Interdisciplinary Areas

To promote interdisciplinarity and enable the links between its two thematic lines and seven groups (and clusters) of research, CEIS20 proposes to develop four interdisciplinary thematic areas of research capable of bringing together different areas of knowledge, enhance collaborative work and contribute to strengthening the Centre at regional, national and international scales. Having given some thought regarding the themes where the Centre has a significant wealth of production and knowledge transfer, as well as about the themes that need to be addressed due to their strategic nature, the Centre has decided that the following four areas are a priority, in particular frame to prepare applications for projects. By fostering the partnerships established through research networks and calling for a new culture of interdisciplinary work, we hope that they will also enable closer interaction with Advanced Training programmes.

Area 1 – Inequalities, borders and mobilities

Study of inequalities and how they relate with the territory, covering, in particular: their different forms; their origins and social and individual impacts; discursive processes, ideologies and representations that follow and/or legitimise these inequalities; levels, areas and types of intervention that may help overcome them. This strategic area is essential for project applications, in particular within the framework of the themes concerning crossing-point territories and refugees.

Area 2 – Media and society in the post-digital area

A critical analysis of the impacts, opportunities, risks and challenges of the omnipresence of digital technologies in the various spheres of life and in contemporary societies. The following processes will be addressed: production, dissemination and consumption of information and knowledge; social and territorial organisation; construction of memory, identity, and individual and collective representation. All the above are considered in a context of radical transformations in the media and their relations with political regimes and citizens.

Area 3 – Democracy, present time and the memory of dictatorships

Characterisation of the current system of international relations, the situation of democratic regimes and other types of political organisation, and future scenarios. Contextualisation of the current situation in previous contexts, analysis of the material and immaterial legacy of 20th century authoritarian and totalitarian experiences. Analysis of processes of transition to democracy and how this memory and heritage are managed and construed.

Area 4 – Theory in humanities, arts, social sciences and social technologies

The development of theoretical and epistemological studies, emphasising the importance of promoting high level research through questioning, analysis and reflection in connection with these studies, embodied in the objectives defined for Advanced Studies (e.g. PhD in Contemporary Studies and Summer Schools), to open new avenues and critical discussion about the importance of interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity in Humanities and Social Sciences.