CBCP-UST team conducts validation, discernment workshops on lights and shadows of Philippine Catholic Christianity
On October 10, 2025, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the…
The Research Center for Social Sciences and Education (RCSSED) gathers together research associates by research interest groups (RIGs) namely, economics, business and finance studies; language and literacy studies; education and leadership studies; studies in psychology, and contemporary social issues researches (covering studies on inter-generational relations; social health; migration, politics and policies; and environmental vulnerability, security, and sustainability). Emerging working groups (WGs) in the fields of linguistic studies and peace and conflict studies are also currently supported by the center. Among the Center’s projects focus on sustainable ecosystems and climate change, inclusive education, relevant Catholic church-related matters (CBCP), and finance soundness and literacy (CIMA).
Research projects of the Center have received support from foreign and Philippine partners in AY 2020-2021. These include:
Foreign: Fondazione Gravissimum Educationis, Porticus, Global Alliance on Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), University of East Anglia (United Kingdom), and Brown University (United States of America)
Local: Commission on Higher Education, Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
The Center and its researchers also collaborate with foreign and Philippine universities in research projects and capacity-building activities.
The Center’s researchers also strive to influence public policy, in particular policies and programs of national government agencies (e.g. environment, cultural heritage, tourism, labor and employment) and local government units (provincial, city, municipal,, barangay). This is not to mention that some studies of the Center also help some players in the private or business sector, as well as civil society organizations. Even community-based organizations (e.g. urban poor, rural women) have benefitted from some action research projects run by the Center.
Indexed in Scopus and the Web of Science (as of 2020)
Indexed in Scopus and Clarivate Analytics’ Emerging Sources Citation Index (as of 2020)
Indexed in Clarivate Analytics’ Emerging Sources Citation Index only (as of 2020)
Indexed in Scopus only (as of 2020)
International journals
Philippine journals
Books and creative works released by foreign publishers
Books and creative works released by Philippine-based publishers
The Research Center for Social Sciences and Education (RCSSED) envisions itself to be a globally recognized research center in the fields of social sciences and education geared towards social transformation.
To engage in meaningful and responsive research in the fields of social sciences and education, committed to the service of the Church, the Nation, and the Global Community.
RCSSED Program Tree


Assoc. Prof. Virginia R. Arceo, Ph.D.

Assoc. Prof. Agnes Jocelyn P. Bandojo, DBA
Doctor of Business Administration

Prof. Mary Caroline N. Castaño, PhD
Doctor of Philosophy, major in Commerce

Assoc. Prof. Ronald R. Fernandez, MIT
Master of Information Technology

Assoc. Prof. Carlos L. Manapat, DBA
Doctor of Business Administration

Assoc. Prof. Karen Grace P. Valdez, PhD
Doctor of Philosophy, major in Economics

Prof. Joan Christi T. Bagaipo, PhD
Doctor of Philosophy, major in Development Studies

Inst. Jade Harley C. Bretaña, MA, LPT
Master of Arts in Sociology

Inst. Dionar M. Acosta, MA
Master of Arts in Communication Management

Inst. Ma. Regina P. Agustin, MA

Inst. Vea Jane D. Estrada, MA

Inst. Rae Francis C. Quilantang, MA
Master in Communication

Assoc. Prof. Ginavee F. Dapula, PhD
Doctor of Philosophy, major in Commerce

Inst. Vitus Paul L. de Jesus, PhD
Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics Education

Asst. Prof. Adrian R. Montemayor, JD, LL.M
Juris Doctor

Asst. Prof. Arturo J. Patungan Jr., LPT, PhD
Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Mathematics Education)

Assoc. Prof. Andres Julio V. Santiago Jr., PhD
Doctor of Philosophy in English

Asst. Prof. Joram Kim B. Corcuera, PhD
Doctor of Philosophy in English Language Studies

Sr. Teacher Kristina Ysabelle D. Valerio, MA
Master of Arts in English Language and Literature Teaching

Asst. Prof. Glenda E. Feliprada, MA

Inst. Jazztin Jairum P. Manalo, MA
Master of Arts in Development Policy

Prof. Maria Claudette A. Agnes, PhD
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

Assoc. Prof. Angelie D. Bautista, PhD

Inst. Michael Edward P. Buenaflor, MA, RN, RPsy
Master of Arts, major in Clinical Psychology

Asst. Prof. Jeau Raizza S. Go, MA
Master of Arts in Psychology

Inst. Edith G. Habig, MP
Master in Psychology

Asst. Prof. Kathryn P. Hipolito-Jacob, MA
Master of Arts, major in Clinical Psychology

Inst. Alvin L. Jacob III, MA
Master in Psychology

Sr. Angelina M. Julom, PhD
Doctor of Philosophy, major in Psychology

Prof. Marc Eric S. Reyes, PhD
Doctor of Philosophy, major in Psychology

Asst. Prof. Karen Katrina V. Trinidad, PhD
Doctor of Philosophy, major in Industrial Psychology

Prof. Joy R. Tungol, PhD
Doctor of Philosophy, major in Psychology

Prof. Maria Minerva P. Calimag, MD, PhD
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Management

Mr. Ramon Arvin Noriel B. Santos, MSc
Master of Science in Microbiology

Asst. Prof. Crislee Torio, PhD
Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacy

Assoc. Prof. Ma. Sanita A. Quilatan, PhD
Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Studies

Prof. Alain Jomarie G. Santos, PhD
Doctor of Philosophy, major in Economics

Asst. Prof. Vinson P. Serrano, MSRDP
Master of Science in Regional Development Planning and Management

Inst. John Jerick C. Santos, MLdrshpOrgLrng

Ms. Ma. Carmelita F. Santos
Research Administrative Officer

Ms. Arabella Mejorada
Research Administrative Assistant

Ms. Frances Gabrielle Cruz
Research Data Staff
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The UST Research Center on Social Sciences and Education (RCSSEd) was created in January 2017, from the previously merged Research Center on Culture, Education, and Social Issues (RCCESI). Further into its history, the social sciences and education researches were handled by the old Social Research Center (SRC) and Center for Educational Research and Development (CERD).
Prof. Belinda D.V. de Castro, PhD is the inaugural Director of the RCSSEd.