Innovative Research Award

Mihaela Vancea, Assistant Professor in the Department of Methods of Research and Diagnosis in Education at the Universitat de Barcelona, has established an interdisciplinary research profile connecting education, sustainability, social inclusion, interculturalism, and social transformation. Her academic work combines competitive research leadership, international collaboration, knowledge transfer, and educational innovation, contributing to contemporary debates on sustainable development and higher education reform.[1][2]

Abstract

This article summarizes the academic profile and scholarly contributions of Mihaela Vancea in the fields of educational research, sustainability, social inclusion, and intercultural education. Her work integrates social science perspectives with educational transformation, emphasizing sustainability competencies, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), youth participation, and societal wellbeing. Through research leadership, international collaboration, and knowledge-transfer initiatives, her scholarship demonstrates sustained engagement with contemporary educational and social challenges.[1][2]

Keywords

Education; Social Inclusion; Interculturalism; Sustainability; Sustainable Development Goals; Higher Education; Ecosocial Education; Youth Participation; Educational Transformation; Social Research.

Introduction

Since 2022, Mihaela Vancea has served as Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Education, Universitat de Barcelona. Her academic trajectory includes appointments across several Spanish universities and international experience in Chile. The evolution of her research demonstrates continuity from social and political sciences toward educational sustainability, social transformation, and inclusive development.[1]

Research Profile

Vancea holds a PhD in Political and Social Sciences from Universitat Pompeu Fabra and possesses advanced training in sociology, community development, and social research. Her expertise includes education for sustainability, SDGs integration, sustainability competences, social inclusion, youth transitions, unemployment, intercultural education, and sustainability transitions. International collaborative projects and interdisciplinary networks have played a central role in shaping her research agenda.[1]

Research Contributions

• Principal Researcher of ecosocial education projects at the University of Barcelona.
• Scientific Coordinator of the European Union H2020 IN-HABIT project.
• Principal Investigator of the CUPESSE project team focused on youth unemployment and self-sufficiency.
• Leadership in research addressing sustainability, wellbeing, participation, and educational transformation.
• Knowledge-transfer activities through open databases and educational communities.

Publications

Among her most influential publications are studies on renewable energy communities, youth health inequalities, and school-to-work transitions. These works have contributed to discussions on sustainability, employment, and social wellbeing across international academic communities.[3][4][5]

• Community energy and social entrepreneurship: Addressing purpose, organisation and embeddedness of renewable energy projects (2017).
• How unemployment and precarious employment affect the health of young people (2017).
• School-to-work transition: The case of Spanish NEETs (2018).
• Recent publications on sustainability competencies and higher education transformation.

Research Impact

The societal relevance of Vancea’s work is reflected in its focus on sustainability transitions, climate-related educational challenges, urban wellbeing, youth participation, and social inclusion. Her involvement in European projects has supported policy-relevant research, while open-access knowledge resources and collaborative networks have enhanced dissemination and public engagement. Citation metrics and international publication activity indicate measurable scholarly visibility within her fields of specialization.[1][2]

Award Suitability

The profile demonstrates characteristics commonly associated with academic recognition, including research leadership, international collaboration, interdisciplinary scholarship, externally funded projects, educational innovation, and societal engagement. Her sustained contributions to sustainability education and social inclusion align with the objectives of awards recognizing impactful educational research and transformative academic practice.[1]

Conclusion

Mihaela Vancea represents an interdisciplinary researcher whose academic work bridges education, sustainability, and social transformation. Through leadership of competitive projects, scholarly publications, international collaboration, and knowledge-transfer activities, she has contributed to advancing educational research and sustainability-oriented higher education. Her profile reflects an established and internationally connected research trajectory with demonstrated societal relevance.[1][2]

External Links

• Scopus Author Profile
• ORCID Profile
• Google Scholar Profile
• Web of Science Profile
• Web of Science Profile
• Top Teachers Awards

References

1. Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Mihaela Vancea, Author ID 50061984500. Scopus. https://www.scopus.com/pages/authors/50061984500
2. Google Scholar. (n.d.). Mihaela Vancea citation profile. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=iKOOAkwAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra
3. Becker, S., Kunze, C., & Vancea, M. (2017). Community energy and social entrepreneurship: Addressing purpose, organisation and embeddedness of renewable energy projects. Journal of Cleaner Production. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.01.048
4. Vancea, M., & Utzet, M. (2017). How unemployment and precarious employment affect the health of young people. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1177/1403494816679555
5. Vancea, M., & Utzet, M. (2018). School-to-work transition: The case of Spanish NEETs. Journal of Youth Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2017.1421313