OUR VOICE TO HUMANITIES
Our Voice to Humanities is a research and community-driven initiative operating within the Foundation for Innovation and Research – Malta (FIR.mt).
Based in Malta and active across Europe, the Centre strengthens the role of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) in research, innovation, and policy-making. We work at the interface between science, society, and decision-making to ensure that Europe’s green and digital transitions remain socially grounded, inclusive, and responsible.
Inspired by European best practice, our Centre functions as a virtual hub, connecting researchers, communities, policymakers, and innovators across borders.
Why Social Sciences and Humanities Matter
Europe’s most pressing challenges are not only technical — they are human.
Climate change, energy transition, mobility systems, and public health transformations require more than new technologies. They require an understanding of:
- human behaviour and values
- cultural and social contexts
- trust, participation, and governance
- societal impacts and inequalities
Our Centre ensures that people, culture, and lived experience are embedded at the heart of research and innovation.
Our Role within FIR.mt
Operating under FIR.mt, the SSH Research Centre contributes to the Foundation’s mission as a non-profit research organisation dedicated to public benefit, education, and societal impact.
We:
- support European and national research programmes
- contribute to Horizon Europe projects and WIDERA actions
- host and co-organise scientific events, schools, and public lectures
- enable collaboration without commercial or economic activity
Our work is guided by open science principles, transparency, and service to society.
Focus Areas
Our research and engagement activities focus on four interconnected domains:
Climate: Understanding social dynamics, values, and behaviours behind climate adaptation and mitigation.
Energy: Supporting just, people-centred energy transitions through policy-relevant SSH research.
Mobility: Promoting inclusive, accessible, and socially fair mobility systems.
Health: Advancing resilience, equity, and wellbeing in European health systems.
Across all areas, we translate research into actionable societal insights.
Mission and Vision
Our Mission
To place the human perspective at the heart of Europe’s transition towards a fair, sustainable, and resilient future.
Our Vision
A Europe where innovation is guided by social responsibility, cultural understanding, and meaningful community participation.
Our Values
- Collaboration – Knowledge grows when shared across disciplines and borders.
- Inclusivity – Every voice matters in shaping Europe’s future.
- Evidence-based Policy – Research must inform real decisions.
- Open Science – Transparent, accessible, and ethical research practices.
- Societal Impact – Research serving people, communities, and public good.
How We Work
Inspired by European research centres such as AIT, our approach combines:
- interdisciplinary collaboration between SSH and STEM
- co-creation with communities and stakeholders
- capacity building and training
- policy engagement and impact pathways
- support for SSH integration in EU research proposals
We act as facilitators, connectors, and enablers, not as commercial service providers.
A European Network, Rooted in Malta
While rooted in Malta, the SSH Research Centre operates as part of a European knowledge ecosystem. We collaborate with:
- universities and research institutes
- national and EU authorities
- civil society organisations
- international research networks
Our work contributes directly to European priorities in climate action, energy transition, mobility justice, and public health resilience.
Looking Ahead
The SSH Research Centre – Our Voice to Humanities continues to expand as a community-powered platform for SSH excellence in Europe.
By amplifying voices, connecting disciplines, and shaping inclusive research agendas, we contribute to a Europe where innovation serves society — not the other way around.