RESEARCHERS from Glasgow are part of a major €2.5m European research project analysing the impact of the international economic crisis

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) experts are looking at who is most affected by socio-economic policy, such as immigrants, the unemployed or disabled.

TransSOL (European paths to transnational solidarity at times of crisis) is a research project spanning the UK, Denmark, Poland, Germany, France, Switzerland, Greece and Italy, funded by the new €80bn Horizon 2020 research and innovation framework programme.

The UK team comprises GCU researchers Dr Simone Baglioni, Reader in Politics, Dr Olga Biosca, Lecturer in Social Business and Microfinance and Michael Roy, Lecturer in Social Business, based within the University's Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health.

The three-year project will look at the effects of the financial and economic crisis on national indifference, populism, xenophobia and other societal challenges.

Dr Baglioni said: "This research will provide evidence about the interplay between public discourses, policies and citizens' attitudes and behaviours towards groups in need such as disabled, unemployed and immigrants.

"By pointing to innovative practices of transnational solidarity this project will contribute to a more evidence-based, mature and inspired policy making."

Led by the University of Siegen, the project will address the impact of Europe's cultural diversity and multiple identities on European solidarity by analysing public claims and debates within the media.

The objective for TransSOL is to pinpoint civil forms of solidarity to help contribute to support the European integration process towards a more resilient and sustainable European society.

TransSOL will address the question of solidarity from a public policy perspective through taking into consideration two specific dimensions: on the one hand the policy measures which have contributed to 'undermining' solidarity; and, on the other hand, potential solutions, citizens' support and the public debates about such solutions.