Through the lens of science, we are creating innovations to encourage a new perspective on rural areas as central of ongoing economic and social changes.
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Reconceptualising the relationship between space and social groups
By creating a new theoretical framework that combines geography and sociology, we explore how social groups interact with space. These new indicators and methods will help us better understand Europe's evolving social geography at local, national, and European levels.
A new socio-economic typology of rural areas that accounts for social inequalities
Within a digital platform, our sociological typology of rural territories integrates social science theories and underexplored factors such as gender, lifestyle, employment, and well-being.
An innovative survey on demographic flows, social ties and perceptions
Our observational tool enables systematic, empirical data collection on rural perceptions, central to our conceptualisation of the relationship between social and physical space.
Collection of ethnographic fieldwork insights
Our comparative database, built on inductive and experimental methods, draws from extensive case studies across Europe and beyond allowing us to explore interconnected rural themes, refine generalisations, and examine the global relevance, sustainability, and variations of the European rural development model.
New econometric models
By combining methodological advances in economic modelling with original private data, we enable precise spatial analysis of household residential choices, their links to family, professional, and historical events, and the incorporation of sociological insights into econometric models.
A systematic approach to assess institutional capacities, governance and initiatives
Our database of rural initiatives, both bottom-up and top-down public policies, evaluates their impact on prosperity, resilience, and community strength. With a focus on farmers' ecological transitions and well-being, we provide context-specific solutions adaptable to similar rural areas.
Future scenarios and new initiatives to revitalise rurality
Our spatial projections for rural areas in Europe use past path reproduction, economic modelling, and foresight techniques, offering strategic roadmaps for future rural development and specialisation.