The research group DHIGECS (from the catalan Didàctica de la Història, la Geografia, i altres ciències socials) has earned a name for itself by coordinating and leading numerous projects in the areas of Education in the social sciences, through continuous grants from the Department of Education as well as other entities. DHIGECS’ recent ventures include research projects on the creation of multimedia material for use with secondary students, an international interdisciplinary evaluation of high school students’ knowledge of Europe, and a study of the conceptions and expectations that Spanish high school students have of Europe as well as their role in Europe and conceptions of Europeans from other countries. One recent project has included collaboration with researchers from the Humboldt University of Berlin, the University of London, and Ghent University on the general performance of European educational systems.
DHIGECS research is based on a) methodology and evaluation of learning, b) teacher training, c) the creation of innovative teaching materials and resources, including the application of ICT in the classroom, and d) scientific dissemination on questions of educational research methodology. DHIGECS consists of researchers, professors and high school teachers from seven different countries.
The group's headquarters are located on the Mundet campus of the University of Barcelona. Founded in 1450, The University of Barcelona is ranked within the top highest public universities in Spain, in terms of both quality teaching and the productivity and quality of the research carried out by its members. It is the only Spanish university to appear on the 2009 Times Higher Education ranking of the world’s top universities.