On 2 June, the research team led by Dr. Susana Sanz took part in the 3rd “Knowledge Creators” Research and Science Communication Fair, organised by CEU Cardenal Herrera University (CEU UCH) to bring research activity closer to secondary school, high school, and university students.
Held in the University’s Main Hall, the event brought together CEU UCH research groups from a wide range of fields, including health sciences, veterinary medicine, social sciences, law, and communication studies. The aim was to showcase how academic research is conducted and to inspire scientific vocations among younger generations.
Through an information stand, the team presented the main research areas of the project devoted to studying the crisis of the rule of law and democratic resilience in the face of hybrid threats. Visitors had the opportunity to learn first-hand about some of the core issues addressed by the group, including the key dimensions used to assess the quality of the rule of law across European Union Member States, current challenges such as the impact of disinformation on democratic systems, and the threats that hybrid attacks pose to democratic institutions.
The research team also engaged with visitors in discussions about the mechanisms that can strengthen the capacity of contemporary democracies to respond effectively to these challenges.
Among the materials on display were several collective publications produced within the framework of the project, as well as recent scientific articles authored by its researchers. The team also presented a dynamic database developed within the project that analyses the presence and evolution of key rule-of-law-related concepts in the Spanish press.
This tool attracted considerable interest among attendees due both to its innovative nature and its ability to visualise and measure complex phenomena linked to public debate and democratic quality. It also demonstrated how data-analysis methodologies can be applied to the fields of social sciences and law, contributing to a deeper understanding of the challenges facing contemporary democracies.
One of the most notable aspects of the event was the strong interest shown in issues related to democracy, the rule of law, and the ability of institutions to respond to contemporary challenges. Conversations with attendees revealed that these concerns transcend academic disciplines and areas of expertise, as they directly affect all citizens and the functioning of democratic societies.
Representing the project at the event were Susana Sanz, Leopoldo García, Nuria Hernández, Almudena Del Castillo, and Carmen García.
Prior to the exhibition of the information stands, the event featured a roundtable discussion in which several senior researchers from the University, each leading research groups in different disciplines, presented their main lines of work and shared their research experience. These interventions sought to bring scientific activity closer to students and the general public by encouraging direct dialogue with researchers and presenting research as an accessible and relatable endeavour.
The discussion series was moderated by Santiago García Cremades, science communicator, mathematician, and university lecturer, who opened the event with an engaging talk on the opportunities and challenges that artificial intelligence presents for research.
This was followed by a panel discussion featuring Alicia López Castellano, Vice-Rector for Research and Knowledge Transfer at CEU UCH; María José Rico, Director-General of the Valencian Institute of Social Services (IVASS) of the Valencian Regional Government; and several University researchers. Among the speakers was Dr. Susana Sanz, Principal Investigator of the project on the crisis of the rule of law and democratic resilience in the face of hybrid threats, who presented some of the key research lines developed by her team.
During her intervention, Dr. Sanz not only outlined the group’s main research activities but also shared her day-to-day experience as a researcher and explained how legal research is conducted, a discipline whose scientific and empirical nature is often less visible to the public than that of other fields of knowledge.
She also highlighted the commitment of her research agenda to the protection and promotion of human rights at the international, European, and national levels, with the aim of contributing to stronger institutions and more effective democratic safeguards. Drawing on this research background, Dr. Sanz explained how her interest in human rights protection led her to the study of the rule of law, an issue that has gained increasing relevance in recent years due to the challenges confronting contemporary democracies.
She further emphasised the importance of knowledge transfer and dialogue with public institutions, highlighting the development of public policy proposals as one of the main mechanisms through which research findings can inform decision-making processes. She also referred to other dissemination activities carried out by the team, including the organisation of specialised conferences and the publication of scientific research outputs.
In closing, Dr. Sanz addressed the students with a message of confidence and perseverance, encouraging them to trust in their abilities, remain resilient in the face of challenges, overcome self-doubt, and view setbacks as opportunities for learning and personal and professional growth.
