Dr Selene Caro, researcher at La Salle – Universitat Ramon Llull, has defended the first doctoral thesis co-supervised by La Salle’s university centres in Madrid and Barcelona. Developed within the framework of DivInTech, a transdisciplinary research project led by both campuses in collaboration with the network of educational centres of La Salle in Spain and Portugal (Arlep District), the thesis marks a new milestone in the development of the District University Project (PUD), which promotes collaboration between both centres and the construction of a shared university project.
Entitled ‘From interaction with robots to connection with people: opening socio-communicative pathways in ASD diversity’, the thesis analyses the potential of social robotics as a mediation tool in psychoeducational interventions aimed at students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Dr Xavier Canaleta and Dr Javier Herrero-Martín were the co-supervisors of the thesis, which examines how the integration of social robots in real educational contexts can support communication, attention and social interaction processes.
“Individually, we are a drop. Together, we are an ocean. This phrase sums up very well what this project has meant: a doctoral thesis that would not have been possible without the understanding and involvement of all the people and organisations that have been part of it. The schools of La Salle Distrito Arlep, families and students, together with the two university centres, have shared knowledge, experiences and efforts throughout this journey. When we all work together, research ceases to be just an academic outcome and becomes a tool for transformation,” explains Dr Caro.
At the same time, the thesis also represents an experience of collaboration between La Salle’s university centres in Spain. In the words of Dr Canaleta: “This thesis exemplifies a strong academic collaboration between La Salle - Universitat Ramon Llull and La Salle Campus Madrid, based on complementary expertise, coordinated work and a shared commitment to inclusion. The co-supervision has made it possible to integrate technological, educational and social perspectives in addressing ASD diversity. This experience opens up new avenues for cooperation in research, knowledge transfer and the development of joint projects with social impact in the coming years.” For his part, Dr Herrero-Martín adds: “One of our strengths, in line with the District’s motto for this academic year, building a more fraternal world, lies in making the most of the interdisciplinary intersection of perspectives between science and society, which the meeting between campuses makes possible, to strengthen our joint commitment to serving people. It is our vocation and our institutional mission”.
Dr Caro’s research is also an example of how to put technology at the service of society, in this case people with ASD, and of how research and knowledge transfer contribute to generating social impact.