Areas of research

The following five cross-disciplinary research areas define social science research at ULiège. They are developed in whole or in part by the IRSS sub-units, according to their respective expertise. Within these fields, IRSS members pay particular attention to digital and virtual issues, as well as to gender relations.

Public action, governance and development

Our research focuses on how forms of public action are changing in areas such as health, crime, immigration and integration, education, employment, the family, youth, North-South relations and development. They are also interested in the emergence of new forms of governance, whether local or global.

Social, cultural and political mobilization

The study of public opinion has a long tradition at ULiège. It is linked to research on the new forms of social, cultural and political mobilization emerging in our society, and on new practices of resistance and urban solidarity, whether in the North or South of the world. The transnationalization of these movements is also the subject of theoretical and empirical research.

Identity dynamics (ethnic, cultural, gender, professional, etc.)

Questions relating to identity dynamics, whether in the workplace or in society as a whole, are at the heart of our research preocuppations. What new collective identities are emerging? How do they assert themselves? What role does the digitization of society play in these identity dynamics? These questions, at the heart of the research carried out in the sub-units, are related to the research carried out in the previous research area.

Work, organization and social change

This area addresses specific questions linked to the evolution of work and organizational dynamics, in relation to the societal dynamics they both reflect and reconfigure. How are labor markets, work contexts and work processes being redefined in the wake of digitalization and globalization? What is the impact of these changes on professional practices, knowledge and ethics? Etc.

Methodological development (quantitative and qualitative)

Our research uses both quantitative and qualitative methods, depending on the specific research topics and scientific disciplines represented at IRSS. In each case, a process of methodological development is undertaken in order to constantly improve our empirical investigation tools.

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