WELCOME TO THE LIFE QUALITY RESEARCH CENTRE

About

WHAT WE DO

SUMMARY

The Life Quality Research Centre (LQRC-CIEQV) is a multidisciplinary R&D Unit focused on society’s challenges in the maintenance of high standards of quality of life across different age groups and social contexts in a sustainable manner. It is aligned with the priorities of the Agenda 2030, and it encompasses a comprehensive framework that includes social, economic, and environmental issues relevant to health and well-being (SDG 3), quality education (SDG 4), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), and gender equality (SDG 5).

LQRC-CIEQV’s mission is to promote life quality improvements across human beings by creating and transferring knowledge and innovative programs from applied and multidisciplinary research to society with a technological and sustainable focus, and innovative purpose.

Given the Centre’s multidisciplinary nature, it comprises five scientific areas of activity corresponding to five research thematic lines, namely:

(i)Education Science – Quality Education;
(ii)Social Science – Social Sustainability and Entrepreneurship;
(iii) Agricultural Science – Sustainable agri-food systems;
(iv) Sports Science – Physical Activity and Sports; and
(v) Health Science – Social Determinants and Health Indicators for Quality of Life.

The LQRC-CIEQV focuses on interdisciplinary research projects to address critical issues affecting human well-being, such as education, healthcare, nutrition, and socio-economic opportunities. Through this, the center aims to generate new technologies and solutions for societal benefit, fostering collaboration among researchers and supporting early career researchers. Additionally, partnerships with various sectors facilitate the application of research findings, while promoting inclusivity and diversity in research endeavors. Also, LQRC encourages excellence in research and innovation, monitoring their impact on society and scientific community.

ARTICLE

SUSTAINABILITY

Conceptual framework for the research on Quality of Life

reAuthors:

José Rodrigues, Carla Chicau Borrego, Paula Ruivo, Pedro Sobreiro, David Catela, José Amendoeira and Rui Matos

Abstract:

The article presents the reference framework for multidisciplinary research at the Life Quality Research Centre (LQRC). The research paradigm about the citizens’ quality of life in society imposes a multifaceted and complex analysis. At the LQRC we address this as thematically divided into six scientific areas: education and training; physical activity and healthy lifestyles; food production and technology on food behaviors; organizational dynamics; motor behavior; and individual and community health. These areas are clearly related to the concept of quality of life. They fit the goals and dynamics of the research centre. In each section, the authors develop the themes of research projects and the challenges that characterize research in the area of quality of life. It is clear that there is an agreement and understanding that ensures that quality of life research is on the agenda of the world organizations related to scientific research and human development. This is a real challenge for scientific research centres, since multidisciplinary paradigms are the foundation of our collective organization, and the evolution of research on quality of life could fulfil current needs and lead to the improvement of citizen lives.

External Advisory Board:

Beatriz Urbano López de Meneses

Universidad de Valladolid

Spain

Harry Daniels

University of Oxford

United Kingdom

Maria José Sousa

Instituto Universitário de Lisboa

Portugal

Marianne Pitkajarvi

Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

Finland

Antonio Hernández Mendo

University of Málaga

Spain

OUR

Objectives

Life Quality Research Center’s (LQRC-CIEQV) mission is to contribute to the improvement in the quality of life across human beings and contribute to the creation of knowledge and innovative programs, focusing on technological, sustainable, and innovative approaches. Accordingly, the following objectives are defined:

– Produce knowledge and innovation that promotes the improvement of human beings’ life quality in the LQRC scientific areas, with an emphasis on interdisciplinarity/multidisciplinary.
– Establish and strengthen partnerships across diverse geographic and cultural regions, with a focus on addressing the developmental and evolving needs of communities.
– Promote scientific production and dissemination.
– Promote the creation of LQRC scientific legacy through products, services, technologies, and patents.
– Promote internationalization and collaboration networks.
– Develop a doctoral program within the scope of Quality of Life, mobilizing the interdisciplinarity inherent to the scientific areas of LQRC.
– Support the training and development of young researchers, providing opportunities to participate in research projects, publications, and dissemination activities.
– Promote scientific and technological culture through citizen science initiatives, engaging citizens in research projects and outreach activities to democratize the scientific process.
– Prioritize open science principles to drive collaboration and innovation.
– Prioritize data privacy, adhering to GDPR and national laws.
– Promote gender equality and inclusiveness.

Institutional

OUR

Documents

Feel free to download our institutional documentation.

Institutional Partners

The Polytechnique Institute of Santarém (IPSantarém) is a public institution with several facilities and laboratories available for researchers to carry out their academic activities and projects. Specifically, the members at the LQRC-CIEQV can specially benefit from the existing facilities at the School of Sports Science, school of Agriculture, school of Management and Technology, and school of health. In this regard some the following laboratories can be highlighted: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Food Technology, Research in Sports, Sport Psychology, Pedagogy in Sports, and Fitness lab. The organizational activities, the management and valorisation of the produced knowledge is supported by the institutional structure of the IPSantarém, particularly, through the support of its project office, the financial management, and transfer centre. In total, eight employees with significant experience in research management, development, and innovation at the national and international level are responsible for the organizational structure of the LQRC.
The Polytechnique Institute of Leiria (IPLeiria) is a public institution with up-to-date facilities and equipment accessible to all members of the LQRC-CIEQV. In particular, researchers can benefit from the modern infrastructure at the school of Education and Social Sciences, school of Tourism and Sea Technology, and school of Health. In this regard, some the following laboratories can be highlighted, namely: Sensory Analysis, Biology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Food Technology, Mobilization and Mechanical Therapy, Electrotherapy, and Techniques adapted to the Disabled. Similar to the assistance provided by the IPSantarém towards the research conducted by the LQRC, the organizational activities, management, and dissemination of the produced knowledge is also supported by the institutional structure of the IPLeiria. The support is provided by the project office, the financial management, and the transfer and valorisation of knowledge centre. These services are composed by nine employees, with significant experience in the management of research and organizational structure support.
The Polytechnique Institute of Setúbal (IPS) is a higher education institution, presently comprising five Schools in the areas of Education, Technology, Business & Administration and Health Care. The institution has two campi: Setúbal campus, and Barreiro campus. With a diversified training offer in various areas, the IPS trains professionals of excellence and ensures high rates of employability, focusing on the quality of courses and teachers, a close connection with the business community and an internship program in the best companies. Regarding its R&D+i activity, IPS carries out research, applied research and experimental development activities in several areas, namely, Education, Business & Administration, Health Care, Technology cooperating in national and international funded projects. Also, the science management and valorisation of the innovation is supported by internal structure, particularly, through the support of the International Cooperation and Research Division (DICI). IPS became an European University, integrating the E³UDRES² project (Engaged European Entrepreneurial University as Driver for European Smart and Sustainable Regions), which includes five other higher education institutions (HEIs), namely from Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Latvia and Romania. This participation reinforces its commitment to education, innovation and research to address global social, environmental and economic challenges.
The Portalegre Polytechnic University  is a public higher education institution with several facilities and labs available for researchers to perform their academic and research activities and projects. Its four Schools (Health; Biosciences; Technologies, Management and Design; Education and Social Sciences) have available a wide set of structures, like studios (Autio, TV and Photography studios), a science lab, a pedagogical lab, Art rooms, Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratory, Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory, a Veterinary Service Center or an Oral Hygiene Clinic, where research activities could be develop integrated with the educational activities. It is also possible to highlight the existence of C.BIP, the Cultural and Creative Business Incubator, aiming to incubate companies, with a non-technological base, preferably related to the areas of arts and creative industries, in order to encourage and disseminate entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial spirit throughout the academic community and surrounding business fabric, supporting the development of innovative, cultural and creative business ideas, aiming for their successful implementation and implementation in the market.
The Polytechnic University of Beja  (IPBeja) is a Higher Education Institution (HEI) created in 1979 and its mission is the high-level qualification, the production and dissemination of knowledge, as well as the cultural, artistic, technological and scientific training of its students and trainees, in a lifelong aspect and in the international reference framework, guided by the values of excellence, sustainability, citizenship, entrepreneurship and creativity. Currently, IPBeja integrates four Organic Units, the School of Education, the School of Health, the School of Technology and Management, and the School of Agriculture, in addition to other Organic Units of Support for Training and Development, namely, the Knowledge Transfer Center and the Botanical Museum associated with the UNESCO Chair in Ethnobotany and Safeguarding of Heritage of Plant Origin.
As an HEI at the service of society, the Polytechnic University of Beja assumes as its main attributions the carrying out of research, experimentation and support and participation in scientific institutions; the transfer and valorization of scientific and technological knowledge; the implementation of professional training and knowledge updating actions; and the provision of services to the community and promotion of sustainable development. To this purpose, it has several facilities and laboratories to support academic and scientific projects, of national and international dimension, such as, the Observatory of the Dynamics of Aging in Alentejo, the Center for Studies in Social Work, the Rehabilitation Laboratory, the Laboratory of Art and Multimedia Communication, the Brincatorium, the Center for Languages and Cultures, and the Laboratory of Innovation in Regional Development and Entrepreneurship, this one in partnership with the Federal Institute of Santa Catarina, the University of Planalto Catarinense and the Orion Technological Park in Brazil. The Polytechnic University of Beja also integrates the European University with the Heroes Project – Higher Education for Resilience-Oriented and Empowered Societies, together with eight Higher Education Institutions from Germany, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Sweden, assuming the coordination of the workpackage “Joint Practice-Oriented Research Hub”.