Dr. Roger Fernandez-Urbano is an accomplished postdoctoral researcher specializing in subjective well-being, social inequalities, and social policy. He holds a PhD in Political and Social Sciences from the European University Institute (EUI), where he was awarded the prestigious four-year Salvador de Madariaga doctoral fellowship, granted by the Spanish Government and the EUI. He also holds a Master of Research (MRes) from the EUI (2017), a Master of Arts (MA) in Social Policy from the University of Warwick (2016), and a Master of Science (MSc) in Economics of Public Policy from the Barcelona Graduate School of Economics (2013).
Dr. Fernandez-Urbano’s academic trajectory is enriched by international experiences as a visiting researcher at renowned institutions, including the European Institute of the London School of Economics, the Centre of Welfare State Research at the University of Southern Denmark, and the Department of Political Science and Economics at the University of Pennsylvania. He also gained early research experience as a research assistant at the University of Oxford’s Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment and three departments at the Faculty of Economics & Business at the University of Barcelona. These experiences, combined with his interdisciplinary academic training, have provided a robust foundation for his research.
Dr. Roger Fernandez-Urbano’s research focuses on the intersection of subjective well-being, social inequalities, and social policy, primarily within the European context. His work integrates insights from multiple social science disciplines, including sociology, economics, social psychology, political philosophy, and European public policy. With a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research, Dr. Fernandez-Urbano employs both experimental and observational methods, combining qualitative interviews with advanced quantitative techniques such as panel data analyses and multilevel modelling.
Throughout his academic career, Dr. Fernandez-Urbano has explored the role of socioeconomic factors, individual perceptions, and institutional settings in shaping subjective well-being across diverse population groups, including the unemployed, public servants, working-age individuals, and the younger population. His research contributes to understanding how economic and social policies influence well-being and inequality, with an emphasis on policy-relevant insights.
Dr. Fernandez-Urbano is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Centre for Demographic Studies (CED) and the Sociology Department of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) within the ERC-funded project DIGIWELL (Digital Time Use, Adolescent Well-Being, and Social Inequalities) led by Prof. Pablo Gracia, which seeks to understand how adolescent digital use intersects with social inequalities in well-being. Dr. Fernandez-Urbano was previously a visiting researcher at the Paris School of Economics – Wellbeing Observatory in Paris for one year and a postdoctoral researcher in Sociology for more than two years at University of Luxembourg in a research project with the Government of Luxembourg, which involved the production of academic articles, reports regular engagement with policymakers, allowing him to disseminate findings through policy briefs, reports, and in-person meetings.
As an early-career researcher, Dr. Fernandez-Urbano has conducted independent research and developed an record of quality publications, working papers, and policy reports. He has authored 14 publications, including seven articles in top-tier (Q1) peer-reviewed social science journals (all as first author, one solo-authored) published in Work, Employment and Society, Social Indicators Research, and the Journal of Happiness Studies among others. He also served as the main editor of The Encyclopedia of Happiness, Quality of Life, and Subjective Wellbeing (Edward Elgar, 2024), a work involving over 100 authors and 62 chapters, to which he contributed a chapter. Furthermore, he has two forthcoming book chapters with Springer and Routledge (one solo-authored) and two policy reports. Recently, he completed two Revise & Resubmit for top-tier social science journals and has five working papers. He is also working on a solo-authored book on social media and happiness (Springer) building on his interdisciplinary expertise.
Dr. Fernandez-Urbano's research agenda includes expanding the understanding of how macroeconomic shocks, extreme weather events, and technological change interact with well-being and social inequality. His aim is to contribute to evidence-based policies that promote well-being and address disparities, positioning him as a leading scholar in the field.
Dr. Fernandez-Urbano’s also enjoys teaching and his teaching portfolio spans PhD and undergraduate levels. At the University of Luxembourg, he taught The Science of Well-Being to PhD students, and at the University of Barcelona, he delivered undergraduate courses on European Integration. In both roles, he mentored students, designed course materials and graded assignments, and actively supported their academic growth.
Beyond research and teaching activities, he is highly engaged in academic service and dissemination. Dr. Fernandez-Urbano serves as the Vice-President for Programs & Events on the Executive Committee of the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS) and regularly presents at international conferences (4–5 per year). He has reviewed for Q1 journals (10+ reviews) and served as a researcher representative in institutional governance roles in most universities where he has been affiliated, contributing to governance and administrative activities.
Dr. Fernandez-Urbano is deeply committed to making academic research accessible to broader audiences. His public engagement initiatives include podcasts, blogs, policy briefs, and dissemination activities such as:
- Hosting a YouTube Channel “La Economía de la Felicidad” with the aim of disseminating academic research on the economics and policies of happiness (e.g. Interview to Prof. Carol Graham).
- Invited talks, including an episode on Margarita Tarragona’s podcast ‘Psicología y Felicidad’(available on Spotify);
- Blog posts for the Catalan Economic Society Blog.
- Dissemination Lectures and talks at El Club de la Felicidad (Belab: LATAM & Spanish audience);
- University of ISQOLS 30th Anniversary Interview to Prof. Alex Michalos
- Interviewed for Blog of the National Bank of Luxembourg (Government Bank).
- Policy Briefs for the Government of Luxembourg and the Luxembourgish society
Dr. Fernandez-Urbano has secured competitive funding for his research throughout his career, reflecting his leadership and independence. His work bridges academia and policy, offering actionable insights to promote well-being and quality of life across society.