme in Law, Politics and Economics

• Empirical and legal studies of violence involving children and adolescents (victims, aggressors or bystanders).
•  Design and evaluation of prevention, detection or intervention programmes against any form of violence (child sexual abuse, bullying, domestic abuse, cyberbullying, online grooming, etc.).
• Assessment of the enforcement and impact of Organic Law 8/2021, of 4 June, for the comprehensive protection of children and adolescents in the face of violence.
•  Technologies implemented for the detection, assessment and care of victimized children and adolescents to improve their well-being and mental health (virtual reality, artificial intelligence, serious games, apps, etc.).

Empirical and legal study on sexual violence in intimate partner relationships and the response of the criminal justice system.

Study on the problem of stolen children and the forced disappearance of children during Franco's regime and on the possible responses to their reparation needs. To reconstruct the possible situation of victimisation of single mothers and children during the aforementioned period and to seek answers to the reparation needs that this victimisation may have created. This will be done, on the one hand, through an exhaustive documentary study that will allow us to obtain relevant statistical data, and on the other hand, through qualitative interviews with several witnesses of the time and children who have resided in the institution.

The research has to allow to know what are the needs experienced by the persons involved and in a framework of investigation of their origins, what is, for them, the best way to satisfy these needs, which is linked to the options of restorative justice. Likewise, as these victimisations were inflicted in an institutional context, the study has to consider what response could be given at this level to eventual requests for reparation from the victims.

Questions regarding the enforcement of copyright online. Problems of applicable law and jurisdiction. Identifying infringers. ISP liability. 

Questions regarding originality, authorship, related rights. Should AI outputs be protected under Copyright law? And if so, how?

Rules regulating ISP liability and how they may affect the enforcement of free speech online.

The (un)harmonized regime of Exceptions and Limitations in EU acquis. Special reference to the "recent trend" of further harmonization through mandatory E&L.

Legal implications of blockchain and other advanced technologies applied to online dispute resolution.

The transition towards a full digitization to achieve an open, relational, resilient, efficient justice that is committed to the real needs of people, particularly those with some degree of disability or vulnerability, and taking advantage of the full potential of cutting-edge technology within the full respect of fundamental rights.

Mediation and other conflict resolution mechanisms, such as conciliation, arbitration, adjudication and ombuds offices, play a crucial role in areas such as the consumer sector or family law. Although European Union legislation has created a harmonizing regulatory framework that is sufficiently flexible for each country to implement regulations that respect their various legal traditions, there are still regulatory barriers and some suspicion of the types of adjudication that de facto hindering them de facto from takin proper hold in the countries' justice systems.

Analysis of the impact of the digitalization of society on the characteristics, rates and trends of crime across time and space, as well as the validity of predominant criminological theories for explaining new types of crime.

In this context, the digitalization of society has led to either a simple adaptation of existing criminological theories, or a paradigm shift in the explanation of crime.

This line of research studies crimes against cultural heritage and their inclusion in transnational crime (organized crime, terrorism) and international crime (war crimes against cultural heritage); in specific terms, it engages in a criminological analysis of archaeological looting and illicit trafficking of this type of heritage, and other crimes against cultural heritage, including the theft and forgery of works of art.

Victimological and legal study of partner violence from the perspective of the victim and their experience with the criminal justice system. Analysis of the effectiveness of the criminal justice system regarding victimization in close relationships and the possible application of restorative justice processes.

Inheritance law is not a new legal concept. It already existed in Roman law, where it was deemed to cover both family and social aspects. However, the law has had to adapt to the changes in society.  Nowadays, the progress of society and technological innovation have brought with them new legal realities, including digital identity, the perpetual nature of activities on the web, the creation of social media accounts, virtual currencies or, even, virtual artworks (NFTs). Despite the efforts to regulate them, it has not been enough. This thesis, then, looks to study post-mortem protection of all of people's digital data and content, paying special attention to Spanish Organic Law 3/2018, of 5 December 2018, on personal data protection and the guarantee of digital rights.

Analysis of the right of access to justice in the context of climate change. Within this framework, the following research problems may be addressed: Analyze whether the climatic emergency justifies an exceptional approach to access to justice and the possible tension with the rule of law; Critically analyze the relevance of the human rights legal regime in the fight against climate change; Identify obstacles to the realization of access to justice in the strategic litigation at the international, European and national levels.

Analysis of the legal value of the values enshrined in article 2 TEU (especially, respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law) and the jurisprudence of the CJEU in the context of the rule of law backsliding, both internally (regarding EU Member States) and in the EU's external action.

According to Section II of the Preamble to Spain's Organic Law 1/2004 of 28 December, on Comprehensive Protection Measures against Gender Violence, Spanish public authorities cannot remain indifferent to the serious consequences of this type of violence, as it constitutes "one of the most flagrant attacks on the basic rights such as freedom, equality, life, security and non-discrimination defended by our Constitution". Specifically, they are "obliged to deploy positive action measures to make these rights real and effective, removing any obstacles which prevent or impede their full enjoyment". It is in this context that – with the main extra-fiscal purpose of mitigating the negative consequences of victimization, and from a social perspective, ensuring that the equality set out in Article 9 of Spain's Constitution is real and effective – the creation of tax benefits for victims at various levels of taxation has begun. These benefits currently exist at the three levels at which taxation takes place in Spain (state, regional and local), although there are major differences between them, which pose significant legal problems. Therefore, the definition and study of these benefits is proposed in this thesis with a threefold objective: to provide an in-depth view of the current situation, to highlight the main sources of controversy, and to offer proposals for improvement in their necessary reformulation.

A study of the potential uses of artificial intelligence for the extrajudicial resolution of consumer disputes through online dispute resolution platforms, taking into account the regulatory framework established by the European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act.

A study of the challenges that technological transformation poses in the field of civil contracting and, specifically, in the general theory of obligations and the general theory of civil contracts, as well as in the most important civil contracts in trade.

A study of the aspects of extra-contractual civil liability and the specializations within some of the special civil liability regimes currently in force. An analysis of the current European regulatory framework relating to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and compensation for damages.

The aim of this research line is to explore how digitalization shapes criminogenic behaviours and examine mechanisms designed to prevent online victimization, with a focus on risk, protection, and emerging forms of crime.

The thesis could deal with issues related to internet intermediary liability under the DSA and other aspects of platform regulation and intermediaries in the EU and in the US.

The thesis would explore the interplay between artificial intelligence and copyright.

This proposal examines how the ecological transition changes international regulations and the exploitation of natural resources, and its limits in the face of tensions between sustainability and economic and strategic interests.

Analysis of personal income taxation, corporate taxation, inheritance and gift taxation and wealth taxation.

Study of taxation on general consumption (Value Added Tax), special taxes, and Transfer Tax and Stamp Duty.

Analysis of tax residence, international double taxation, double taxation treaties, tax havens, non-resident income taxation and customs taxes.

Study of the regional tax system under the common system, the Autonomous Communities' own taxes, taxes ceded by the State and the local tax system.

Analysis of the general principles of the application of taxes and the common rules on actions and procedures, tax management, tax inspection, tax collection, infringements and penalties, and the review of acts of a tax nature.

Study of tax principles and regulations, public revenue and expenditure, tax obligations and the taxable event, taxpayers, elements of tax quantification and extinction of the tax debt.

Analysis of the right and obligation to electronic relations with the tax administration, electronic offices and registers, protection of personal data in the tax sphere, information and assistance actions via the Internet, social collaboration in tax management, telematic declarations, electronic tax notifications, electronic invoicing, appeals and claims by electronic means, and big data and artificial intelligence in the tax sphere.

Study of the direct taxation of e-commerce, indirect taxation of e-commerce, taxation of electronic payments, taxation of certain digital services, taxation in the digital economy.

Analysis, proposals and improvement of active labour market policies in a market characterised by digitalisation: labour intermediation, incentives for employment and self-employment, vocational training, etc.

Analysis, proposals and improvement of occupational risk prevention and the different contributory and non-contributory Social Security benefits: retirement, birth and childcare, risk during pregnancy and breastfeeding, temporary and permanent incapacity, etc. / Analysis, proposals and improvement of occupational risk prevention and the different contributory and non-contributory Social Security benefits: retirement, birth and childcare, risk during pregnancy and breastfeeding, temporary and permanent incapacity, etc.

Analysis of business flexibility strategies based on digitalisation (platforms, crowdworking, network companies, etc.), which pose a challenge to the labour market.

Analysis of the conscious and sub-conscious behavioural elements that can contribute to explaining human behaviour with the aim of configuring an architecture of socio-labour norms that will improve their effectiveness and the achievement of legal objectives. de los objetivos legales.

Analysis of the phenomena of business plurality (contracts, assignment, subrogation and/or groups of companies) and their impact on labour relations.

Analysis of the impact of automation and algorithms on the individual and collective dimension of labour relations, as well as on the fundamental rights of workers.

Analysis of the descriptors of internal and external flexibility measures and articulation of mechanisms that facilitate their balance with the aim of promoting the continuity of employment relationships.

Analysis of the challenges posed by technological transformation for public employees and/or study of the legal instruments aimed at improving their working conditions and stability. 

Regulation of the European market in the circulation of cultural goods. Mechanisms for combating illicit trafficking in cultural goods, import licences and administrative procedures. European restrictions and mechanisms for the restitution of illicitly trafficked works.

Limitations on the freedom to provide tourist services for health reasons (Covid-19). Limitations on the use of dwellings as tourist rentals and guarantees to the freedom to provide services and free movement of persons (regulation of EU law and implementation of national rules). Implementation of the 2030 Agenda to ensure the development of sustainable tourism.

The elimination of physical barriers made possible by the potential of the technological revolution of recent decades has generated an increasingly globalised world in which it is possible to work or carry out an economic activity from and for anywhere. For this reason, given its important consequences on the taxation power of States and the need to adapt the correct taxation in this respect, the thesis proposed here aims to delimit and study the taxation of remote work (whether self-employed or employed), with the aim of highlighting the main controversial issues that arise and providing necessary proposals for improvement.

The aim is to examine in depth, within aeronautical law, the aspects relating to the legal regime of UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems): national, European and international regulations, the legal status of UAS, the legal status of persons participating in UAS operations, liability for material and non-material damage - related to the right to the protection of personal data and fundamental rights - caused in UAS operations in the open, specific and certified categories, and insurance. The rules and procedures applicable to the use of UAS on the basis of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 of 24 May 2019 and the requirements for the design, manufacturing, maintenance and marketing of UAS, as well as those for third country UAS operators on the basis of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 of 12 March 2019 are worked out.

The study of the general insolvency rules, the insolvency of the estate and the specialities of the insolvency of the debtor with certain subjective or objective characteristics, as well as the alternative crisis law - which is sometimes prior - to the traditional insolvency law are studied in depth. This other law, known as pre-bankruptcy law, includes the notification of the opening of negotiations with creditors, refinancing agreements, out-of-court payment agreements, and the special features of consecutive bankruptcy, either to a refinancing agreement or to an out-of-court payment agreement. The rules of private international law are also studied. All of this is based on the regulations contained in Royal Legislative Decree 1/2020, of 5 May, approving the revised text of the Insolvency Act and, pending its transposition, in Directive (EU) 2019/1023 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 20 June 2019, on frameworks for preventive restructuring, debt waivers and disqualifications, and on measures to improve the efficiency of restructuring, insolvency and debt waiver proceedings, and amending Directive (EU) 2017/1132.

An in-depth study of commercial contracts within the framework of new technologies, which includes: (a) the general theory of obligations and commercial contracts and the analysis of smart contracts, the use of which is made possible by distributed databases (DLT), of which blockchain is a specific typology, (b) the commercial sales contract, special sales contracts and contracts related to such sales contracts, classified as contracts for the exchange of goods, are analysed in the second thematic block; c) collaboration contracts, which include agency and commission contracts, d) distribution contracts, which include franchising, concession and selective distribution, with the competition law issues that need to be taken into account, e) banking, financing, stock market and insurance contracts.

The organisation and functioning of companies, methods of financing, protection of company creditors, conflicts between shareholders, structural modification operations, the liability of directors and proxies and the liability of the company are studied in depth. Groups of companies are also studied.

In-depth study of the rules aimed at regulating the correct functioning of the market, including: a) the regulation of free competition (regulation of prohibited conduct - collusive practices and abuse of dominant position - and of controlled conduct - economic concentrations and public aid), the prohibition of unfair conduct and b) the protection of industrial property, i.e. trademarks and trade names (distinctive signs), patents and utility models (inventions), and industrial designs and semiconductor topographies. It also includes the study of domain names and plant varieties.

This research line focuses on trademark law issues, and particularly aspects of functions of trademarks and trademark infringement on the internet, among other areas. 

The focus of study of this research line is the fiscal impact of all issues related to real estate, taking into account the importance of the real estate market, the increase in the number of people who work from home as freelancers or employees, and its important link with the right to adequate housing recognized in the Spanish Constitution.

In the current context of society's digital transition, many initiatives have emerged as start-ups to exploit previously unexplored market segments. This has led to major social conflicts involving stakeholders from the sectors concerned. The case of the conflict between taxi drivers and private hire vehicles has been one of the most extensively covered in the media, but it is by no means the only one. This research proposal includes studies that are developed at the frontier between new digital technologies, public policies and urban mobility and logistics systems in the transition towards a more sustainable model.

This line of research aims to study the tax implications of technological developments, because tax regulations seldom evolve as quickly or at the same pace as technology (especially in areas such as blockchains, cryptocurrencies, tokens, etc.). This makes it difficult for companies to identify their tax obligations and how to comply with them. The aim is therefore to provide taxpayers with legal certainty with regard to new technologies in the tax sphere.

This line of research seeks to study local tax authorities, in terms of the total income and expenditure of local authorities, from the budgetary, tax and public expenditure perspectives, and taking into account the principles of local autonomy, financial sufficiency and budgetary stability at a local level. The main aim is to study proposals for new local funding on a broader scope and in greater depth.

Analysis of immersive experiences for online shoppers (including the feeling of virtual presence, optimal online flow experiences and mental imagery) and their effects on consumer engagement and brand loyalty.

Analysis of arbitration as an effective mechanism for resolving intellectual property disputes. Examination of some of the main characteristics of intellectual property disputes and the results offered by court litigation and arbitration.

Analysis of the impact of new technologies on arbitration. In particular, this area of study concentrates on exploring blockchain and the implementation of artificial intelligence in arbitration proceedings.

This line of research aims to study the implementation of AI systems in the judicial process, taking into account the current challenge of achieving procedural efficiency in the administration of justice. In particular, it proposes the review of AI models, their regulation and their implementation in the judicial process, while respecting procedural guarantees.

This PhD proposal is aimed at prospective doctoral candidates who would like to research on the interdisciplinary, several and still, unsolved problems on the legislative protection of digital consumers, and its possible solutions.

Current Consumer law, –the European and of the Member states–, it shows nowadays several challenges, namely in the cross-border commerce (the most digital one). These legislative challenges have been lately encouraged by the digital markets, thought the development of the technology and the Artificial Intelligence. Those have changed the market behaviours and of the market operators that interact in the digital markets (consumers and professionals), as in the same way that happened with the disruption of the sharing economy business models.

Most innovative rules on the subject, together with the rules against unfair commercial practices and the EU Competition law are focused, basically in these legislative challenges, especially on the protection of the digital consumers. The Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act and the most recent, AI Directive (this later centered in the extra contractual liability protection) will need of further analysis to understand and give solutions to all the problems and questions raised in the protection of the Digital consumers.

Metaverse and Law. Blockchain and Metaverse. Economic activity in the Metaverse: business models. Privacy, Image, and Data Protection in the Metaverse. Cryptoassets in the Metaverse. Crimes in the Metaverse. Protection of industrial and intellectual property in the Metaverse. Metaverse Management. Decentralized Autonomous Organizations/Corporations (DAOs/DACs). The role of the administration in the Metaverse.

This proposal is for candidates who want to conduct research in the numerous interdisciplinary questions that remain unresolved in the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR), the extraterritorial protection of human rights, and artificial intelligence (AI).

The latest legislation on CSR (such as EU Directive 2022/2464 on corporate sustainability reporting) and legislation enacted to govern AI warrant increasing attention because they will change the practical landscape in terms of protecting and safeguarding the human rights of consumers and the rights of the environment. In cross-border issues, we must be alert to the extraterritorial problems that may arise in the oversight and application of European legislation, since European lawmakers have been very ambitious in permitting oversight authorities to penalize companies located in third countries for failures to fulfil their CSR or environmental protection obligations, and there are also other problematic aspects. The new legislation will change how companies conduct their cross-border B2B and B2C relations, as CSR and regulatory compliance will, in many cases, no longer be considered merely as soft law.

The main question that needs to be asked when undertaking a thesis in this area is: will the European legislation enacted in this field and in cross-border litigation to protect human rights and the environment's rights really be effective? What kind of problems with international private law are we going to encounter? 

Artificial intelligences (AIs: predictive, generative, and agentic) are major transformative forces that are globally redefining economic, social, and business structures. The origins of the new society of intelligent machines lie in the transformative capabilities of AIs empowered to act as independent and autonomous agents that not only seek to achieve their own goals but boast performance rates far superior to those achieved by human intelligence in a wide range of tasks. This technological disruption represents a paradigm shift in business models and methods. This research line will analyse: i) the factors driving AI adoption by firms; ii) complementarities with people, the dynamic capabilities of firms and the characteristics of the environment and institutions; and iii) the link between AI uses, business models and the sustainability of firms and businesses.

An analysis of the legal and institutional framework of public employment and its governance in the face of the challenges of digitalization, European law, generational succession and institutional sustainability.

The proposed research aims to determine, through the empirical analysis of one or more cases, to what extent the Internet (or any of its elements or applications) transforms the structure of collective action and helps to explain why it works.

Automated administrative procedures can be defined as procedures that are carried out electronically without the involvement of a human being. In recent times, public administrations have incorporated artificial intelligence seeking to automate more of their work.
This research line seeks to analyse the legal framework covering automated administrative work, the risks involved in the use of artificial intelligence in the automation of public administration, the impact that automation may have on administrative law, and how automation can contribute to channelling public administration's transition towards more ecologically sustainable models.

In this research line, it is proposed to analyze the mechanisms for guaranteeing public integrity and transparency.

This research line departs from a political science perspective to address questions related to territorial organization, identity, political processes or multilevel governance including state, regional or urban affairs. Proposals willing to combine theoretical questions with empirical analysis (surveys, geographical data, interviews) are particularly welcomed. 

In recent years, think tanks have become one of the organisations that play an important role for political parties. In particular, they provide them with expert knowledge for political decision-making. Despite the growing connection between the two types of organisations, academic knowledge is still limited. In this line, the aim is to study this relationship in greater depth by means of case studies or comparative research. Among other questions, the aim is to analyse the strategic usefulness of think tanks for parties, their impact on party life, as well as the factors that may influence the scope and type of links between parties and think tanks.

This line is concerned with the study of the quality of democracy in the Latin American region, both from a comparative perspective and through case studies. It is interested in examining the empirical measurement of the quality of democracy, as well as in addressing its causal chain (main explanatory factors and effects).

Political polarisation is one of the big issues of the moment. The aim here is to examine the relevance, changes and implications of polarisation in Latin America, with a particular focus on ideological polarisation. To this end, both case studies and comparative studies can be developed.

This line of research explores the role of indicators and indices as instruments of governance. On the one hand, it seeks to identify the main causes of their emergence and disappearance in specific thematic areas. On the other hand, it examines the consequences of the data in two respects. First, it examines their effects on the global political economy as a source of international authority, an instrument of global governance, a tool of advocacy and self-promotion for certain political actors, and a way of reshaping international and domestic political relations. Second, it analyses in depth the determinants of states' responses to governance indicators and indices in terms of their acceptance, acceptance, pressure or contestation.

The aim of this research line is to develop a field of critical and interdisciplinary analysis in the realm of public policies, focusing on the urban context as a space for innovative responses to contemporary challenges in cities. Within the framework of Global Agendas and Sustainable Development Goals, we seek to deepen the implementation of the Right to the City in various contexts, assuming it is a guiding concept for environmental, social, and spatial justice. Our ultimate goal is the design and application of instruments and methodologies that contribute to addressing and transforming local realities, based on democratic values and the social rights inherent to cities.

Transport systems have underpinned major social and economic transformations in recent centuries. Improvements in infrastructure, technological development, organizational changes, and public policies are just a few of them. This research proposal covers all the studies that seek to examine in further depth the impact of transport policies on various social and economic areas, including economic development, demography, market integration, the reduction of inequalities, health and quality of life, among others.

This thesis proposal addresses political processes that take place in urban environments, in institutions and public policy, and likewise in social movements and everyday life. The studies will focus on power relations, decision-making processes and policies relating to urban challenges and problems such as housing, public space, mobility and the environment. The research will also explore the political content of concepts with strong urban roots, such as municipalism and the right to the city.

A political and constitutional theory-based analysis of issues related to the territorial organization of power, such as federalism, political decentralization, territorial autonomy, multinational democracy, sovereignty, self-determination, secession, supra-state integration and European integration in particular.

This research line explores the impact of digital technologies on politics from both supply and demand perspectives. On the supply side, it examines how digital technologies shape political elites' communication strategies and how these in turn influence public opinion and voting behavior. Key questions include: Under what conditions are elites more likely to use toxic language? What factors drive them to adopt polarizing strategies, such as priming identities or exploiting hate speech? On the demand side, the research investigates how digital and social media shape citizens' attitudes and opinions. Key questions include: How are citizens consuming information in an algorithmically driven media ecosystem? What are the effects of this new information environment on their opinions and behaviors? To address these topics, this line of research will encourage the use of computational methods (e.g., machine learning, social network analysis), experimental designs and other innovative techniques to provide a comprehensive and causal understanding of digital media's political impact.

This research line examines the interaction between digital technologies and democratic innovations. The study focuses on initiatives aimed at improving democratic quality through citizen deliberation and participation, and by means of digital tools and platforms combined with in-person methods. The thematic area includes issues such as the impact and evaluation of participatory processes, the design and digitization of participatory and deliberative processes, the relationship between participation, deliberation and voting, etc. Both theoretical and empirical approaches are valued, although priority will be given to research that is empirically oriented.

This research line aims to analyse and understand the evolution of political parties in a context of intense digitalization, and how they are using digital tools and social media for public participation, communication, deliberation and internal democracy. Theoretical and empirical developments are valued, and various methods may be mixed for use in the study, for instance, quantitative and qualitative techniques; analysis of networks, web platforms and big data; analysis of party manifestos and documents, etc.

This research line addresses theoretical aspects of political science related to disruptive elements of contemporary political systems and their foundations. Three dimensions of analysis are particularly important in this research line:

• Thematic, combining applied theoretical questions with analytical intersections such as identities, immigration, property and freedom in the context of climate change, territorial demands, digital capitalism and spatial justice.
• Scale, approaching the object of study from a multilevel perspective that takes into account the national, regional and urban dimension of political phenomena.
• Methods, in which not only primarily theoretical approaches are valued, but also those aiming to include various empirical qualitative and quantitative analyses.

This research line focuses on an analysis of political representation from a comparative perspective, and includes quantitative and qualitative methods. It addresses two main dimensions:
a. It studies how the internal structure of political parties, their selection processes and the characteristics of political elites affect democratic quality.
b. It examines the impact of institutional factors and territorial characteristics on governance and democratic quality.

Artificial intelligences (AIs: predictive, generative, and agentic) are major transformative forces that are globally redefining economic, social, and political structures. Their hyper-evolutionary nature and accelerated proliferation present a fundamental challenge for current governance frameworks, which are struggling to cope with this accelerated pace of technological change. This situation demands a shift toward much more agile, adaptive, and anticipatory governance models. In this research line we will examine how economic analysis –appropriately revised and updated in such a way as to recover many of the premises of political economy – can be a useful tool in the governance of the challenges of productivity and economic growth, shared social welfare and environmental sustainability in the AI era.

Projects developed within this research line address issues related to electoral accountability, polarization, and the dynamics of public opinion, either through comparative or case-based studies.

Energy and water poverty are multi-faceted issues which require responses from public and administrative law in order to incorporate the principles of equity, universal access and sustainability into public policies and into the legal framework towards the energy and ecological transition. The aim here is to examine how the regulatory framework, the role of sub-state bodies and governance strategies can contribute to a more equitable and inclusive energy and ecological transition. The research line highlights the following areas for analysis: the institutional and regulatory dimension of the energy transition, the local and territorial dimension of policies to counter energy and water poverty, and the social and participatory dimension in the formulation and implementation of public policies in the field of energy.

Legal mechanisms for EU intervention in international conflict resolution. Legal basis. Typology and evolution of European peacekeeping missions. New mandates for peacekeeping missions: protection of human rights, protection of cultural heritage, etc. Study and evolution of the procedures and bodies for the deployment of these peace missions.

This line of research analyses the main dynamics, agents and changes that have taken place in the foreign policies of the two great powers of the region: the People's Republic of China and Japan. For the former, it studies how the change in China's status affects some state actors including the European Union, the United States, Russia and Japan, and its impact on the major international organizations (the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization, etc.). It also focuses on the issue of how China views the current norms of the international system: from the perspective of a normative change, or based on clashing with those norms.

This research line explores both the foundations and the frontiers of contemporary international relations theory. It revisits the major Western paradigms – realism, liberalism, and constructivism – while critically examining their limits in explaining today's complex and multipolar world. At the same time, it seeks to expand the theoretical conversation by engaging with critical approaches such as critical theory, post-structuralism, feminism, and the sociology of power, as well as non-Western perspectives that have emerged from Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Ultimately, this research line aims to rethink how we understand power, agency and order in world politics, and to develop analytical tools that reflect the diversity and interdependence of the international system of the 21st century.

Analysis of the main dynamics in both cooperation and conflict in the Asia-Pacific region. Among other issues linked to this topic, the paradigm shift from "the rise of China" to "China risen" is analysed. This rise of the People's Republic of China has an impact on the balance of power in the international system, the norms and rules of the international system, and international institutions. 

This line of research explores the role of indicators and indices as instruments of governance. On the one hand, it seeks to identify the main causes of their emergence and disappearance in specific thematic areas. On the other hand, it examines the consequences of the data in two respects. First, it examines their effects on the global political economy as a source of international authority, an instrument of global governance, a tool of advocacy and self-promotion for certain political actors, and a way of reshaping international and domestic political relations. Second, it analyses in depth the determinants of states' responses to governance indicators and indices in terms of their acceptance, acceptance, pressure or contestation.

Aquesta línia de recerca vol explorar la geopolítica i geoeconomia actual de la regió entenent la seva estreta correlació: com la política d'accés a determinats recursos i gestió de territoris ha condicionat el poder dels principals actors regionals així com el seu poder econòmic i polític tant a escala regional com a escala global. 

This research line aims to explore the interconnections within nuclear geopolitics –ranging from nuclear weapons doctrines to nuclear energy policies – and its links to deterrence strategies and power games.

Analysis of the economic effects (productivity, competitiveness, development, employment, inequality and sustainability) of digital transformation (robotics, artificial intelligence, industry 4.0, date-driven economy, gig economy, MANBRIC technologies) at aggregate, sectoral and regional level.

This research project focuses on analysing litigation against states, private or state-owned companies for their contribution to climate change and its impacts on human rights. Such litigation seeks to promote the protection of human rights beyond the parties involved in a particular legal proceeding, whether domestic or international, to bring about broader change in the international community.

This research project analyses the impact of new technologies (AI, data protection, biotechnology, etc.) on the enjoyment of human rights, as well as the resulting normative challenges for the international community.

The international human rights regime lacks an effective system of sanctions to address states' failure to comply with its rules. Economic instruments such as trade sanctions are sometimes used as an option to induce international cooperation and protection of human rights.

Climate change has a direct impact on global policies and severe economic consequences. As the world tries to cope with the effects and risks of climate change, opportunities for conflict and extreme consequences for sustainable economic development appear to surface. Existing international relations studies offer substantial evidence of a strong connection between business activities and political strategy that are falling into a logic of conflict within the geo-economic and political system. Furthermore, globalization and the concentration of economic activity and political power among a few players have had a significant impact on international and domestic inequalities, leading to increasing levels of instability that have materialized as adverse spillover effects on international cooperation and geopolitics. This research line intends to study and tackle climate change from a multidisciplinary perspective at the intersection of economics and politics.

Since the end of the 20th century, the international intellectual property regime has gained decisive momentum with the adoption of the World Trade Organisation's Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. This proposal is to analyse the relationship between this regime and sustainable development goals.

One of the main criteria for the exercise of taxing power of most states and jurisdictions is the primary physical presence in the territory concerned. However, the classical design was not intended to cover the absence of geographical constraints made possible by current technology which, together with the possibilities offered by today's interconnections, have given rise to increasing globalization, in turn paving the way for a new scenario that poses unprecedented problems and challenges of worldwide scope.

This thesis proposal addresses the social relations and processes created by urban space and the metabolism of cities. It investigates the ways in which the reproduction of capital and social reproduction are intertwined and come into conflict within the framework of urban transformations. We welcome proposals that address the housing issue, the links between urban development and ecology, socio-territorial inequalities and the changes in economic and property structures that make up an increasingly urban world.

This research line is aimed at doctoral candidates interested in contributing to contemporary critical theoretical debates in the broad discipline of international relations and in associated practices that seek to question and erode the foundations of current international politics, which reproduce a racial capitalism based on exclusion, violence and relations of subjugation.

An analysis of international conflicts (especially in the Middle East and Africa), proposals for possible resolutions, and/or the development of theoretical tools to improve these analyses. Authors such as Bichler and Nitzan (with energy conflicts, among others), Barak and Shefer (with security networks), concepts such as the military-industrial complex and theoretical approaches such as the Sociology of Power (or the DAP perspective) identify parties that benefit from armed conflicts, who could be considered promoters of conflicts. Together with critical security studies, these authors and theoretical approaches provide us with theoretical tools that are particularly useful for analysing specific cases of conflict and identifying their causes in order to propose measures for resolution (or prevention) and move towards new models of collective security.

This research line seeks to analyse and theorize the European Union's foreign policy within the context of a changing international order. It welcomes PhD students with projects focusing on specific policy areas such as the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), development cooperation, humanitarian action, human rights, trade, climate change and energy. The research line is also open to proposals with a geographical focus, including the EU's Neighbourhood and Enlargement policies, as well as regional (e.g. EU-LATAM, EU-MENA, EU-ASEAN) and bilateral (e.g. EU-US, EU-Russia, EU-China, EU-Japan) relations. PhD proposals may be grounded in a range of theoretical perspectives, from traditional international relations theories to critical and non-Western theories. Projects using either quantitative and or qualitative methods are equally welcomed.

This research line analyses contemporary dynamics of political change and resilience in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with a special focus on political systems. It covers topics such as democratization and autocratization processes from the perspective of political elites, as well as civil society and grassroots mobilizations. Additionally, it invites PhD proposals that want to research the influence of international actors (state and non-state) in the region. The research line is open to different theory frameworks, including rentier state theory, sociology of power, feminist theory and other agency-based and structure-based perspectives.

In a globalized world full of uncertainties and risk, rising levels of conflict have taken different forms as a result of a global balance of power competition underpinned by a range of geostrategic approaches. In this regard, this research line is open to exploring the juxtaposition of both geopolitics and geoeconomics embedded within the geostrategy of major powers and international alliances, using military, technological, economic or financial means to exert influence.