Research is oriented to the production of knowledge that can make a contribution to the direct or indirect improvement of the situation of the most disadvantaged communities both in the Global North and in the Global South. The construction of this knowledge is not conceived for but with the protagonists (the peoples and communities themselves) of the development processes that the GEDCE tries to support.

The main research areas are:

1. Applied ethics and social responsibility (coord. José Félix Lozano).

Study of the rationale and application of ethics in three particular fields: professional activity, organizational performance (public and private) and international aid. Our research efforts are centered in the theoretical reflection as well as in the application of mechanisms and processes for improving the ethical standards of organizations and professionals.  Moreover, the research area tries to make a relevant contribution to sustainable human development from a freedom-based perspective.

2. Education on values, Education for Development and critical learning at University (coord. Alejandra Boni).

Study of the moral values in educational processes, from a theoretical and applied perspective, for educational planning and policy-making. Analysis of critical learning-teaching processes in University education. Role of University as a transformative agent in society. Education for Development and its links with international development strategies.

3. Process-oriented planning and management for development, in the field of international aid (coord. Jordi Peris).

Study of the rationale, methods and techniques in process-centered development planning, in a broad sense and with special emphasis in rural and local sustainable development. It covers methodologies for diagnose, planning and evaluation of development policies, plans, programs and projects, as well as its links with international aid. In includes the analysis of methodologies based on logical models, participative approaches and methods, project cycle management and evaluation approaches and techniques. Emphasis is given to concepts, policies and planning approaches for rural development and Local Agenda 21.

4. Technology transfer for empowerment and the promotion of equity (coord. Álvaro Fernández-Baldor).

Study of the role of scientific and technological systems in the promotion of social and environmental sensitive development. Analysis of participatory innovation and technology transfer processes in the field of international aid and in local and rural development. In covers different technological fields as renewable energy sources, information and communication technologies and water and sanitation systems. The University as enabler of process of innovation with citizen participation: community-based research and service learning. 

5. Democratic governance and sustainable human development in urban areas (coord. Carola Calabuig).

The political dimension is a central issue in planning and management processes for urban development, in interaction with social, economic and environmental dimensions. Assuming that power is distributed among multiple stakeholders, we define governance as the political process through which societies take their relevant decisions. In this processes, legitimacy becomes a key issue, gained through participation, equity and accountability. Capacity for generating and implementing strategic visions becomes also a key question. Particularly but not only, this research area goes into the study of Local Agenda 21 as a planning and management instrument for sustainable urban development in countries of the Global South.

6. New trends in international aid (coord. Alejandra Boni).

In covers the study of the new dynamics in international aid, with special emphasis in the emergence of new stakeholders. Particularly, the research area approaches the role of the academia in the international aid system, as well as its relation with other development stakeholders. Co-development is also a subject of study in this research area, that is, the analysis of migrations in the framework of international aid and the inclusion of human rights in the development agenda. Moreover, the line explores development processes that incorporate the realization of human rights as a standard for planning and implementation of development interventions. Particular importance will be given to the study of the role of grass-roots organizations, social movements and NGO in the promotion of human rights.

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