UDERVAL

The group works on the following lines of research: Social capital and territorial development: social networks, power elites and leadership in rural areas. In this line of research, the Social Media Analysis approach is used. This line of research is completed by the subject of crisis and resilience in local communities. Policies and strategies for local and territorial development in rural areas: socioeconomic transformation processes, new activities, actors in territorial management and territorial development policies. Business network and socio-productive systems in rural and intermediate areas: culture and business networks, innovation processes, social media and, generally speaking, factors that contribute to social and territorial capital and to the social and economic transformation processes. Public services in rural areas (education, health, social services, commercial activities, infrastructures, leisure, tourism and cultural facilities, etc.) as factors of demographic attraction, economic dynamization (incomes and labour market) and social cohesion. Vulnerabilities, social exclusion and (new) poverty in rural areas as a result of the crisis and the Welfare State withdrawal (reduction and/or disappearance of the social benefits, privatization and/or deregulation of public services, etc.). Social networks in the health field, with particular reference to rural areas.