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Research

We prioritize research with social impact that contributes to the improvement of society in areas in which we are experts: health, education, sport, communication and international relations.

We believe that research lays the foundations for university education. Our research groups are recognized by the Government of Catalonia's Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR). We work with academic institutions, government bodies and business sectors, both national and international.

The main lines of research are defined in the Focus Areas established in Aristos Campus Mundus, a project promoted by the Ramon Llull, Deusto and Comillas universities.

These three constitute a Campus of International Excellence and have a cooperation agreement with Georgetown University, Boston College and Fordham University in the United States.

Meet our research groups

Our research work in figures

301

publications
during 2021

projects
during 2021

doctoral theses defended
during 2021

research groups
in 2021

Blanquerna and the HRS4R, a commitment to Europe's research and recovery plan

Since 2019, Blanquerna has been accredited under the HRS4R scheme, the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers, created by the European Commission, which supports research institutions in the implementation of the Charter & Code in their policies and practices.

Further information

The Research Institute for Educational Innovation and Leadership

The Research Institute for Educational Innovation and Leadership carries out research into issues such as educational innovation, the creation of new models of organization and networked educational leadership, new information and communication technologies, socio-educational participation and mediation, the ethics of educational and organizational leadership, intercultural dialogue in our society, and language learning in multilingual contexts.

Psicologia aprenentatge i desenvolupament

Research Institute for Psychology, Learning and Development (Re-Psy)

Studies are preferably carried out as applied research projects. Different areas of psychology are studied, including: personal health and balance, personality and family relationships, identity building, organizational development and learning, and teaching and learning in different contexts.

Research Institute for Sport, Health and Society of Barcelona (Re-Sport)

The Institute offers a holistic view of sport and physical activity in different contexts with a multi-disciplinary approach. It focuses on research into sport, health and genetics, the elderly and chronic diseases, parasport, training, innovation and physical education, social intervention with sport, economic and urban development, active tourism and leisure and public policies, management, psychology and sports history.

Health Research Institute

We emphasize the role of research as an essential function of the university and the basis of university teaching. The research carried out at the Institute focuses on wellbeing, pharmacogenetics, health and physical activity, and global health and gender.

The Research Institute for Communication and International Relations

Research focuses primarily on the revolution brought about by ICTs, in the context of globalization, and how this revolution is affecting the lives of individuals and communities, always from a multidisciplinary perspective. It is structured around various technological vectors and lines of digital activity with a desire to serve society.

Research group directory

PhD studies

PhD in Health, Welfare and Bioethics

The program will be organized within the framework of the Aristos Campus Mundus Campus of Excellence and is taught jointly by the University of Deusto, the Comillas Pontifical University and Ramon Llull University.

PhD in Education and Sports Sciences

This is an interdepartmental program involving three URL Schools: the School of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences, the School of Health Sciences, and the Pere Tarrés Faculty of Social Education and Social Work.

PhD in Communication

The PhD program seeks to develop the necessary skills and competences to train high-level researchers to carry out solid research in the field of Communication.

PhD in Psychology

Six psychology research groups are involved in the program, undertaking different lines of research in the fields of health and clinical psychology, educational psychology and organizational psychology.

Interuniversity PhD in Educational Psychology

This is a joint program involving four universities (University of Barcelona, Autonomous University of Barcelona, the University of Girona, and Ramon Llull University), coordinated by the University of Barcelona. Various groups are taking part, pursuing different lines of research into educational psychology.

International PhD program in Applied Psychology: Adaptation and change in contemporary societies

This program in Applied Psychology is set up and operated by a consortium of three European universities: Ramon Llull University, Universidade Católica Portuguesa and Nottingham Trent University.

See all programs

Research support services

Research Support Office

Research Support Office

If you are part of a research group, a professor or a PhD student and you need help with a project, you can ask for advice. This assistance includes analysis, guidance, help with applying for awards, and the financial management of projects.

Research ethics committees

Research ethics committees

Ethics in the field of research is fundamental. The Faculty Research Institutes are supported by the opinions of the Research Ethics Committees (CER-URL) to evaluate and rate projects that have ethical implications.

GREC

GREC is a platform for managing all URL search activity. If you want to consult, follow up or present a research project, GREC is the service that can help you.

Methodological Advisory Service (SAM)

Servei d'Assessorament Metodològic (SAM)

Methodological Advisory Service (SAM)

Do you need guidance or support on your research project? The Methodological Advisory Service (SAM) offers you a series of procedures to guide you in your work process in the field of research.

Libraries

If you need a quiet space to study or to do individual and group work, come to the library! Each school has its own library with computers, workrooms, reading points and an extensive catalog of documents you can consult in both hard copy and digital format.

General Research Plans

The research policies of the Blanquerna schools are defined in their research plans, which detail the measures adopted to promote, support and disseminate the scientific activity of the centers.

General Research Plan for the School of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences

Access to documents:

General Research Plan for the School of Health Sciences

The plan is divided into core areas, objectives, lines and instruments. Each core area has specific objectives which lead to lines of action with appropriate instruments.

General Research Plan of the School

General Research Plan for the School of Communication and International Relations

Access to documents:

Academic journals

Influential publications that bring together academic and scientific articles to publicize research activity in the fields of knowledge of each Blanquerna-URL research institute.

Aloma Magazine

Scientific publication issued by the Blanquerna School of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences. Founded in 1997, it is published twice a year and supports work in the fields of Psychology, Educational Sciences, Physical Activity and Sport.

Tripodos Magazine

International academic journal published twice yearly by the School of Communication and International Relations. It is a forum for debate and critical discussion about any discipline related to communication.

Ars Brevis

Annual publication of the Ramon Llull Blanquerna Chair, which brings together contributions in the fields of anthropology, ethics, and philosophy and aims to publicize research in the field of thought.

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Blanquerna Observatory of Communication, Religion and Culture

A space for research and dissemination of activities that link communication with religion. It tracks trends in religious information, the presence of religion in the media and the links between popular culture and the spiritual and social aspects of society.

Chair of Religious Freedom

This Chair, promoted by the Directorate General for Religious Affairs and based on the Blanquerna Observatory of Communication, Religion and Culture, provides a space for research and dissemination with the aim of studying and analyzing religious freedom and awareness in Catalonia.

Blanquerna-Emerson Center for Global Communication

The aim is to promote cooperation between the two centers and to engage in joint activities that include graduate studies, exchanges and events. The Center also wants to create new opportunities for research and teaching and foster synergies in the field of global communication.

Ramon Llull Chair

In the academic field, it covers the areas of anthropology, ethics, philosophy, religious science and theology. It organizes debates, round tables and discussions to promote the faith-culture dialogue. It also publishes the Ars Brevis yearbook, which includes articles related to the areas mentioned.

ETHOS-URL Chair

The Chair's priority lines of research and work are: organizational ethics, professional ethics, bioethics, media ethics, corporate social responsibility, and educational strategies for ethics outreach.

International Communication and Reality Congress

The Congress is the biannual meeting of the international scientific community, where the latest research in the field of communication is presented. It is an innovative, dynamic and creative conference with a critical, forward-looking spirit regarding future guidelines for research in this sector.

Barcelona International Symposium - Education - Change

Organized by the School of Psychology, Education and Sport Science, the Jesuit Education Foundation and Col·legi Montserrat. The aim is to showcase educational changes in Barcelona to help position it as a smart city and one of the places where most progress is made in education.

Organizational Legitimacy Observatory

The Organizational Legitimacy Observatory is a knowledge center where researchers from around the world can share knowledge about one of the most important intangible assets in Business, Management, Marketing and Communication: organizational legitimacy.

News

PhD students Clàudia Baraut and Pia Elisabeth Domènech receive the Joan Oró grants, awarded by AGAUR