Action and passion for research and social transformation

The GRISIJ group focuses its research on generating applied knowledge to improve the effectiveness of socio-educational interventions aimed at children at risk. The objective is to identify the factors that contribute to preventing child abuse, promote family alternatives that avoid institutionalisation, and develop participatory methodologies that incorporate the voices of children and adolescents in the protection system.

Promoting positive parenting and marentality is a key challenge in strengthening families and guaranteeing children’s rights. Practising this in contexts of risk or social exclusion can be particularly complex, which is why children and families living in these situations need greater support. From a scientific perspective, the challenge is to identify and develop forms of social and educational innovation that promote this type of parenting among vulnerable groups, both in our society and in other international contexts, based on evidence that can positively transform their realities.

The promotion and prevention of mental health in childhood and youth within socio-educational action, as well as the reduction of social inequalities to achieve health equity, are priorities that require a decisive response. The scientific challenge taken on by GRISIJ is to generate knowledge from a biopsychosocial perspective on how to reduce mental health problems in children and young people, taking into account conceptions of mental health, interactions with the emotional state of the adults involved and the special educational needs they present; and, at the same time, how to reduce social inequalities in health by placing health education and inclusive education at the centre.

Gender mainstreaming is an operational principle that must be present in all public spaces, including universities, and therefore also in research. Incorporating an intersectional gender perspective into research and knowledge transfer activities is a matter of ethics and social justice. The scientific challenge taken on by GRISIJ is to explore how to systematically integrate the gender perspective as a fundamental principle within the framework of socio-educational research.