Research topics

The selection committee will in any case evaluate research projects with a different topic from the priority ones selected in the Call for Application as long as they are related to the following areas of interest of the PhD programme, as suggested by the members of the Doctorate's Academic Board.

1. Citizenship and Human Rights

Citizenship maintains a complex and persistent relationship with human rights. On one hand, it underpins the attribution and enforcement of rights within political communities, both in legal and sociological terms. On the other, it can serve as a source of exclusion, contradicting the universality of human rights. This research area explores how human rights challenge and reshape the criteria and consequences of citizenship, and how expanding or decoupling rights from citizenship status contributes to more inclusive societies.

2. Gender Equity

Gender-based asymmetries remain embedded in social, economic, and political life. Manifestations include pay gaps, unequal care responsibilities, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and gender-based violence. This research investigates the structural roots of these inequalities, the stereotypes and discriminations that sustain them, and identifies transformative pathways for gender equity, empowerment, and psychological growth. Special attention is paid to legal, policy, and cultural dynamics that promote or hinder gender justice.

3. Globalisation, Migration, and Humanitarian Assistance

Globalisation and international migration continue to polarise public debate and policy responses. While labour mobility dominates many discussions, forced migration, irregular flows, and environmental displacement are growing concerns. This research area examines the interlinked effects of globalisation on human mobility, inequality, and environmental degradation, and investigates the health, security, and social consequences of migration. It also explores how humanitarian responses interact with human rights obligations in an increasingly interconnected world.

4. Governance and Emergencies

The global increase in emergency interventions—from humanitarian relief to structural adjustment—poses major questions for democratic governance and human rights. Emergency-based practices, often politicised and short-term, risk undermining rule-based, accountable governance. This research line analyses how emergency responses align or clash with human rights principles, and how governance structures can learn from such experiences to become more resilient, equitable, and rights-oriented in crisis settings.

5. Human Rights in the EU’s External Relations

The EU’s external action is grounded in values such as human dignity, democracy, and the rule of law. This research area investigates how these principles are translated—or compromised—in the EU’s foreign policy, development cooperation, and security strategies. Emphasis is placed on concepts such as ‘normative power’ and ‘human security’, and on critically assessing the coherence, legitimacy, and ethical implications of the EU’s role as a global actor in human rights promotion.

6. Inclusion and Psychological Growth

Inclusion goes beyond the integration of individuals into pre-existing structures: it involves rethinking the conditions for full social participation and quality of life. Research in this area focuses on the psychological processes that foster or hinder inclusion—attitudes, emotions, behaviours—and on the design of interventions to overcome social, linguistic, bureaucratic, and educational barriers. Special attention is given to inclusive life design, sustainable futures, decent work, and access to palliative care as dimensions of dignity and human rights.

7. International Law, International Order, and Human Rights

The evolving relationship between international law and human rights raises fundamental questions. How do international legal norms and institutions affect the protection of human rights? How do rights-based approaches influence the development of international law itself, including the hierarchy of norms, accountability mechanisms, and global justice frameworks? This research area explores debates on constitutionalisation, fragmentation, and legitimacy within the international legal order through a human rights lens.

8. Microfinance, Social Inclusion, and Climate Change Adaptation

Microfinance has emerged as a tool for promoting social inclusion, particularly among marginalised populations. In the face of climate change, it can also support community-based adaptation strategies by enhancing local resilience. This research examines the impact of microfinance on poverty reduction, adaptation planning, and the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It seeks to identify the financial, institutional, and policy conditions that maximise its potential for sustainable and inclusive development.

9. Racial Discrimination in the Labour Market

Despite legal commitments to non-discrimination, racial and ethnic disparities persist in hiring, pay, and workplace representation. This research explores mechanisms of systemic exclusion—including biased educational pathways, stereotypes, and limited access to quality employment—through interdisciplinary approaches combining economics, sociology, law, and political science. Methodologies include regression analyses and field experiments, offering evidence-based insights into affirmative actions, equal opportunity policies, and social justice outcomes.

10. Social Vulnerabilities, Public Policies, and Human Rights

Vulnerability, shaped by socio-political, economic, and legal factors, often exposes individuals and groups to rights violations. This research area critically assesses how public policies respond to the needs of vulnerable populations—such as victims of trafficking, children in exploitative contexts, or survivors of gender-based violence. It analyses protection systems, referral mechanisms, and policy coherence, seeking to develop frameworks that prioritise dignity, agency, and intersectional justice.

11. Human Rights Protection and Advocacy from a Multi-Level Governance Perspective

Human rights are increasingly shaped by actors and institutions operating across multiple levels of governance—from local authorities to international bodies. This research explores how advocacy efforts leverage tools such as open-source intelligence (OSINT), geographic information systems (GIS), and geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) to document abuses, advance accountability, and support early warning mechanisms. The role of human rights education in higher education institutions is also examined as a means of building capacity, raising awareness, and fostering long-term civic engagement.

12. Climate Justice, Political Agroecology, and Sustainable Development

Climate justice recognises the disproportionate impacts of environmental degradation on disadvantaged populations. This research area explores how political agroecology offers pathways for food sovereignty, biodiversity, and ecological sustainability, challenging dominant extractive models. It investigates the role of local knowledge systems, grassroots activism, and transnational movements in promoting environmental rights and sustainable development, with a focus on the interplay between social justice and ecological resilience.

13. The European Union’s Values and External Action: Contradictions and Risks

The EU’s foundational values—human rights, democracy, and the rule of law—are often invoked in its external policies. However, tensions arise when geopolitical, economic, or security interests overshadow normative commitments. This research investigates such contradictions, exploring how policies on trade, migration, border control, and security cooperation can compromise the EU’s credibility and legitimacy. It seeks to identify policy gaps, risk factors, and accountability mechanisms for aligning EU external action with its declared values.

14. Human Rights in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping society, from justice systems to health care, migration management, and surveillance. While AI raises concerns around algorithmic bias, opacity, and accountability, it also offers tools for advancing human rights—such as cost-effective data analysis, automated monitoring, and early warning systems. This research investigates both dimensions: how to regulate AI to safeguard human dignity, and how to harness its potential in civil society advocacy. It also explores the use of AI in warfare—particularly in autonomous targeting systems—and the ethical, legal, and humanitarian implications of its militarisation.

15. People analytics in SMEs: a data driven approach to promote welfare and inclusion.