Value change on beginning and end of life issues

Value change on beginning and end of life issues
Human Rights: Ethical, Social and Political Challenges
Edurne Bartolomé Peral
Deusto Valores Sociales is a research team in the Univeristy of Deusto, a research unit with large experience in Research and in training PhD candidates. This research team is located at the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences at the University of Deusto and focuses on the study of values and its implications for the society, vulnerable groups and welfare State and democratic governance
Background (Ma level) on any field of social sciences (Sociology, political science, international relations). Knowledge on research methods and more specifically quantitative data analysis.
  • Social Sciences and Humanities (SOC)
The Project is framed in the Europe-wide project of European Values Study, analyzing the evolutions and major shifts in individuals´ values in several domains, democratic governance, materialist-postmaterialist values, gender roles, religion, morality, work-related values, among others. People´s values, social reality, current trends of opinion and social behaviour can be explained according to socio-demographic characteristics and shifts in economy and (post)modernization. Effects of individual values and religious beliefs might differ across countries. We study how values and beliefs influence attitudes towards the beginning and end of life. This project has a double scope. 1) Studying the effects of modernization and current technological developments on value systems in comparative perspective by using the theoretical approach of Beginning and End of Life issues by addressing relevant personal value domains and sociodemographic characteristics. 2) Analyzing this phenomenon from relevant contextual factors (political, religious, welfare related) influencing attitudes. An existing research network has been working for this purpose with researchers from different European countries. Therefore, the general research objective is to deepen into the consequences that major technological improvements in medicine and science have in citizens´ values and how the rapidness of this improvements is fostering and matching value change on beginning and end of life aspects.

EXCELLENCE OF THE HOST RESEARCH UNIT

Bartolomé Peral, E. and Coromina, L. (2020). Attitudes towards life and death in Europe. Czech sociological review vol.56 (forthcoming).

Voicu, M. and Bartolomé, E. (2014): “Support for Democracy and Early Socialisation in a Non- Democratic Country: Does the Regime Matter?” in Democratization Vol. 21, No. 3, 554–573

Coromina L; Bartolomé E. (2016): “Trust in institutions: Stability of measurement model in Europe” in Voicu M., Mochmann I., Dülmer H. (eds) Values, Economic Crisis and Democracy. Routledge

Perez S. Bartolomé E. (2018): „MPs representing nationalist and regionalist parties” in Coller, X., Mota, F., Jaime, A. . Political Power in Spain: The multiple divides between MPs and citizens. . London. Palgrave McMillan

Coromina L. Bartolomé Peral E. (2020) Comparing alignment and multiple group CFA for analysing political trust in Europe during the crisis. Methodology 16 (1), 21-40
Edurne Bartolomé Peral is faculty member at the University of Deusto, department of International Relations and Humanities. Her main research interests are this study of political culture, values and political attitudes in comparative perspective. Moreover she works on political support and internpersonal and political trust. She has developed projects using experimental design on attitudes towards outgroups or attitudes towards tax evasion, topics on which she has developed most of her publications. She is since 2019 Program Director for Spain of of European Values Study and since 2020 chair of the EVS theory group, as well as member of the Spanish NEC of European Social Survey. She has collaborated also in several European funded projects. She is part of the Deusto valores sociales research team in the Univeristy of Deusto, a research unit with large experience in Research and in training PhD candidates.

INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION

The topic covers basic domains of sociology, political science, gender studies, public policy and philosophy. These topics are covered from different epistemological perspectives in the project and the researcher will be able to accomodate his/her research interest and research project within these disciplines
Once the specific topic is defined, opportunities for international co-direction will be identified and co-direction can be established with members of the international network.
Interdisciplinarity is in the core of our research unit and topics, combining perspectives from sociology, political science and public policy, social psychology and philosphy. In particular, value change and attitudes and values towards beginning and end of life issues need to be addressed from all these perspectives to achieve a complete understanding of the concepts. All these approaches are combined to the study of values and value orientations and its implications in numerous fields and aspects of our reality.

Aligned with the 2030 Agenda, the Horizon Europe missions and goals and the Basque Country Smart Specialisation Strategy, DEUSTO research blends competitiveness, innovation and technology to tackle challenges for communities, companies and public bodies in the region. Ageing and Wellbeing; Cultural and Creative Industries and Cities; Gender; Social Justice and Inclusion and Strengthening Participation are the focus of the 5 Interdisciplinary Research Platforms. Besides, advanced research units contribute to generate knowledge and innovative solutions in the fields of efficient and clean Energy, Industry 4.0 (advanced manufacturing, data analytics…), Health and Territory.
https://www.deusto.es/cs/Satellite/deustoresearch/es/inicio/plataformas-interdisciplinares-de-investigacion

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

The application is framed within the following H2020 topics.
PRIORITY ‘Societal challenges’
(f) Europe in a changing world – Inclusive, innovative and reflective societies;
With this priority we aim at understanding the value dimensions underlying European identity and how values are shaping attitudes and behaviours in Europe. Nowadays, a more inclusive and innovative society is key to overcome the threats and challenges in Europe, and the deep knowledge of values opens an important path to explain, predict and orientate attitudes and behaviours. Promoting gender equality in science and innovation is a commitment of the Union. In Horizon 2020, gender will be addressed as a cross-cutting issue in order to rectify imbalances between women and men, and to integrate a gender dimension in research and innovation programming and content.

This priority in any key research aiming at understanding society, and more particularly, to understand values and attitudes in all their domains. Gender perspective is very important to be addressed as it cuts across all value dimensions.
In addition to the H2020 priorities identified above, this proposal includes a very strong instrumental focus, with a strong methodological orientation based on the use and research on the advances in quantitative data analysis and survey methodology. This aim is aligned with the following principle presented in the priorities of H2020:
International co-direction is envisaged and encouraged, given our international perspective and our networks on value studies across Europe and the world. It will be specified once the research topic and its methodology are narrowed down in cooperation with international partners of t his project

INTERSECTORAL COLLABORATION

The impact of the results from European Values Study and particularly those aspects related in the research aims (see above), can be related to a numerous spheres, namely social, economic and political. In this sense, several research agreements are increasingly creating important knowledge-transfer ties, particularly with organizations from the third sector. Some of these organizations are Ikuspegi (Basque observatory of migration), European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN), Searen Sareak-Network of the social third sector in Basque Country. Innobasque, Local Government and municipalities. Moreover, the research project is a very positive and useful instrument for policy recommendations at both national and comparative level. Collaboration with specific research institutions in co-tutelle with members of the international network is also envisaged and will be developed and specified once the candidate´s research project is narrowed down.

Deusto Research works closely with more than 1250 organisations (public administration, business, non-profit organisations, education and training institutions, technology centres, etc.) in areas such as health, urban development, gender, social justice and inclusion, democratic participation, regional competitiveness and energy. Since 2014 DEUSTO has been involved in 89 international research projects and worked with more than 770 partner organisations. From data collection to the implementation and piloting phases, stakeholders have an active role throughout the research project life cycle.
https://www.deusto.es/cs/Satellite/deustoresearch/es/inicio/transferencia-3/colaboracion-con-agentes-externos

IMPACT

The impact of the results from European Values Study and particularly those aspects related in the research aims on Beginning and end-of-life issues (see above), can be related to a numerous spheres of public policy linked to gender, aging and healthcare. On the one hand, several research agreements are increasingly creating important knowledge-transfer ties, particularly with organizations from the third sector and policy consultancy which provide important insight on these debates. Moreover, this research topic opens the way for policy recommendations related with topics which are currently under intense discussion at the political sphere and tackle very relevant issues of human existence and the effect of science and technology in our lives and our value systesms

Deusto Research pursues societal impact that goes beyond academia focusing on the transformation of today’s society, leading to fairer and more diverse societies, where inclusive social development and welfare are enhanced.
https://www.deusto.es/cs/Satellite/deustoresearch/en/home/dissemination-and-transfer

Beyond the policy-based relevance, specialization on the multilevel data analysis and meta-analysis, alongside with the deep theoretical reflection and knowledge on value change in Europe create clear employment possibilities. It defines a very useful professional profile at the university/academic sphere, as well as in the political field. Another strong path for employability is related to the project management competences to be acquired during the development of this PhD Thesis. Competences, such as diagnostic analysis, interpretation of reality, systemic and relational vision as well as the capability to formulate and manage research proposals are strongly developed in this research project.

INNOVATION

This project is a very current one, responding to existing relevant debates in European societies at the social and political arena. Aging, the transformation of the labour market and career and its effects on gender and decisions on parenthood are imposing new scenarios and needs in relation with the beginnind and the end of life, and the debate between science and technology and its limitations when it comes to personal values is at the core of important discussions in Parliaments and Governments.
This project aims at analysing the extent to which our value systems are flexible or rigid towards important scientific and medical developments aiming at facilitating decisions linked to boundary situations in life. Methodologically, the project envisages data collection and survey design to tackle all these issues paying special attention to methodological problems such as nonattitudes or sensitivity. The use of research experiments will also provide good solution to issues such as social desirability bias.

DEUSTO research internationalisation strategy pursues innovation through the participation in international research and innovation initiatives (H2020 projects, Innovation Radar)
https://www.deusto.es/cs/Satellite/deustoresearch/en/home/transfer-of-knowledge-0/innovation-radar

INCLUSION

Inclusion is an underlying principle of the 6i Dirs project. The leadership vocation of the University of Deusto goes hand in hand with its aspiration to excellence and quality and a firm commitment to social justice and inclusion. The Interdisciplinary Platform on Social Justice and Inclusion articulates interdisciplinary collaborations and channel research efforts for contributing to social justice and more inclusive and fairer societies.
https://www.deusto.es/cs/Satellite/deustoresearch/es/inicio/plataformas-interdisciplinares-de-investigacion/deusto-social-justice-and-inclusion/the-platform
Deusto recognises gender equality as a key driver for sustainable development and inclusive growth across regions, and believes that equality of academic opportunity for women is key. The Interdisciplinary Research Platform on Gender is a dynamic vehicle that teams up experts from different areas of knowledge with the dual purpose of fostering collaboration and integrating existing expertise to address society’s emerging challenges on gender issues. (https://www.deusto.es/cs/Satellite/deustoresearch/es/inicio/plataformas-interdisciplinares-de-investigacion/deusto-gender/the-university-of-deusto)
Moreover, to seek real inclusion for people with specific support needs, the 6i Dirs project ensures equal rights and opportunities with respect to access to the programme and the acquisition of the skills expected to achieve the PhD and enhance their career development and future employability. All vacancies on the Euraxess EU portal bear the Science4refugee logo to encourage refugees to apply for them. Furthermore, DEUSTO is a partner of the Scholars At Risk Network (SAR), which offers safety to scholars facing grave threats.