The Observatory of Social Challenges (ODESS) aims to investigate the perspectives of residents in Portugal on a variety of social issues that constitute relevant challenges for democracy, social justice, equality and well-being.
ODESS is an initiative of CND-CPUP (Culture, Normativity and Diversity Research Group at the Center of Psychology of the University of Porto), a research unit recognized for its experience in the study of psychosocial phenomena, with an emphasis on the analysis of attitudes, norms and social practices in diverse contexts.
ODESS encompasses a set of annual surveys carried out with representative samples, providing a comprehensive view of the social challenges faced by Portuguese society.
The main themes of study include:
- Attitudes towards reform
- Consumer behavior
- Discrimination and psychological adjustment
- Exposure to psychosocial risk factors
- Social control and dynamics of social exclusion
- Organizational behavior
- Representations of corruption
- Work-family relations
These topics are investigated with scientific rigor, with a methodology designed to ensure the representativeness and quality of the data collected, and to provide a comprehensive view of the social challenges faced by Portuguese society.
ODESS aims to provide valuable insights and recommendations to inform decision-making by policymakers, non-governmental organizations and other entities responsible for the management and implementation of social policies. The Observatory seeks not only to raise awareness in society about critical issues, but also to positively influence the creation and improvement of public policies in order to actively contribute to the improvement of social conditions in Portugal, helping to build a more just, inclusive and resilient society to contemporary challenges.