The Centre of Research in Theories and Practices that Overcome Inequalities (CREA) was founded in 1991 by a current professor of Sociology at the University of Barcelona, Doctor Honoris Causa of West University of TimiÃÂoara and also a recognized researcher in Europe in the Social Science area, Ramon Flecha. After Ramon Flecha's resignation as the Director of CREA, in 2006; Marta Soler, Doctor by Harvard, a current Professor of Sociological Theory, assumed the post. Nowadays, the name of the research centre has changed for this other CREA-Community of Researchers on Excellence for All. CREA, one of the centres that first joined the Scientific Park of Barcelona (University of Barcelona); is interdisciplinary; multicultural and open accepting different ideologies, religions, lifestyles, sexual orientations; transparent, since its knowledge is at everyone's disposal; and it is a centre where the validity of arguments prevails over the positions of power of their members, creating, in this way, an environment of an egalitarian dialogue. This centre is formed by University research professors, researchers and professional collaborators of diverse disciplines (sociology, pedagogy, economy, mathematics, communication, biology, etc).
In December 2025, CREA announced its dissolution in a statement published on its official social media channels. The announcement came shortly after the University of Barcelona referred an ongoing investigation into alleged misconduct involving the groupâÂÂs founder, Ramón Flecha, and other affiliated academics to the Public ProsecutorâÂÂs Office, citing the seriousness of the allegations and preliminary findings from an internal expert commission.
All the research CREA carries out is done with the direct collaboration of the subjects researched, using the critical communicative methodology. The subject of research is directly included providing its interpretations, experiences and opinions, enriching, in this way, the research. It is about facilitating the participation of the researched in the research through an egalitarian dialogue with the researcher where validity claims prevail over power ones.
The Research Centre carries out both international and national projects in developing the following lines of research:
And from the lines of research described above, five groups were created by CREA:
CREA is internationally well-known for its international research oriented to overcoming inequalities; already present in Europe and in various countries such as Brazil, United States, Korea or Australia. Concretely, from its origins, CREA has collaborated with international research groups, as well as with different authors of the Scientific International Community. Some of the seminars were held with important authors such as: Paulo Freire (1994), Ulrich Beck and Elisabeth Beck Gernsheim (1998), Alain Touraine (1999), Jon Elster (2001), Judith Butler (2001), Alejandro Portes (2002), Gordon Wells (2003), John Searle (2003) or Gary Orfield (2003).
Different members of CREA have given lectures and seminars at several universities in Brazil, United States, Germany, Australia, Korea and others. Ramon Flecha participated in The Harvard Education Forum celebrated on February 27, 1998; in honor of Paulo Freire, alongside important international referents such as: Noam Chomsky (Institute Professor and Professor of Linguistics, MIT), Eileen de los Reyes (Moderator, Assistant Professor HGSE), Carolyn Higgins (Earlhm College), Yamila Hussein (HGSE master's degree candidate), Donaldo Macedo (UMass Boston), Nancy Richardson (associate dean for ministry, Harvard Divinity School), Ira Shor (City College of New York).
As another example, in 2008, professor of Sociological Theory and director of CREA, Marta Soler, gave two lectures about literary gatherings and Community involvement for social change and about the role of critical communicative methodology in overcoming social exclusion. He also led a seminar at the Havens Center for Study of Social of Structure and Social Change, in the University of Wisconsin- Madison.
Since the mid-2000s, the research group CREA has been involved in several public controversies. In 2004 and 2006, complaints regarding its internal functioning and alleged coercive practices were examined by Spanish prosecutors, who ultimately dismissed the cases due to lack of criminal evidence, while recommending internal changes after identifying discriminatory practices against some members. In later years, CREAâÂÂs research methods were also publicly questioned by academic sociologists.
In 2016, the University of Barcelona referred seven complaints from students and faculty members to the public prosecutor, alleging sect-like behavior, psychological manipulation, and invasion of privacy within CREA. These complaints were dismissed in 2017 due to insufficient evidence to pursue criminal action. CREA stated that the accusations were part of a defamation campaign related to its research on gender-based violence and sexual harassment in universities.
In 2025, new allegations emerged involving claims of sexual harassment, abuse of power, and coercive behavior linked to members of CREA and its founder, Ramón Flecha. Fourteen women filed formal complaints with the University of Barcelona, accusing him of maintaining sexual relationships with junior researchers and students. As a result, an academic distinction awarded to CREAâÂÂs director, Marta Soler, was provisionally suspended.
During the same period, the Spanish Sociological Federation issued a public statement condemning the allegations related to the environment of the CREA group, and several research groups publicly expressed concern about CREAâÂÂs links with the Catalan Sociological Association, announcing that they would refrain from participating in its conferences unless safeguards against abusive practices were ensured. Subsequently, the Institute of Catalan Studies suspended the governing board and activities of the Catalan Sociological Association due to its links with CREA and opened an internal investigation.
In December 2025, after receiving a total of sixteen complaints describing âÂÂvery serious sexual, vexatious, and intimidating conductâ and characterizing CREA as a âÂÂhigh-control coercive groupâÂÂ, the University of Barcelona referred the case to the public prosecutor.