Within the LiRiC framework, researchers from a range of related disciplines combine their theoretical and methodological expertise to better analyse and understand the mechanisms underlying various societal issues. This interdisciplinary collaboration also aims to identify effective forms of intervention, remediation strategies, and potential changes in practices and policies. Research conducted through LiRiC not only advances fundamental knowledge within each participating discipline but also benefits from the added value of interdisciplinarity. Addressing complex questions about human behaviour and practices — questions that are inherently multifactorial —requires a cross-disciplinary perspective.
The LiRiC network also emphasizes a strong applied dimension, ensuring that research contributes directly to societal progress and the improvement of citizens' daily lives. In this spirit, theoretical concepts and disciplinary models are combined with real-world applications to address pressing social challenges. These include platforms promoting multilingualism in schools, tools for the automatic acquisition and annotation of endangered languages, linguistic and educational policies that support inclusive language, and the analysis of patient narratives to enhance understanding among healthcare professionals and families.
The three research axes are closely interrelated and engage with overarching, cross-disciplinary issues. The associated projects may be cross-cutting or span two or even all three areas. The division into axes is therefore a matter of structural organization, aimed at coordinating and harmonizing the members’ work.
In connection with the three axes, three major thematic areas structure the projects that LiRiC members wish to develop:
- Language and communication disorders & disability (also related to learning)
- Languages, plurilingualism/multilingualism, learning, language policies, interculturality (& identity)
- Inclusive communication, verbal violence & conflict, corporate social responsibility (CSR)
The objective of interdisciplinary dialogue is to "unlock" certain elements within our own disciplines, with the aim of reducing biases — particularly those arising from limited knowledge of other fields. The ITI LiRiC project includes work that goes beyond narrowly defined themes and focuses on how our disciplines intersect, as well as on the implementation of the means necessary to achieve the intended objectives.