Social Sciences play a central role in addressing the major global challenges of our time, providing invaluable knowledge and tools for the development of effective public policies. This is clearly reflected in the European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020), also known as Horizon 2020, which lays the foundations of a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth for Europe. Social Sciences represent an essential component of this strategy, not only contributing to the design of specific lines of action, but also becoming a key instrument for addressing the so-called "social challenges" – cross-cutting issues such as health and quality of life, food security, sustainable energy production systems and transport, or climate change mitigation. Social Sciences also play a leading role in the challenge of achieving inclusive, innovative and secure societies, an unwavering commitment of the European institutions which necessarily demands the involvement of social scientists.

The European Social Sciences Laboratory aims to contribute to the necessary knowledge base needed to face these challenges, carrying out social research with a strong international focus. The scientific activity of its members concentrates on the following lines of research:

- Sociology of Values and Social Quality

- Quantitative Methods in Economics and Social Sciences

- Human Rights in the global Society

- Territorial and Environmental Research