HIVA's core activity is research and the dissemination of research results. HIVA conducts research in an academic and policy-oriented manner into the problems affecting workers, the underpriviliged and risk groups, social organisations and movements in society. The research activities are grouped into ten major research themes. (more details under the next heading)

1) Education and lifelong learning

2) Labour market

3) Work and organisation

4) Welfare state

5) Housing

6) Poverty and social integration

7) Environmental policy and sustainable development

8) Development cooperation

9) Civil society and social economy

10) Migration

1) Education and lifelong learning: Since its inception, HIVA has regarded the subject of education and social inequality as one of the spearheads of its research agenda. This involves, on the one hand, analysing the position of the weakest groups within our education system and, on the other hand, policy-oriented and evaluation research in the wake of innovations in order to achieve a more democratic and effective form of education for these groups. In addition to primary and special education, attention is also devoted to (full-time and part-time) vocational training, the transition from education to the labour market, the move into higher education, participation in and the output of lifelong and life-wide learning. For more information about the completed and current projects of the group and contact details, please visit http://www.hiva.be/Onderzoeksgroep1_en.php .

2) Labour market: Within the ‘Labour market’ research group, an inter-disciplinary team conducts research into the following segments of the labour market field: underprivileged groups on the labour market, labour market regulation, labour market factors, flows and transitions on the labour market and globalisation on the labour market. For more information about the completed and current projects of the group and contact details, please visit http://www.hiva.be/Onderzoeksgroep2_en.php .

3) Work and organisation: The 'Work and organisation' group carries out research on the way in which work is organised in our economy. How do businesses, institutions and public administrations develop their labour organisation? What personnel policy do they pursue to put that organisation into practice? How can employees make their voices heard about the way in which their work and the personnel policy are organised? What problems and challenges does this produce for terms of employment, quality of work and labour relations? For more information about the completed and current projects of the group and contact details, please visit http://www.hiva.be/Onderzoeksgroep3_en.php .

4) Welfare state: The 'Welfare state' research group studies both the creation and social distribution of welfare, carrying out research at macro, meso and micro-level on the relationship between the economy and the welfare state, and the organisation of social security. The group combines solid knowledge of the welfare state with attention for its place within and impact on the economy. It is therefore also well positioned to feed the social debate on the reconcilability of economic development and social protection. For more information about the completed and current projects of the group and contact details, please visit http://www.hiva.be/Onderzoeksgroep4_en.php .

5) Housing: The ‘Housing’ research group conducts policy-oriented research into housing. The research topics closely reflect the objectives of Flemish housing policy, i.e. availability, affordability and the quality of housing, focusing in particular on those most in need of housing. ‘Housing’ is considered within its broad meaning. The subject of the research is not only the housing itself, but also the broad social, economic and spatial context within which housing is situated. For this reason, the research is usually multi-disciplinary. For more information about the completed and current projects of the group and contact details, please visit http://www.hiva.be/Onderzoeksgroep5_en.php .

6) Poverty and social integration: This research group studies poverty and social integration from various angles: psychological, sociological, education-theoretical and economic. Basic social rights are regarded in this context as the foundation of the policy to combat poverty. Action-oriented and participatory research supplements the traditional approach. At the same time, the link between social exclusion and social structures and processes is a key aspect. After all, the ultimate roots of poverty are found not among the poor themselves, but in the way in which society is organised, as a result of power relationships between social groups. In addition to research assignments, our team is also involved in expert assignments, supervision, coaching and training. For more information about the completed and current projects of the group and contact details, please visit http://www.hiva.be/Onderzoeksgroep6_en.php .

7) Environmental policy and sustainable development: The ‘Environmental policy and sustainable development’ research group has acquired extensive experience with policy-supportive research into environmental policy and sustainable development. Its most notable principals are Flemish, federal and provincial government administrations. Some of the themes running through the research topics include participation, public support, policy evaluation and institutionalisation. For more information about the completed and current projects of the group and contact details, please visit http://www.hiva.be/Onderzoeksgroep7_en.php .

8) Development cooperation: The ‘Development cooperation’ research group focuses on research and evaluation research relating to the development policy and actions of international institutions, governmental and non-governmental organisations and new civil organisations. Public support and participation are the transverse themes running through the following research fields: Multi-Level Governance (MLG) as a new paradigm, new civil organisations, the impact of development programmes, public support for international cooperation, the availability of health care in developing countries and food security. Much attention is devoted to the relevance of the research to the actors in development cooperation, as well as to the theoretical and methodological foundations. For more information about the completed and current projects of the group and contact details, please visit http://www.hiva.be/Onderzoeksgroep8_en.php .

9) Civil society and social economy: Our society encompasses a wide range of associations, social movements, non-governmental organisations, cooperatives, self-help groups, etc. Together, they are also known as the ‘social civil society’. The equivalent of this in the economic context is the ‘social economy’ – a third sector located between the market sector and the government sector. The ‘Civil society and social economy’ research group aims to support this social and socio-economic civil society through surveys, case studies, monitoring studies, training and process guidance. For more information about the completed and current projects of the group and contact details, please visit http://www.hiva.be/Onderzoeksgroep9_en.php.

10) Migration: The migration research concentrates on the sub-themes of international migration and migrants, with attention being given both to the causes and consequences of international migratory movements.This places the subject in an explicit North- South context and also creates interfaces with other topics, such as the debate on identity and citizenship.The theme is approached from the perspective of various policy domains: international cooperation, the labour market, social welfare, security, etc. In addition to the process, the people involved in the process are also studied, independent of their legal category: employment migrants, refugees, asylumseekers, people without lawful right of residence, etc. This research group seeks to achieve three objectives with these studies: improving knowledge of the dynamics of migration, the trends and migration patterns at national, European and global level; gaining a better insight into the relationship between policy and migration patterns at the various levels; and devising a better conceptual approach to international migration.The focus lies mainly, though not exclusively, on policy.

HIVA produces two types of output: scientific and policy-oriented output. The standard product of the scientific output are the research reports. In addition, HIVA researchers also produce books or chapters in books, publish articles in scientific journals, conference proceedings, papers, develop instruments, translate research into handbooks. Various staff members are member of the editorial staff of scientific journals. HIVA organises conferences on research themes and aims in general to translate research into training.

The policy-oriented output consists of articles in policy-oriented journals, papers presented in workshops and seminars, lectures for specific target groups. Various staff members are active members of work groups and steering committees.

More information about the publications can be found on the website http://www.hiva.be/publicaties_zoeken_en.php (search engine per subject and recent publications) You can also download or register for the newsletter in Dutch.

HIVA participates in international and European scientific networks (for example EWCO) and collaborates with RDCongo, Senegal, China, Peru and Canada. HIVA is also correspondent of the European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO). The Observatory is promoted by the EU and coordinated by the European Foundation for the Improvement of the Living and Working Conditions, located in Dublin.