Activity Report 2014-2015 (Extended English Summary)

UNIR commitment to research excellence is born of the conviction that scientific advances and the knowledge generation are the driving force of society. The practical application of research outcomes not only implies an improvement in social welfare but also, the expansion of knowledge of the entire university community, resulting in better training for the professionals of the future.

The Research and Technology Department at Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR) designs, implements and evaluates the university’s research strategies. UNIR Research encourages researchers and professors to contribute effectively to research activities at UNIR. It does this by participating in research groups in national and European research projects, as well as a wide range of calls and initiatives that are related to research and the technological aspect of the institution.

Research is a cornerstone of the UNIR academic community and it is crucial in understanding the university context. The vice chancellor for research and technology (UNIR Research, //research.unir.net) designs and implements the main strategic lines through accredited research groups, institutional chairs, public and own projects, and international agreements. It also has its own office for science communication and dissemination (UCC+i), accredited by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT).

UNIR Research integrates and directs research activities at UNIR in-line with the main academic fields of the university (educational technology, education, communication science and social sciences, amongst others).

The different research groups are organized according to the UNIR´s academic pillars – educational technology, education, communication, social sciences, social care, business, engineering, neuropsychology and law. These areas are reflected in the 16 research groups accredited so far.

1. Social Sciences
   • Research Group 1: “Culture, Religion and Human Rights (CRDH)” (Prof. Dr. Miguel Rodríguez Blanco)
2. Communication
   • Research Group 2: “Communication and Digital Society (COYSODI)” (Dr. Francisco Segado)
   • Research Group 3: “Institute for Press Innovation (InnovaPress)” (Dr. Obdulio Martín)
3. Economics and Business
   • Research Group 4: “Emotional Communication Strategies in Business Organisations (SCOEM)” (Dr. Jesús Perán López)
4. Education
   • Research Group 5: “Educational Vocation as Action (Educacción)” (Prof. Dr. José Antonio Ibáñez-Martín)
   • Research Group 7: “Personalized Education in the Digital Era (EPEDIG)” (Dr. José Fernando Calderero)
5. Technology
   • Research Group 6: “Technology-enhanced Learning and Social Networks (TELSOCK)” (Prof. Dr. Daniel Burgos)
6. Accessibility
   • Research Group 8: “Accessible Education in Diversity (EDADI)” (Dr. Juan Manuel García)
7. Social Care
   • Research Group 9: “Prospective Observatory in Social Policies and Social Intervention (OPPSIS)” (Dr. Manuel Herrera)

8. Psychology

• Research Group 11: Neuropsychology Applied to Education
  • Research Group 14: Applied Metacognition

Moreover, UNIR Research promotes research agreements with national and international institutions from all over the world, mostly from Spain, Europe and Latin America. UNIR Research also represents the university at international congresses, in international organisms and executive boards.

This Annual Report 2014-2015 aims to provide an overview of all of the activities carried out from December 2014 to December 2015 – a period of particular importance for the completion of the plan for the biennium 2013-2015 and the implementation of the PPI III (2015-2017)

Among the most important aspects that the report highlights are:

• The development of research activity in UNIR Research until now
• The full research landscape of the period
• Information on events and public projects in which UNIR Research participates
• The ongoing international network of partners with different agreements
• The main services offered by UNIR Research to researchers