The Social Observatory - la Caixa Foundation
A space for analysis, debate and reflection that aims to study current issues and the challenges facing society, as well as to spread knowledge of the social sciences.
What we do
”la Caixa” The Social Observatory of "la Caixa" Foundation is a space for analysis, debate and reflection that generates scientifically-based knowledge on social issues through its own studies and competitive calls.
With the aim of enriching public debate and stimulating critical thought, the Social Observatory communicates the knowledge generated through publications, interviews and cycles of activities held at the CaixaForum centres.
Social research calls
The Social Observatory supports research in social sciences through three types of competitive call: the Social Research Call, Flash Calls and the Connect Call.
Social Research Call
The annual Social Research Call for Spain and Portugal promotes high-quality knowledge in order to understand and identify the challenges facing our society through studies based on quantitative data. The call is open to social research projects of any kind and provides financial support of up to 100,000 euros, with a maximum duration of 24 months.
Flash Calls
The Flash Calls for Spain and Portugal support quantitative research projects based on surveys. These calls focus on promoting research projects related to current social issues that also aim to provide rapid results which are then passed on to society. The topics supported vary in each call and the maximum financial support for each project is €30,000.
Connect Call
The annual Connect Call is aimed at research carried out by mixed teams. The aim is to promote collaboration between academia, the third sector and public administration in order to collect data that will help address social challenges.
This call offers up €80,000 in funding for projects that last maximum 24 months and deal with issues related to emotional well-being and mental health.
Consult all the information related to the social research calls on the Social Observatory website.
TTULO SECCIN

Gender inequality in paid and unpaid work after the pandemic
Following the pandemic, 30 % of men and 33 % of women with children who are minors have been working from home at least one day a week. According to this study, this could favour greater equality in relation to family responsibilities.

What are working and living conditions like for artists and cultural workers?
Some 17.5 % of rural territory is exposed simultaneously to high rates of depopulation and of aridity. This study analyses how some factors for mitigating depopulation can have undesired effects, of both a social and an environmental nature.

Inequality and social contract
What is the extent of inequality in Spain? We present a compendium of 11 reports that tackle its determinant factors and the policies necessary for its reduction.

Call to support research projects on childhood and vulnerability
The Social Observatory launches a call to support research projects in social sciences that use data from quantitative surveys on factors of vulnerability in childhood in Spain. The call will be open from 15 March to 5 April.

Research and Innovation in Spain and Portugal
What are the factors that define a country’s research and innovation system? The eleventh Dossier from the Social Observatory of the ”la Caixa” Foundation analyses the case of Spain and Portugal in international comparison.

Social Polarisation, by Míriam Juan Torres
Míriam Juan Torres, researcher at the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley and senior advisor at More in Common, tells us all about so-called 'social polarisation' and why it exists.
Documents of interest
The Social Observatory 2022
We generate and communicate knowledge in social sciences.