Projects

Ongoing Projects

Study of the contribution of universities to economic and social development
Knowledge and Development Foundation (CYD)
PI: Jasmina Berbegal Mirabent (UPC)

Collaboration in the preparation of the CYD Report, the annual reference report on the Spanish university system, aimed at informing public debate and decision-making in university policy. The project systematically analyzes the contribution of universities to economic and social development across key dimensions (teaching, research, knowledge transfer, entrepreneurship, international projection, and labor market integration) and includes the design and validation of composite indicators that allow for an evidence-based comparative analysis of the Spanish university system, with the goal of strengthening transparency, institutional performance, and the strategic orientation of higher education policies.

Evaluating the social return of research in an open science context
Ramon Areces Foundation.
PI: Jasmina Berbegal Mirabent (UPC)

Project aimed at transforming the criteria used to evaluate research. Its goal is to provide scientific systems with rigorous tools to measure the real social impact of research, beyond traditional bibliometric indicators. The project identifies which institutional practices and conditions maximize this impact and offers empirical evidence to guide evaluation, funding, and open science policies. The results contribute to strengthening accountability and the social return of public R&D investment.

ChallengED: Empowering Innovation, Environmental Action, and Civic Engagement through Challenge-Based Entrepreneurship Education
European Commission, Education Audiovisual and Culture Agency Executive Agency (Ref: 2024-1-BE02-KA220-HED-000252761)
PI: Yolande Berbers (KU Leuven)

Erasmus+ European project that drives the transformation of higher education through learning based on real challenges posed by local actors. Its objective is to strengthen students' entrepreneurial competencies, civic engagement, and green skills, aligning university training with the priorities of the European Green Deal. The project develops a replicable teaching model and a rigorous methodology to evaluate the social, institutional, and educational impact of Challenge-Based Learning. ChallengED provides evidence and tools to reinforce the role of universities as engines of innovation, sustainability, and commitment to the territory.

Unite! University Network for Innovation, Technology and Engineering
European Commission, Education Audiovisual and Culture Agency Executive Agency (Ref: 101089731-ERASMUS-EDU-2022-EUR-UNIV).
PI: Maria Lourdes Reig Puig (UPC) (01/2023 - 05/2025), Juan Jesus Perez Gonzalez (UPC) (06/2025 - 10/2026)

UNITE! is an alliance of European universities promoting deep cooperation in education, research, and innovation. It is part of the European Commission's European Universities initiative and promotes an integrated, interdisciplinary university model focused on social challenges. The alliance fosters mobility, innovative learning, and collaboration among students, faculty, and researchers. UNITE! has a strong focus on engineering, sustainability, and digital transformation, contributing to the construction of the European Education and Research Area.

Educlima: Measuring the positive impact of actions taken to mitigate climate change. Climate education at and from the University
Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR) (Ref: AGAUR 2023 CLIMA 00081)
PI: Sílvia Alvareda (UIC)

Educlima is a project that positions higher education as a key actor in responding to the climate emergency. Its goal is to make the environmental and social impact of citizens' climate actions visible and measurable, moving beyond approaches focused solely on regulations or technology. The project develops innovative tools to inform educational, university, and public policies aimed at changing habits, reducing the carbon footprint, and developing global citizenship competencies. The results provide evidence to drive transformative climate education based on citizen science and the social return of climate action.