Researchers in this group work on a number of topics related to specific public policies (social policy, water, health…) and also on issues of governance, public management, citizen participation and territorial and local government. Most of the researchers are also members of the UAB Institute of Government and Public Policies which includes researchers from other disciplines and departments. 

Some are integrated in a Research Group recognized by the Catalan Government (SGR – AGAUR, 2009-2013). 

Live research projects January 2014

• Deliberative Democracy and Water Policy: Public Participation in Relation to the Water Framework Directive (Ministry of Science and Innovation, 2010-2013)
  We have analyzed how water authorities in Spain have implemented the participative instruction contained in the UE directive and, in 6 specific cases, we have also evaluated its results. For more information contact Prof. Brugué.

• Devolution and inequality in the State of Autonomies: Ideology and parties, public opinion, territorial financing and public policies
  This project (Ministry of Science and Innovation, 2011-2014) analyzes the relationship between devolution and inter-territorial (in)equality in Spain. The main research questions are: ¿Why have autonomous regions taken different public policy options? What factors influence regional governments when they make decisions that differ across territories? What is the impact of such differences in terms of inter-territorial inequality? The hypotheses and subsequent analyses integrate the impact of both political and economic factors as explanatory variables of decision making. For more information contact Prof. Gallego.

• Transformations of urban governance in the context of the crisis. Evolution and prospects of participative governance in Spain and the UK (Transgob)
  Transgob (Ministry of Science and Innovation, 2013-2016)  analyses the evolution of discourses and practices of urban participative governance in the context of the crisis. We compare the trajectories of participative governance of 5 Spanish cities (Barcelona, Madrid, Lleida, Bilbao and San Sebastian) and 2 British cities (Leicester and Cardiff). Several Spanish and British research teams are involved in this study. For more information contact Prof. Blanco.

• Disadvantaged neighbourhoods in face of crisis: urban segregation, social innovation and civic capacity  (Neighbourhoods and Crisis)
  The project Neighbourhoods and Crisis (Recercaixa, 2013-2015) has two main goals: 1) to analyse the impacts of the crisis on the dynamics of urban segregation in Catalonia and, more specifically, on disadvantaged neighbourhoods; 2) to study the kind of responses that are being given to such situations at the neighbourhood level. More specifically, we aim to identify the factors that strengthen the resilience of communities. For more information contact Prof. Blanco. 

• Youth, Unemployment and Social Exclusion
  This project (RecerCaixa 2010-2014) explores the ways in which labour, education and social policies addressing school-to-work transitions and, more generally, the problem of youth unemployment are adequate in the current context of austerity programmes and very high levels of unemployment among young people. The main emphasis is on the capacity of Third Sector organisations to articulate responses from below ('territorially embedded'), either in coordination with public administrations or with larger social networks. For more information contact Prof. Leon or Prof. Subirats.

• The Transformation of Care in European Societies
  This project (CSO2011-2833, 2011-2014) aims at studying main tensions and dilemmas in the development of social care policies in a number of European countries (Austria, Denmark, England, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain). The focus is on Long Term Care policies (LTC) and Early Years Education and Care (ECEC), with special emphasis on the workforce. The development of a specific system of the social organization of care, and its capacity for future development will have an impact on the working conditions and professional opportunities of care workers. For more information contact Prof. Leon.

• Urban policies
  This project (Ministry of Science and Innovation 2012-2015) seeks to present a new analytical framework of urban policies and to evaluate a set of experiences in Spain that are used to illustrate and exemplify an emerging reality of innovative approaches in urban scenarios within the logic of social innovation and co-production. For more information contact Prof. Subirats.

• Innovation in public policies (various sources)
  This project aims to analyze innovation in public policies. After a conceptual discussion about the reasons and the meaning of innovation in public administration, we have identified several innovative public policies and, through a qualitative approach, we are now trying to identify the factors that can promote the emergence of innovation in the public domain. For more information contact Prof. Brugué.

• Public Service Motivation: measurement and consequences (various surces)
  This project aims to measure PSM in various samples of “public servants” working in public sector, third sector or private sector organizations. Using contextualized and non-contextualized measures, the project attempts to observe the consequences of having PSM in attitudes and behaviour such as organizational commitment, job satisfaction and performance. For more information contact Prof. Ballart.