From AI to social change: the Grants that drive research forward at Luiss
The main areas of research at Luiss
The competitive projects awarded to Luiss for the two-year period 2025–2026 outline some of the main research directions pursued by the University at the national and European levels. From ERC and Horizon Europe funding to national projects supported by the FIS – Italian Science Fund, research is emerging that addresses scientific and societal challenges of international significance, contributing to public debate and advancing knowledge.
Social change, institutions, and welfare
One of the main research focuses at Luiss is the study of the social and institutional transformations taking place in contemporary Europe.
This perspective encompasses the FIS Advanced POLISMOD project, which focuses on the role of religious moderation in European democratic contexts; the FIS Starting MAEDINA project, which analyses the relationship between media, emotions, and the consumption of news on immigration; and the European WELFAIR project, which aims to develop new tools for analysing intergenerational equity and changes in welfare systems.
These themes are also linked to previous ERC projects focusing on the historical origins of economic and social inequalities (ROOTS), which help strengthen a line of research that intertwines institutions, society, and human development.
Artificial intelligence, innovation, and sustainable transition
Another strategic focus is on artificial intelligence, data, and the governance of emerging technologies.
This is reflected in the FIS Starting COLLAGE project, which proposes a new paradigm for developing sustainable and decentralised artificial intelligence systems, and the ERC Starting Grant DynamicInfoAsym, which studies the role of information, algorithms, and regulation in markets characterised by information asymmetries.
This line of research is part of a broader research trajectory that also includes the ERC Advanced Grant AI-COMP, which focuses on the effects of algorithms on digital markets and competitive dynamics. It is further supported by the latest national projects dedicated to the use of artificial intelligence in public decision-making processes and the development of advanced digital ecosystems.
Alongside these topics, there are new lines of research focusing on the climate transition and the role of businesses in a sustainable economy. Indeed, the ERC Starting Grant CLIMATE-edGE explores the conditions that enable companies to turn their climate commitments into tangible, measurable actions, thereby contributing to a better understanding of the dynamics behind the green transition.
Research that contributes to the international debate
Taken together, these projects represent more than just a significant achievement in terms of scientific competitiveness. They demonstrate the ability of Luiss research to contribute to the international debate on some of today’s key challenges, consolidating the University’s role as an authoritative voice in the fields of technological innovation, social transformation, and sustainable development policies.
