BrainMap

Mrs. Elena-Loreni Baciu

Phd

Associate Professor - UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA

Other affiliations

President - INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARE PENTRU DEZVOLTARE SOCIALA SI INOVARE - ICED (Romania)

Member of the Research Committee - COLEGIUL NATIONAL AL ASISTENTILOR SOCIALI DIN ROMANIA (Romania)

Researcher | Teaching staff | PhD supervisor

Elena-Loreni Baciu works as an Associate Professor at the Department of Social Work within the Faculty of Sociology and Psychology at West University of Timisoara. She has a PhD in Sociology since 2010. In 2017, she gained her Habilitation in Sociology and in 2018 she joined the Doctoral School in Sociology, at WUT. Her main research interests are focused on social and economic inclusion of disadvantaged groups and development of institutional arrangements for advancing progress in this area.

Web of Science ResearcherID: G-4733-2016

Expertise & keywords

UNITA 2.0 Call name:
101124853 — UNITA — ERASMUS-EDU-2023- EUR-UNIV 2023 - 2027

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA (); Universidade da Beira Interior (); Instituto Politécnico da Guarda (); Universidad Pública de Navarra (); Universidad de Zaragoza (); Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour (); Université Savoie Mont Blanc (); Università di Torino (); Università degli Studi di Brescia (); UNIVERSITATEA TRANSILVANIA BRASOV ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Project website: https://univ-unita.eu/Sites/

Abstract:

The project aims to consolidate the UNITA alliance, by attracting new partners in the consortium and expanding the activities meant to enhance collaboration between European universities.

Through its long-term strategy and its mission, UNITA's main objectives are to create a participatory, open, inclusive and efficient European university.

This mission will be achieved by: developing a research-based and student-centered education of excellence, creating a learning environment that inspires them, promoting linguistic diversity in Europe by using the method of intercomprehension in communication, supporting non-central regions/ mountains through innovation in research, increasing the number and quality of physical and virtual mobilities for the entire community (including through initiatives such as "rural Erasmus" and "green mobilities"), as well as the contribution to strengthening European identity, citizenship and values.

When Scars (!) Become Art Call name:
2023-1-DE04-KA220-YOU-000166967 2023 - 2026

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: Amaro Foro - Transkulturelle Jugendselbstorganisation Von Roma und Nicht-Roma- E. V.

Project partners: Amaro Foro - Transkulturelle Jugendselbstorganisation Von Roma und Nicht-Roma- E. V. (); KARGENC ÇEVRE SPOR KULÜBÜ (); ASOCIAŢIA NEVO PARUDIMOS (); UNITED SOCIETIES OF BALKANS (); ZDRUZENJE REGIONALNA ROMSKA OBRAZOVNA MLADINSKA ASOCIJACIJA KRATOVO (); EDIT CENTAR (); UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Project website:

Abstract:

The project aims:

To analyze the interrelationship and impact of inclusion and mental wellbeing in young Roma and migrants by conducting a

12months qualitative and quantitative data analysis through 100 young people, 15 NGOs and 5 mental health centers in 6

partner countries.

To develop 2 innovative Tools for 30 youth workers to use in their work with young Roma and refugees by 2025

To train 30 YW and upgrade their knowledge and skills topic of mental well-being by using the developed innovative tools

and methods

UNITA- Universitas Montium Call name:
2020 - 2023

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA (); Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour (); Université Savoie Mont Blanc (); Universidade da Beira Interior (); Universidad de Zaragoza (); Università di Torino ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Project website: https://univ-unita.eu/Sites/

Abstract:

The project consisted in a development of an alliance of 6 European universities, who jointly obtained the following results:

A participative governance and effective management structures

A UNITA Quality Assurance policy and assessment tools

The cartography of courses in the three main thematic areas (Cultural heritage, Circular Economy, Renewable energies) and the corresponding Research & Innovation Hubs

A microcredential framework and pilot courses with digital badges

The active use of multilingualism through the inter-comprehension methodology

New forms of mobility for instance in the rural and mountain areas

An initial framework model for the digital campus

A space of reflection on European citizenship and identity

A model of global outreach for European universities based on Romance languages through the GEMINAE initiative.

National census of the workforce in the Romanian social service system (national study) Call name:
2021 - 2023

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: COLEGIUL NATIONAL AL ASISTENTILOR SOCIALI DIN ROMANIA

Project partners: COLEGIUL NATIONAL AL ASISTENTILOR SOCIALI DIN ROMANIA (); REPREZENTANTA UNICEF ()

Affiliation: COLEGIUL NATIONAL AL ASISTENTILOR SOCIALI DIN ROMANIA ()

Project website: https://cnasr.ro/blog/post/raport-recensamantul-fortei-de-munca-din-serviciile-sociale-din-romania

Abstract:

The National College of Social Workers in Romania (CNASR), with the support of UNICEF and through Metro Media Transilvania, carried out a census-type research among social service workers in Romania. The study sought to satisfy several needs focused on the imperative of identifying and quantifying the human resources available in the field of social intervention to support vulnerable categories of the population, the general purpose being to objectively evaluate the number and type of professionals needed and available, the surplus and deficit by professional category and administrative units, the need for human resources in the short, medium and long term. In other words, the main objective of the approach was to assess, in terms of coverage and distribution, the labor force in the social field.

Quality of academic life of FSP (Faculty of Sociology and Psychology) students (local study) Call name:
2023 - 2023

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Project website:

Abstract:

Objectives:

1. Bottom-up analysis of factors contributing to the quality of academic life of FSP students (stressors and support factors)

2. Reducing dropout among FSP students

Invest in your education! Prevention of university studies dropout through integrated support services Call name:
46/SGU/NC/1/23.11.2017 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Project website:

Abstract:

The project aims at designing and implementing a model of integrated support services, aimed at early detection of university dropout risk in order to reduce it.

Labor market insertion - the vector of tertiary education Call name:
POCU 2014-2020 CODE 121221 2019 - 2021

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA "ŞTEFAN CEL MARE" DIN SUCEAVA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA "ŞTEFAN CEL MARE" DIN SUCEAVA (); UNIVERSITATEA "VASILE ALECSANDRI" DIN BACĂU ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA "ŞTEFAN CEL MARE" DIN SUCEAVA ()

Project website: http://vit.usv.ro/media.html

Abstract:

Common Spaces for Integration of Roma – CoSpIRom Call name:
REC-RDIS-DISC-AG-2017-809859 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Panepistimio Thessalias

Project partners: Panepistimio Thessalias (); UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA (); Universita di Pisa ()

Affiliation: Panepistimio Thessalias ()

Project website: http://cospirom.sed.uth.gr/

Abstract:

The project aims at:

- Promoting common spaces as effective tool for fighting discrimination.

- Challenging the symbolic boundaries between Roma and non-Roma groups.

- Empowering personal and collective identities of Roma people for acquiring skills to claim their rights as citizens.

- Contributing to the improvement of national Roma Integration (and EU) strategies.

- Documenting the particularities, exchange of practices among the partners, and developing applicable tools for use by EU on similar issues.

Start up, stand up! Call name:
POCU/82/3/7/104013 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: FUNDATIA SERVICIILOR SOCIALE BETHANY

Project partners: FUNDATIA SERVICIILOR SOCIALE BETHANY ()

Affiliation: FUNDATIA SERVICIILOR SOCIALE BETHANY ()

Project website:

Abstract:

The project promotes entrepreneurial initiatives in the Western Region of Romania, by supporting nascent entrepreneurs in designing, planning, managing and funding their newly established firms.

A new life for young offenders Call name:
ROM/2016/52 2016 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Project website:

Abstract:

The purpose of the project was to ensure a transfer of expertise between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, in order to train specialists oriented towards providing services with increased effectiveness in the penitentiary system and increasing the social inclusion of young prisoners, by providing integrated training programs.

The project consisted of three cycles of intervention (counseling, training, social mediation) developed for the beneficiaries and focused on the process of reintegration into society of young prisoners, starting from their individual needs.

Romanian-Norwegian Research Network in Social Sciences Call name:
19BIL/2017 2017 - 2017

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA (); NORD University ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Project website:

Abstract:

The main objective of the project aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the team members from the two partner universities (West University of Timisoara, Romania, and University of North Norway), improving cooperation in research and stimulating long-term cooperation.

The Project activities consisted of a work meeting lasting six days, which was held in Timisoara and hosted by the West University of Timisoara. The participants were 5 researchers from the University of West Timisoara and 3 researchers from the Nord University Norway. A special section of the meeting was dedicated to a two-day workshop with 20 relevant local institutional actors (representatives of: social services within municipalities in the county of Timis, school units, local employment services, health care services, etc.). The goal of this workshop was to collect proposals and suggestions from institutions and organizations providing services for vulnerable categories, on relevant research issues, for their inclusion in the action plan of the research network.

Integrated, Active, Independent! Facilitating the labor market integration of vulnerable groups in Timis county Call name:
POSDRU/115/6.2/G/123561 2013 - 2015

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: DIRECTIA GENERALA DE ASISTENTA SOCIALA SI PROTECTIA COPILULUI TIMIS

Project partners: DIRECTIA GENERALA DE ASISTENTA SOCIALA SI PROTECTIA COPILULUI TIMIS (); INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARE PENTRU DEZVOLTARE SOCIALA SI INOVARE - ICED ()

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARE PENTRU DEZVOLTARE SOCIALA SI INOVARE - ICED ()

Project website:

Abstract:

The general objective of the project aimed to facilitate access to training and the integration/reintegration of vulnerable people on the labor market (especially those from rural or isolated communities), in order to avoid social exclusion, marginalization and discrimination, by implementing active measures to ensure equal chances in the integration on the labor market, through employment opportunities, support and accompaniment services and the awareness of the actors on the labor market and the community regarding the skills, rights and social benefits of the participation of vulnerable people on the labor market.

The intervention activities were based on the analysis of the needs of the beneficiaries, carried out with scientific methods, by a team of researchers from the Research Institute for Social Development and Innovation-ICED.

Participation on the labour market of vulnerable groups in Timis county Call name:
POSDRU/115/6.2/G/123621 2013 - 2015

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: DIRECTIA GENERALA DE ASISTENTA SOCIALA SI PROTECTIA COPILULUI TIMIS

Project partners: DIRECTIA GENERALA DE ASISTENTA SOCIALA SI PROTECTIA COPILULUI TIMIS (); INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARE PENTRU DEZVOLTARE SOCIALA SI INOVARE - ICED ()

Affiliation: DIRECTIA GENERALA DE ASISTENTA SOCIALA SI PROTECTIA COPILULUI TIMIS ()

Project website:

Abstract:

The purpose of the project was to facilitate the access to the labor market of vulnerable groups in Timis county, especially from rural and/or isolated communities, by providing an integrated service program, intended for their education and training, as well as promoting employment opportunities.

The intervention activities were based on the analysis of the beneficiaries' needs, carried out with scientific methods, by a team of researchers from the Research Institute for Social Development and Innovation-ICED.

Development of university study programs and extension of learning opportunities for students Call name:
POSDRU 156/1.2/G/133630 2014 - 2015

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA "ŞTEFAN CEL MARE" DIN SUCEAVA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA "ŞTEFAN CEL MARE" DIN SUCEAVA (); UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Project website:

Abstract:

The project aimed at developing learning opportunities for students from vulnerable categories and enhancing the connection between university study programs and the current needs of the labour market.

The graduates' skills and employers' needs Call name:
POSDRU 18/1.2/G/28335 2010 - 2013

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA ()

Project website:

Abstract:

The project aimed at assessing the compatibility between the labour market needs and outputs of the university programs, in terms of graduates' skills.

Romanian-Serbian-Hungarian Experince Exchanges in Employment for Young People Call name:
PROGRESS VP/2010/005 budget line 04-04-01-01 2011 - 2012

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: FUNDATIA SERVICIILOR SOCIALE BETHANY

Project partners: FUNDATIA SERVICIILOR SOCIALE BETHANY (); NVO Duga (); Volt Allamigondozottak Orszagos Egyesulete ()

Affiliation: FUNDATIA SERVICIILOR SOCIALE BETHANY ()

Project website:

Abstract:

The project involved organizations from 3 countries (Romania, Serbia and Hungary) in an experience exchange program on policies and interventions addressed at increasing employment for young people. Representatives of 60 institutional actors from the three countries were involved in a training/experience exchange program that lasted one year.

Equality throughout difference. The access of Roma women on the labour market Call name:
1996 2009 - 2011

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: ASOCIATIA FEMEILOR ROME "PENTRU COPIII NOSTRI"

Project partners: ASOCIATIA FEMEILOR ROME "PENTRU COPIII NOSTRI" ()

Affiliation: ASOCIATIA FEMEILOR ROME "PENTRU COPIII NOSTRI" ()

Project website:

Abstract:

On the one hand, the project aimed - through the tools of multidisciplinary socio-cultural research - to understand the factors that contribute to keeping a low level of involvement of Roma women on the labour market. On the other hand - through a series of multidirectional activities - it acted on the factors and conditions, which affect the chances of Roma women to get involved in income-generating work that can ensure both their safety and well-being, as well as respect from the Roma community and non-Roma.

Through its training, information, counseling, mediation and placement activities carried out in the Western region, the project invested in the human capital represented by Roma women and youth, and contributed to increasing their employment rate.

UVT – SUPORT PENTRU ACCES ȘI SUCCES ÎN ÎNVĂȚĂMÂNTUL UNIVERSITAR Call name: Fondul de Dezvoltare Instituţională - FDI - Competiţia 2022
CNFIS-FDI-2022-0345 2022 -

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

Obiectivul 1 - Dezvoltarea unui cadru instituțional adaptat nevoilor studenților cu dizabilități, prin activități de evaluare a nevoilor, sprijin direct și accesibilizarea fizică și cognitivă a sediului universității.

Obiectivul 2 - Îmbunătățirea serviciilor de sprijin, consiliere și orientare profesională oferite studenților UVT proveniți din medii defavorizare, prin organizarea de conferințe, ateliere de lucru și schimburi de experiență cu partenerii sociali care au expertiză în incluziunea socială a grupurilor defavorizate.

Obiectivul 3 – Reducerea abandonului universitar prin aplicarea de instrumente de monitorizare a riscului de abandon universitar și a motivelor retragerii studenților de la studii.

Obiectivul 4 – Sprijinirea elevilor din mediul preuniversitar în accesarea studiilor universitare prin realizarea de materiale pentru pregătirea pentru bacalaureat.

ESA Research Network 26 (Sociology of Social Policy and Social Welfare) Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de mobilitate pentru cercetatori
PN-III-P1-1.1-MC-2018-0800 2018 -

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

Qualitative Research on Professional Integration of Vulnerable Categories Call name: EEA Research Programme under EEA Financial Mechanism 2009-2014
EEA-JRP-RO-NO-2013-1-0063 2013 -

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA (RO); UNIVERSITETET I NORDLAND (NO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE VEST TIMISOARA (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

Name of the project proposal: Qualitative Research on Professional Integration of Vulnerable Categories (Acronym: E-QUAL)

Project duration: 30 months.

The project aims to provide a viable research documented foundation for the current policies and programs addressed to professional integration of vulnerable categories, the final purpose being to facilitate positive changes in the processes of integration of vulnerable groups into the labour market.

The project will be implemented through a partnership between two public accredited universities: West University of Timisoara, from Timisoara, Romania and University of Nordland, from Bodø, Norway. The research will be conducted in Romania, but the analysis and interpretation of results will be completed in Romanian-Norwegian collaboration. This will allow the transfer of knowledge, methods and know-how between the two countries.

The project targets two specific vulnerable groups: disabled individuals and Roma population.

The implementation of the action will start with a comprehensive review of the existing scientific knowledge and datasets about the access on the labour market of disabled adults and Roma people. In order to conduct the two analyses, the consortium will use as sources the databases of the European and national authorities, institutions and organizations which design and implement the policies addressed to disabled and Roma.

Following the method of inquiry named Institutional Ethnography, our study will then investigate the everyday experiences of vulnerable populations approaching the labour market. Semi-structured interviews with these subjects, as well as their family members, will provide a point of departure for further investigations.

Directed by the information gained from the vulnerable group representatives, the investigation will shift into professional and organizational work sites. The objective is to investigate how the everyday experiences of Roma and disabled individuals are connected to institutional relations set. Furthermore, organizations that provide services for people facing difficulties in their relation to the labour market, local employment offices, local authorities and employers will be the next subjects of the study; interviews with service providers and local authority officials, as well as, written documents, will provide the data material for this research.

Building on these activities, a further analysis will be focused on identifying successful interventions addressed to socio-professional integration of disabled and Roma and analysing the factors that generate the potential for success in these interventions.

Based on the main purpose of the project, the next step aims at integrating the results of the research in the current policies and methodologies used in this field. In order to ensure an effective transfer of knowledge towards practice, we have chosen to collaborate with three main target groups: policy-makers, practitioners and academics through trainings, publications and informative sessions.

During the entire “life-cycle” of the project we will disseminate our findings among relevant stakeholders, in order to obtain their close feedback regarding the findings of the research.

The project results include: 10 Research reports (5 on each topic – disabled and Roma), 8 scientific articles in journals indexed in at least 3 international databases, 2 scientific articles in ISI indexed journals, and 2 books published with prestigious publishing houses specialized on our topic, one international conference (Social Inclusion and Equal Opportunities) and a post-graduate training course for the professionals involved in labour market integration of disabled and Roma people.

The research team includes 8 Romanian researchers (3 of them Phd students) and 3 Norwegian researchers (1 of them Postdoctoral student).

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator	Download (14.74 kb) 16/09/2017
List of research grants as partner team leader	Download (16.71 kb) 16/09/2017
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects