Education and ICT (e-learning)

Educational Issues and Contexts in the Digital Society

This research area investigates educational issues settled in different environments, learning situations and ages framed in the digital society. All educational practices happen in sociocultural contexts, so this field of knowledge searches to contribute with substantial work to understand and to improve the education universe and, hence, the current digital society. From this perspective, in this research line, technology is not the research focus but part of the sociocultural context which shapes relationships, tools and educational settings.

The goal of this research line is to investigate aspects involving education in a broad way which could happen in any place with an open perspective. This approach opens the door to research about topics like: informal teaching in global scenarios, technical elements like quality criteria adapted to any setting where the enhancement of teaching and learning could be designed, supported or demonstrated and also adopt a socio-educational approach focused in elements which comprise or influence the nature and the progress of the education practice from a more social point of view. 

Keywords

Thesis Proposals

Researchers

Research Group

Keywords
Social and educational action in school environments
 
Educational spaces in schools have increased in number and have diversified, with new actors becoming involved. This is a complex reality that offers social education workers many possibilities for action and reflection. Based on the premise that social education promotes the right to education and culture, as well as openness to surroundings and social and collaborative relationships, social education workers have a place at the heart of schools in a framework of collaboration with the rest of the education systems.
 
Research topics:
 
  • The social function of schools
  • Educational and pedagogical models
  • Professional tasks and responsibilities
 

Dr Eva Bretones 
ebretones@uoc.edu

 

LES social action; school environments; social educators

Analysis of social education practices in complex environments

This thesis proposal is an opportunity to research the educational effects of institutional practices in the field of child protection as well as analysis and comparisons of protection systems. There is also an interest in studying social pedagogy's contributions to the analysis of professional practices and case analysis methodology in teams of social education workers. Lastly, there is the intention to create ties with studies or research projects relating to social education, adolescence and cities.

Research topics

  • Supervision of teams
  • Social pedagogy
  • Social education
  • Professional practices
  • Analysis of practices
  • Community participation

Dr Segundo Moyano
smoyanom@uoc.edu

Dr Jordi Solé
jsolebla@uoc.edu

LES

socioeducational practice; social education; pedagogical supervision

Contemporary pedagogical thinking and critical education

This line of research is an opportunity for students to work on doctoral theses linked to contemporary pedagogical thinking, following perspectives from the theory and history of education. Considering standpoints in critical pedagogy, the intention is to study the elements that allow for certain openings in the ways educational practices are conceived and performed. Based on a hermeneutic epistemology and qualitative methodologies, the idea is to study education using parameters such as diversity, differences, bodies, and peace culture. 

Research topics

  • Queer theory and education in pedagogical devices
  • Pedagogy and functional diversity: critical studies on inclusion
  • Sensitive pedagogy and body studies: bodies, culture and education
  • Pedagogies and peace culture
  • Philosophy of education
  • Theory of education
  • Contemporary pedagogical thinking

Dr Jordi Planella 
jplanella@uoc.edu

GREPPS (UB)
 
body education, philosophy of education, queer theory and education, inclusive education
 
Social stratification and inequalities in lifelong learning pathways
 
This proposal is addressed to PhD candidates interested in exploring the factors associated with unequal access to lifelong educational opportunities and inequalities in outcomes, from both instrumental and positional perspectives. We also welcome proposals that specifically examine the role these factors play in educational models, approaches and processes, that is, how and to what extent they are relevant. 
 
 
Studies may focus on any educational setting or social care institution, including schools at all educational levels and in any format (on-site or online), social care facilities, shelters and housing services for women and children, residential care institutions for children and young people, lifelong learning associations, and adult education schools. 
 
 
Research approaches should be interdisciplinary, drawing on related fields such as social pedagogy, sociology and anthropology. Mixed-method designs that coherently combine sound quantitative methodologies with robust qualitative approaches are particularly encouraged.
 
 
gferrere@uoc.edu
 
ebretones@uoc.edu
 
apaniaguar@uoc.edu
 
sfabreguesf@uoc.edu
 
LES
lifelong educational opportunities; mixed-methods; social stratification and inequalities
 
Second chance programs and institutional agents
 
The main goal is to understand and improve the pathways and processes of youth at risk of limited employment (YARLE). The approach aims at intertwining macro and micro variables, and in particular the role of key community agents (local enterprises, TSOs, high schools, among others) and the spread of second chance schools locally and internationally. A particular focus will be given to the analysis of both formal and informal support and services youth at risk have received in terms of counseling and guidance.
 
 
Dr Alejandro Paniagua (coord.)
apaniaguar@uoc.edu
 
gferrere@uoc.edu
 
LES
second-chance programs, youth transitions and mixed-methods
 
Inclusive Education and Educational Transformation in Diverse Contexts: A Systemic View 
 
This proposal is based on a vision of educational inclusion as a wide-ranging and transformative process that requires action both in pedagogical practices and in the institutional and cultural structures of the education system. Accessibility, well-being and social justice are the three main pillars.
 
Research areas include initial teacher training, inclusive school practices, digital accessibility, universal design for learning (UDL), the role of artificial intelligence in personalizing learning, physical activity and inclusive sport, emotional well-being and educational resilience, and school and work transitions.
 
The comprehensiveness of this proposal makes it possible to analyse educational inclusion at various educational stages and in different settings (formal and non-formal education; early childhood, primary, secondary and post-compulsory education), paying particular attention to rural, disadvantaged and culturally diverse environments.
 
Dr. Xenia Garcia Valles (Coordination)
xgarciav@uoc.edu 
 
llluchm@uoc.edu
 
emasdeuy@uoc.edu
 
mlopezcos@uoc.edu
 
GREDU inclusió educativa, accessibilitat digital, benestar emocional, DUA
Methodological research in education
 
This research topic welcomes theses that make a substantial contribution to research methodology in the field of education. Such contributions may focus on one or more of the three primary research methodologies: quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods. Examples of this type of research, referred to in the literature as "methodological research" or "meta-research", may include (but are not limited to) empirical studies that (a) analyse the state of published research methods in one or more areas of educational research; (b) examine how educational researchers think about and use a particular methodology or methodologies; (c) identify methodological gaps in an area of educational research; or (d) develop a tool or framework for improving the quality of educational research.
 
sfabreguesf@uoc.edu
 
gferrere@uoc.edu
 
jmenesesn@uoc.edu
 
lcrescenzi@uoc.edu
 
 
NUTRALiSS (Sergi Fàbregues)
 
 
 
LES (Gerard Ferrer-Esteban)
 
MISS (Julio Meneses)
 
 
(Lucrezia Crecenzi)
 
educational research methodology; meta-research; research methods with child participants