Ramón Flecha

Ramón Flecha is a Spanish sociologist who is a professor of sociology at the University of Barcelona, Doctor Honoris Causa from West University of Timişoara, and a researcher in social sciences in Europe. In 2025, he was suspended from the University after allegations of sexual abuse.

His sociological contributions cover different areas; research methodology (communicative methodology), culture (dialogic literary gatherings), economics (successful cooperative actions), education (learning communities), cultural groups (distinction of modern and postmodern racism), new masculinities (alternative masculinities), sociology of science (scientific, political and social impact) and social theory (dialogic societies).

Biography

Ramón Flecha was born in 1952.[citation needed]

In 1967, he collaborated in the creation of a cultural centre of activities in the most deprived area of his city of birth, Bilbao. He was a member of the clandestine opposition against Franco's dictatorship from 1969 until democracy arrived in Spain.

In 1978 he moved to a neighbourhood of Barcelona where there were shacks and founded La Verneda Adult School – Sant Martí.[citation needed] He worked with Paulo Freire for more than twenty years.[citation needed] He developed the practice of dialogic literary gatherings as a form of critical pedagogy.[citation needed]

In 1991 Flecha founded the CREA research centre at the University of Barcelona.[citation needed]

In 1997 he published his first book that included the theory of dialogic learning, subsequently published in English and in Chinese.[citation needed]

In 2018, he advised the evaluation of the social impact of science in the European Framework Programme.[non-primary source needed]

Recognition

Alain Touraine wrote a promotional blurb for Flecha's 2000 book Sharing Words:

At times, as Ramón Flecha demonstrates, knowledge goes from bottom to top, when individuals without degrees produce and invent cultural analyses based on their own experience.

Ulrich Beck wrote the preface to Contemporary Sociological Theory, co-authored by Flecha in 20223, saying the book

combines rigorous research with facts, including the intention for a dialogical utopia. But this broad intention is presented in the book, joining theory with critique and empirical research with praxis, in such a charming way that it grabs its readers and captures them under its spell.

Distinctions and awards

His contributions have been awarded by various institutions, some examples;

Publications

Some of his publications are;

References

  1. ↑ de Vest din Timişoara a conferit titlul de Doctor Honoris Causa următoarelor personalităţi
  2. ↑ Abelló, Enric Borràs (15 July 2025). "The UB suspends professor Ramon Flecha, accused of "sexual, harassing, and intimidating" behavior". Ara in English. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  3. ↑ Ellerman, D. (2016). Comment on Ramon Flecha and Ignacio Santa Cruz. The Priority of Labor and Capital Accounts . Analyse & Kritik, 33(1), pp. 171-174. doi:10.1515/auk-2011-0114
  4. ↑ Wright, E. O. (2010). Chapter 5. The socialist compass. In Envisioning Real Utopias. (pp. 110–149). New York: Verso. Learning Communities is quoted as one of the real utopias on page 143.
  5. ↑ Dafermos, M. (2018). Relating dialogue and dialectics: a philosophical perspective. Dialogic Pedagogy: An International Online Journal, 6, 1–18. There is a reflection in relation to Flecha's contribution of the distinction of modern and postmodern racism on page A5.
  6. ↑ Nardini, K. (2019). Uneven Routes of Mobilizing ‘ as Men ’: Reconfiguring Masculinities among Anti-sexist Groups of Men in Italy and Spain . Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. The contribution of new alternative masculinities is collected on p. 143-144.
  7. ↑ Uribe Tirado, A., Ochoa Gutiérrez, J., & Medina Alfonso, D. (2019). Visibilidad de los investigadores de la Universidad de Antioquia en medios de comunicación internacionales, nacionales y regionales-locales. Revista Interamericana de Bibliotecología, 42(2), 107–126. The contribution on scientific political and social impact developed by the IMPACT-EV research Team is quoted on pages 108-109. Flecha was the main researcher of IMPACT-EV-
  8. ↑ Quenum, A. (2006). From Communicative Silencer to Responsive Listener : Participation and Public Dialogue in Benin . Duquesne University. The Flecha's contribution on dialogic societies is collected on page 75.
  9. ↑ Giner, Elisenda. (2011). Amistad deseada. Aportaciones de Jesús Gómez y Ramón Flecha que están acercando la realidad a nuestros sueños [Desired friendship Jesús Gómez y Ramón Flecha's Contributions that are bringing reality to our dreams]. Barcelona: Hipatia Editorial. ISBN 978-84-938226-0-6,
  10. ↑ Horizone Europe program analysis includes the Monitoring the impact of EU Framework Programs report
  11. ↑ Words of commentary from Alain Touraine about the book: Flecha, R. (2000): Sharing Words. Lanham, M.D: Rowman & Littlefield.
  12. ↑ Words of Ulrich Beck in the prologue of the book: Flecha, R.; Gómez, J. & Puigvert, L. (2003) Contemporary Sociological Theory. New York : Peter Lang.

Further reading