The Department of Studies on Language and Culture includes a vast array of disciplines and subjects ranging from European languages and cultures to anthropology, history, philosophy, linguistics, sociology, law and economics. The sociological area of research is based on interdisciplinary team work and systematic connections with institutions (public administrations, schools, healthcare services, non-profit organisations). It concerns facilitation and promotion of social participation; cultural and linguistic mediation; forms of intercultural communication, prevention of discrimination and prejudice; production and management of conflicts; gender relations. The sociological team is well-known on a national and international scale for research, projects of intervention and training regarding children and young people and their interactions with adults, in particular in educational settings.

The Department of Intercultural Studies and Business Communication, founded 1992, is well-known on a national and international scale for its innovative didactics, which integrate different pedagogical and technical tools to create intercultural learning experiences. A dense network of Institutions and Organisations extend around its products and ideas like the Intercultural Campus.

The Department of Children, Young People and Education, is committed to robust, innovative, applied research which has an impact. It specialises in creative research design and effective knowledge exchange, underpinned by the rigour of scholarship and the provision of high quality research and evaluation for statutory and non-statutory agencies located locally, nationally and internationally.

Drawing on the range of expertise, the Department adopts a transdisciplinary approach and works with national government, local authorities, charities and private sector companies. It offers substantial research experience, and a passion for designing robust, efficient solutions to develop exciting new research opportunities but to solving some tricky research problems also.