UCAM
Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia
Campus de Murcia, Av. de los Jeronimos, 135,
Guadalupe 30107 (Murcia) - España
Tlf: (+34) 968 27 88 00
info@ucam.edu
Lines
of Research
Knowledge in the service of people and the planet: law, health, environment and innovation.
Social Innovation
Meseguer Sánchez, J. Víctor
From a non-utilitarian perspective of Social Innovation (SI), we focus on innovations driven by Social Economy entities and social enterprises, based on the analytical framework of the CRISES Institute (Centre de recherche sur les innovations sociales) in Quebec. Key elements of its definition of SI are expanded, delving into the three indicators that characterize these processes: governance, co-construction, and plural economy.
Our line of research, composed of experts from various disciplines (anthropology, geography, history, mathematics, philosophy, economics, political science, sociology, management, environment, and social work), analyzes the impact of social innovation on social and environmental justice through the following axes:
- Axis 1: Social innovations and transformations in policies and social practices.
- Axis 2: Social innovations and transformations in territories and living environments.
- Axis 3: Social innovations and transformations in social and collective organizations.
- Axis 4: Social innovations and transformations in work and employment.
Research and conservation of natural resources
Martínez Alcalá, Isabel María
We explore the presence of pharmaceutical residues, bacteria, and antibiotic resistance genes in reclaimed water and their impact on irrigated crops.
We analyze the ecotoxicological risks of emerging contaminants—such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and other substances—in aquatic ecosystems.
We develop sustainable solutions, such as artificial wetlands and biofilter systems, to remove contaminants from wastewater. We harness the properties of plants and microorganisms to achieve efficient purification, offering ecological alternatives to traditional treatments.
We apply plant technologies, such as phytoremediation, to decontaminate soils affected by heavy metals and metalloids, promoting the regeneration of degraded soils while contributing to ecosystem restoration and the sustainable use of agricultural land.
ESG Impact Measurement and Sustainability Public Policies
Meseguer Sánchez, J. Víctor
Applied research for the preparation of Sustainability Reports, which from 2024 onward must use the new European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) as a binding framework for their preparation and presentation, pursuant to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
The ESRS require disclosing relevant information on impacts, risks, and opportunities—as well as metrics and targets—related to environmental, social, and governance sustainability, identified through a double materiality assessment.
Sustainability Law
Durán Sánchez, José Luis
The legal approach to sustainability within the GAIA group focuses on analyzing the regulatory framework governing the social, environmental, and economic transformations linked to our research areas. This work encompasses the study of public policies and their legislative implementation, with special attention to their impact on the corporate sector and strategically regulated industries.
Key topics addressed include environmental law, administrative and labor law, sustainability governance, emerging social rights, and environmental justice, incorporating a cross-cutting and interdisciplinary perspective. Furthermore, legal instruments enabling the application of ESG criteria, the promotion of the circular economy, and the guarantee of social inclusion within a constantly evolving regulatory context are examined.
This research line aims to provide applied knowledge to strengthen the legislative and regulatory frameworks that enable a fair and effective ecological and social transition.
Healthcare Well-being and Innovation: Leadership and Decision-Making
García Hernández, Fernando Rubén
Within the GAIA group, research is conducted on how leadership and decision-making influence the improvement of well-being and innovation in healthcare and social care environments. Organizational models, technologies applied to care, and strategies to address complex situations are analyzed from an ethical, emotional, and person-centered perspective. The goal is to contribute to more humane, efficient, and sustainable care systems.
