diff --git a/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.component.ts b/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.component.ts
index a9c0a6648d..e172f9717b 100644
--- a/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+admin/admin-sidebar/admin-sidebar.component.ts
@@ -179,17 +179,18 @@ export class AdminSidebarComponent extends MenuComponent implements OnInit {
             link: '/processes/new'
           } as LinkMenuItemModel,
         },
-        {
-          id: 'new_item_version',
-          parentID: 'new',
-          active: false,
-          visible: true,
-          model: {
-            type: MenuItemType.LINK,
-            text: 'menu.section.new_item_version',
-            link: ''
-          } as LinkMenuItemModel,
-        },
+        // TODO: enable this menu item once the feature has been implemented
+        // {
+        //   id: 'new_item_version',
+        //   parentID: 'new',
+        //   active: false,
+        //   visible: true,
+        //   model: {
+        //     type: MenuItemType.LINK,
+        //     text: 'menu.section.new_item_version',
+        //     link: ''
+        //   } as LinkMenuItemModel,
+        // },
 
         /* Edit */
         {
@@ -243,47 +244,35 @@ export class AdminSidebarComponent extends MenuComponent implements OnInit {
           } as OnClickMenuItemModel,
         },
 
-        /* Curation tasks */
-        {
-          id: 'curation_tasks',
-          active: false,
-          visible: isCollectionAdmin,
-          model: {
-            type: MenuItemType.LINK,
-            text: 'menu.section.curation_task',
-            link: ''
-          } as LinkMenuItemModel,
-          icon: 'filter',
-          index: 7
-        },
-
         /* Statistics */
-        {
-          id: 'statistics_task',
-          active: false,
-          visible: true,
-          model: {
-            type: MenuItemType.LINK,
-            text: 'menu.section.statistics_task',
-            link: ''
-          } as LinkMenuItemModel,
-          icon: 'chart-bar',
-          index: 8
-        },
+        // TODO: enable this menu item once the feature has been implemented
+        // {
+        //   id: 'statistics_task',
+        //   active: false,
+        //   visible: true,
+        //   model: {
+        //     type: MenuItemType.LINK,
+        //     text: 'menu.section.statistics_task',
+        //     link: ''
+        //   } as LinkMenuItemModel,
+        //   icon: 'chart-bar',
+        //   index: 8
+        // },
 
         /* Control Panel */
-        {
-          id: 'control_panel',
-          active: false,
-          visible: isSiteAdmin,
-          model: {
-            type: MenuItemType.LINK,
-            text: 'menu.section.control_panel',
-            link: ''
-          } as LinkMenuItemModel,
-          icon: 'cogs',
-          index: 9
-        },
+        // TODO: enable this menu item once the feature has been implemented
+        // {
+        //   id: 'control_panel',
+        //   active: false,
+        //   visible: isSiteAdmin,
+        //   model: {
+        //     type: MenuItemType.LINK,
+        //     text: 'menu.section.control_panel',
+        //     link: ''
+        //   } as LinkMenuItemModel,
+        //   icon: 'cogs',
+        //   index: 9
+        // },
 
         /* Processes */
         {
@@ -324,42 +313,45 @@ export class AdminSidebarComponent extends MenuComponent implements OnInit {
         index: 3,
         shouldPersistOnRouteChange: true
       },
-      {
-        id: 'export_community',
-        parentID: 'export',
-        active: false,
-        visible: true,
-        model: {
-          type: MenuItemType.LINK,
-          text: 'menu.section.export_community',
-          link: ''
-        } as LinkMenuItemModel,
-        shouldPersistOnRouteChange: true
-      },
-      {
-        id: 'export_collection',
-        parentID: 'export',
-        active: false,
-        visible: true,
-        model: {
-          type: MenuItemType.LINK,
-          text: 'menu.section.export_collection',
-          link: ''
-        } as LinkMenuItemModel,
-        shouldPersistOnRouteChange: true
-      },
-      {
-        id: 'export_item',
-        parentID: 'export',
-        active: false,
-        visible: true,
-        model: {
-          type: MenuItemType.LINK,
-          text: 'menu.section.export_item',
-          link: ''
-        } as LinkMenuItemModel,
-        shouldPersistOnRouteChange: true
-      },
+      // TODO: enable this menu item once the feature has been implemented
+      // {
+      //   id: 'export_community',
+      //   parentID: 'export',
+      //   active: false,
+      //   visible: true,
+      //   model: {
+      //     type: MenuItemType.LINK,
+      //     text: 'menu.section.export_community',
+      //     link: ''
+      //   } as LinkMenuItemModel,
+      //   shouldPersistOnRouteChange: true
+      // },
+      // TODO: enable this menu item once the feature has been implemented
+      // {
+      //   id: 'export_collection',
+      //   parentID: 'export',
+      //   active: false,
+      //   visible: true,
+      //   model: {
+      //     type: MenuItemType.LINK,
+      //     text: 'menu.section.export_collection',
+      //     link: ''
+      //   } as LinkMenuItemModel,
+      //   shouldPersistOnRouteChange: true
+      // },
+      // TODO: enable this menu item once the feature has been implemented
+      // {
+      //   id: 'export_item',
+      //   parentID: 'export',
+      //   active: false,
+      //   visible: true,
+      //   model: {
+      //     type: MenuItemType.LINK,
+      //     text: 'menu.section.export_item',
+      //     link: ''
+      //   } as LinkMenuItemModel,
+      //   shouldPersistOnRouteChange: true
+      // },
     ];
     menuList.forEach((menuSection) => this.menuService.addSection(this.menuID, menuSection));
 
@@ -406,17 +398,18 @@ export class AdminSidebarComponent extends MenuComponent implements OnInit {
         icon: 'file-import',
         index: 2
       },
-      {
-        id: 'import_batch',
-        parentID: 'import',
-        active: false,
-        visible: true,
-        model: {
-          type: MenuItemType.LINK,
-          text: 'menu.section.import_batch',
-          link: ''
-        } as LinkMenuItemModel,
-      }
+      // TODO: enable this menu item once the feature has been implemented
+      // {
+      //   id: 'import_batch',
+      //   parentID: 'import',
+      //   active: false,
+      //   visible: true,
+      //   model: {
+      //     type: MenuItemType.LINK,
+      //     text: 'menu.section.import_batch',
+      //     link: ''
+      //   } as LinkMenuItemModel,
+      // }
     ];
     menuList.forEach((menuSection) => this.menuService.addSection(this.menuID, Object.assign(menuSection, {
       shouldPersistOnRouteChange: true
@@ -563,17 +556,18 @@ export class AdminSidebarComponent extends MenuComponent implements OnInit {
             link: '/access-control/groups'
           } as LinkMenuItemModel,
         },
-        {
-          id: 'access_control_authorizations',
-          parentID: 'access_control',
-          active: false,
-          visible: authorized,
-          model: {
-            type: MenuItemType.LINK,
-            text: 'menu.section.access_control_authorizations',
-            link: ''
-          } as LinkMenuItemModel,
-        },
+        // TODO: enable this menu item once the feature has been implemented
+        // {
+        //   id: 'access_control_authorizations',
+        //   parentID: 'access_control',
+        //   active: false,
+        //   visible: authorized,
+        //   model: {
+        //     type: MenuItemType.LINK,
+        //     text: 'menu.section.access_control_authorizations',
+        //     link: ''
+        //   } as LinkMenuItemModel,
+        // },
         {
           id: 'access_control',
           active: false,
diff --git a/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-relationships/edit-relationship-list/edit-relationship-list.component.ts b/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-relationships/edit-relationship-list/edit-relationship-list.component.ts
index 2082143e05..3f9637cdc9 100644
--- a/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-relationships/edit-relationship-list/edit-relationship-list.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+item-page/edit-item-page/item-relationships/edit-relationship-list/edit-relationship-list.component.ts
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ import { RelationshipType } from '../../../../core/shared/item-relationships/rel
 import {
   getAllSucceededRemoteData,
   getRemoteDataPayload,
-  getFirstSucceededRemoteData,
+  getFirstSucceededRemoteData, getFirstSucceededRemoteDataPayload,
 } from '../../../../core/shared/operators';
 import { ItemType } from '../../../../core/shared/item-relationships/item-type.model';
 import { DsDynamicLookupRelationModalComponent } from '../../../../shared/form/builder/ds-dynamic-form-ui/relation-lookup-modal/dynamic-lookup-relation-modal.component';
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import { SearchResult } from '../../../../shared/search/search-result.model';
 import { followLink } from '../../../../shared/utils/follow-link-config.model';
 import { PaginatedList } from '../../../../core/data/paginated-list.model';
 import { RemoteData } from '../../../../core/data/remote-data';
+import { Collection } from '../../../../core/shared/collection.model';
 
 @Component({
   selector: 'ds-edit-relationship-list',
@@ -146,6 +147,11 @@ export class EditRelationshipListComponent implements OnInit {
     modalComp.repeatable = true;
     modalComp.listId = this.listId;
     modalComp.item = this.item;
+    this.item.owningCollection.pipe(
+      getFirstSucceededRemoteDataPayload()
+    ).subscribe((collection: Collection) => {
+      modalComp.collection = collection;
+    });
     modalComp.select = (...selectableObjects: SearchResult<Item>[]) => {
       selectableObjects.forEach((searchResult) => {
         const relatedItem: Item = searchResult.indexableObject;
diff --git a/src/app/+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-configuration.service.spec.ts b/src/app/+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-configuration.service.spec.ts
index 87a2f8a9dd..fa278da967 100644
--- a/src/app/+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-configuration.service.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-configuration.service.spec.ts
@@ -27,7 +27,10 @@ describe('MyDSpaceConfigurationService', () => {
     scope: ''
   });
 
-  const backendFilters = [new SearchFilter('f.namedresourcetype', ['another value']), new SearchFilter('f.dateSubmitted', ['[2013 TO 2018]'])];
+  const backendFilters = [
+    new SearchFilter('f.namedresourcetype', ['another value']),
+    new SearchFilter('f.dateSubmitted', ['[2013 TO 2018]'], 'equals')
+  ];
 
   const spy = jasmine.createSpyObj('RouteService', {
     getQueryParameterValue: observableOf(value1),
diff --git a/src/app/+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-page.component.html b/src/app/+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-page.component.html
index c911e2c319..32e3a0d710 100644
--- a/src/app/+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-page.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-page.component.html
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
                          [configurationList]="(configurationList$ | async)"
                          [resultCount]="(resultsRD$ | async)?.payload.totalElements"
                          [viewModeList]="viewModeList"
+                         [searchOptions]="(searchOptions$ | async)"
+                         [sortOptions]="(sortOptions$ | async)"
                          [refreshFilters]="refreshFilters.asObservable()"
                          [inPlaceSearch]="inPlaceSearch"></ds-search-sidebar>
       <div class="col-12 col-md-9">
@@ -28,6 +30,8 @@
                                      [resultCount]="(resultsRD$ | async)?.payload.totalElements"
                                      (toggleSidebar)="closeSidebar()"
                                      [ngClass]="{'active': !(isSidebarCollapsed() | async)}"
+                                     [searchOptions]="(searchOptions$ | async)"
+                                     [sortOptions]="(sortOptions$ | async)"
                                      [refreshFilters]="refreshFilters.asObservable()"
                                      [inPlaceSearch]="inPlaceSearch">
                   </ds-search-sidebar>
diff --git a/src/app/+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-page.component.spec.ts b/src/app/+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-page.component.spec.ts
index 59581d0da8..b4b75b42a0 100644
--- a/src/app/+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-page.component.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-page.component.spec.ts
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ describe('MyDSpacePageComponent', () => {
   pagination.id = 'mydspace-results-pagination';
   pagination.currentPage = 1;
   pagination.pageSize = 10;
+  const sortOption = { name: 'score', sortOrder: 'DESC', metadata: null };
   const sort: SortOptions = new SortOptions('score', SortDirection.DESC);
   const mockResults = createSuccessfulRemoteDataObject$(['test', 'data']);
   const searchServiceStub = jasmine.createSpyObj('SearchService', {
@@ -52,7 +53,8 @@ describe('MyDSpacePageComponent', () => {
     getEndpoint: observableOf('discover/search/objects'),
     getSearchLink: '/mydspace',
     getScopes: observableOf(['test-scope']),
-    setServiceOptions: {}
+    setServiceOptions: {},
+    getSearchConfigurationFor: createSuccessfulRemoteDataObject$({ sortOptions: [sortOption]})
   });
   const configurationParam = 'default';
   const queryParam = 'test query';
@@ -188,4 +190,24 @@ describe('MyDSpacePageComponent', () => {
     });
 
   });
+
+  describe('when stable', () => {
+
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+    });
+
+    it('should have initialized the sortOptions$ observable', (done) => {
+
+      comp.sortOptions$.subscribe((sortOptions) => {
+
+        expect(sortOptions.length).toEqual(2);
+        expect(sortOptions[0]).toEqual(new SortOptions('score', SortDirection.ASC));
+        expect(sortOptions[1]).toEqual(new SortOptions('score', SortDirection.DESC));
+        done();
+      });
+
+    });
+
+  });
 });
diff --git a/src/app/+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-page.component.ts b/src/app/+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-page.component.ts
index 5ee2a47d9f..3ded17191e 100644
--- a/src/app/+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-page.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-page.component.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import {
 } from '@angular/core';
 
 import { BehaviorSubject, Observable, Subject, Subscription } from 'rxjs';
-import { map, switchMap, tap, } from 'rxjs/operators';
+import { map, switchMap, tap } from 'rxjs/operators';
 
 import { PaginatedList } from '../core/data/paginated-list.model';
 import { RemoteData } from '../core/data/remote-data';
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ import { ViewMode } from '../core/shared/view-mode.model';
 import { MyDSpaceRequest } from '../core/data/request.models';
 import { SearchResult } from '../shared/search/search-result.model';
 import { Context } from '../core/shared/context.model';
+import { SortOptions } from '../core/cache/models/sort-options.model';
+import { RouteService } from '../core/services/route.service';
 
 export const MYDSPACE_ROUTE = '/mydspace';
 export const SEARCH_CONFIG_SERVICE: InjectionToken<SearchConfigurationService> = new InjectionToken<SearchConfigurationService>('searchConfigurationService');
@@ -71,6 +73,11 @@ export class MyDSpacePageComponent implements OnInit {
    */
   searchOptions$: Observable<PaginatedSearchOptions>;
 
+  /**
+   * The current available sort options
+   */
+  sortOptions$: Observable<SortOptions[]>;
+
   /**
    * The current relevant scopes
    */
@@ -109,7 +116,8 @@ export class MyDSpacePageComponent implements OnInit {
   constructor(private service: SearchService,
               private sidebarService: SidebarService,
               private windowService: HostWindowService,
-              @Inject(SEARCH_CONFIG_SERVICE) public searchConfigService: MyDSpaceConfigurationService) {
+              @Inject(SEARCH_CONFIG_SERVICE) public searchConfigService: MyDSpaceConfigurationService,
+              private routeService: RouteService) {
     this.isXsOrSm$ = this.windowService.isXsOrSm();
     this.service.setServiceOptions(MyDSpaceResponseParsingService, MyDSpaceRequest);
   }
@@ -151,6 +159,12 @@ export class MyDSpacePageComponent implements OnInit {
         })
       );
 
+    const configuration$ = this.searchConfigService.getCurrentConfiguration('workspace');
+    const searchConfig$ = this.searchConfigService.getConfigurationSearchConfigObservable(configuration$, this.service);
+
+    this.sortOptions$ = this.searchConfigService.getConfigurationSortOptionsObservable(searchConfig$);
+    this.searchConfigService.initializeSortOptionsFromConfiguration(searchConfig$);
+
   }
 
   /**
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search.component.html b/src/app/+search-page/search.component.html
index 7cb16caebe..d8aa25e4a3 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/search.component.html
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search.component.html
@@ -31,11 +31,14 @@
 <ng-template #sidebarContent>
     <ds-search-sidebar id="search-sidebar" *ngIf="!(isXsOrSm$ | async)"
                        [resultCount]="(resultsRD$ | async)?.payload?.totalElements"
+                       [searchOptions]="(searchOptions$ | async)"
+                       [sortOptions]="(sortOptions$ | async)"
                        [inPlaceSearch]="inPlaceSearch"></ds-search-sidebar>
     <ds-search-sidebar id="search-sidebar-sm" *ngIf="(isXsOrSm$ | async)"
                        [resultCount]="(resultsRD$ | async)?.payload.totalElements"
-                       (toggleSidebar)="closeSidebar()"
-    >
+                       [searchOptions]="(searchOptions$ | async)"
+                       [sortOptions]="(sortOptions$ | async)"
+                       (toggleSidebar)="closeSidebar()">
     </ds-search-sidebar>
 </ng-template>
 
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search.component.spec.ts b/src/app/+search-page/search.component.spec.ts
index 989aed403d..bcbf3f0f77 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/search.component.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search.component.spec.ts
@@ -40,12 +40,14 @@ const pagination: PaginationComponentOptions = new PaginationComponentOptions();
 pagination.id = 'search-results-pagination';
 pagination.currentPage = 1;
 pagination.pageSize = 10;
+const sortOption = { name: 'score', sortOrder: 'DESC', metadata: null };
 const sort: SortOptions = new SortOptions('score', SortDirection.DESC);
 const mockResults = createSuccessfulRemoteDataObject$(['test', 'data']);
 const searchServiceStub = jasmine.createSpyObj('SearchService', {
   search: mockResults,
   getSearchLink: '/search',
-  getScopes: observableOf(['test-scope'])
+  getScopes: observableOf(['test-scope']),
+  getSearchConfigurationFor: createSuccessfulRemoteDataObject$({ sortOptions: [sortOption]})
 });
 const configurationParam = 'default';
 const queryParam = 'test query';
@@ -181,4 +183,24 @@ describe('SearchComponent', () => {
     });
 
   });
+
+  describe('when stable', () => {
+
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+    });
+
+    it('should have initialized the sortOptions$ observable', (done) => {
+
+      comp.sortOptions$.subscribe((sortOptions) => {
+
+        expect(sortOptions.length).toEqual(2);
+        expect(sortOptions[0]).toEqual(new SortOptions('score', SortDirection.ASC));
+        expect(sortOptions[1]).toEqual(new SortOptions('score', SortDirection.DESC));
+        done();
+      });
+
+    });
+
+  });
 });
diff --git a/src/app/+search-page/search.component.ts b/src/app/+search-page/search.component.ts
index 84077ebdc8..b817c82a57 100644
--- a/src/app/+search-page/search.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/+search-page/search.component.ts
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 import { ChangeDetectionStrategy, Component, Inject, Input, OnInit } from '@angular/core';
 import { BehaviorSubject, Observable, Subscription } from 'rxjs';
-import { startWith, switchMap, } from 'rxjs/operators';
+import { startWith, switchMap } from 'rxjs/operators';
 import { PaginatedList } from '../core/data/paginated-list.model';
 import { RemoteData } from '../core/data/remote-data';
 import { DSpaceObject } from '../core/shared/dspace-object.model';
 import { pushInOut } from '../shared/animations/push';
 import { HostWindowService } from '../shared/host-window.service';
 import { SidebarService } from '../shared/sidebar/sidebar.service';
-import { hasValue, isNotEmpty } from '../shared/empty.util';
+import { hasValue, isEmpty } from '../shared/empty.util';
 import { getFirstSucceededRemoteData } from '../core/shared/operators';
 import { RouteService } from '../core/services/route.service';
 import { SEARCH_CONFIG_SERVICE } from '../+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-page.component';
@@ -16,8 +16,9 @@ import { SearchResult } from '../shared/search/search-result.model';
 import { SearchConfigurationService } from '../core/shared/search/search-configuration.service';
 import { SearchService } from '../core/shared/search/search.service';
 import { currentPath } from '../shared/utils/route.utils';
-import { Router } from '@angular/router';
+import { Router} from '@angular/router';
 import { Context } from '../core/shared/context.model';
+import { SortOptions } from '../core/cache/models/sort-options.model';
 
 @Component({
   selector: 'ds-search',
@@ -47,6 +48,11 @@ export class SearchComponent implements OnInit {
    */
   searchOptions$: Observable<PaginatedSearchOptions>;
 
+  /**
+   * The current available sort options
+   */
+  sortOptions$: Observable<SortOptions[]>;
+
   /**
    * The current relevant scopes
    */
@@ -129,9 +135,15 @@ export class SearchComponent implements OnInit {
     this.scopeListRD$ = this.searchConfigService.getCurrentScope('').pipe(
       switchMap((scopeId) => this.service.getScopes(scopeId))
     );
-    if (!isNotEmpty(this.configuration$)) {
-      this.configuration$ = this.routeService.getRouteParameterValue('configuration');
+    if (isEmpty(this.configuration$)) {
+      this.configuration$ = this.searchConfigService.getCurrentConfiguration('default');
     }
+
+    const searchConfig$ = this.searchConfigService.getConfigurationSearchConfigObservable(this.configuration$, this.service);
+
+    this.sortOptions$ = this.searchConfigService.getConfigurationSortOptionsObservable(searchConfig$);
+    this.searchConfigService.initializeSortOptionsFromConfiguration(searchConfig$);
+
   }
 
   /**
diff --git a/src/app/access-control/group-registry/group-form/group-form.component.spec.ts b/src/app/access-control/group-registry/group-form/group-form.component.spec.ts
index d213a071d7..5f0f570044 100644
--- a/src/app/access-control/group-registry/group-form/group-form.component.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/access-control/group-registry/group-form/group-form.component.spec.ts
@@ -210,4 +210,11 @@ describe('GroupFormComponent', () => {
     });
   });
 
+  describe('ngOnDestroy', () => {
+    it('does NOT call router.navigate', () => {
+      component.ngOnDestroy();
+      expect(router.navigate).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0);
+    });
+  });
+
 });
diff --git a/src/app/access-control/group-registry/group-form/group-form.component.ts b/src/app/access-control/group-registry/group-form/group-form.component.ts
index 9b74d26fe8..c2c694f445 100644
--- a/src/app/access-control/group-registry/group-form/group-form.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/access-control/group-registry/group-form/group-form.component.ts
@@ -405,7 +405,7 @@ export class GroupFormComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
    */
   @HostListener('window:beforeunload')
   ngOnDestroy(): void {
-    this.onCancel();
+    this.groupDataService.cancelEditGroup();
     this.subs.filter((sub) => hasValue(sub)).forEach((sub) => sub.unsubscribe());
   }
 
diff --git a/src/app/core/core.module.ts b/src/app/core/core.module.ts
index 619a7dbadc..615c2b3977 100644
--- a/src/app/core/core.module.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/core.module.ts
@@ -161,6 +161,7 @@ import { ShortLivedToken } from './auth/models/short-lived-token.model';
 import { UsageReport } from './statistics/models/usage-report.model';
 import { RootDataService } from './data/root-data.service';
 import { Root } from './data/root.model';
+import { SearchConfig } from './shared/search/search-filters/search-config.model';
 
 /**
  * When not in production, endpoint responses can be mocked for testing purposes
@@ -340,6 +341,7 @@ export const models =
     Registration,
     UsageReport,
     Root,
+    SearchConfig
   ];
 
 @NgModule({
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/search/search-configuration.service.spec.ts b/src/app/core/shared/search/search-configuration.service.spec.ts
index 061182c2fc..805ecd0486 100644
--- a/src/app/core/shared/search/search-configuration.service.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/search/search-configuration.service.spec.ts
@@ -23,7 +23,10 @@ describe('SearchConfigurationService', () => {
     scope: ''
   });
 
-  const backendFilters = [new SearchFilter('f.author', ['another value']), new SearchFilter('f.date', ['[2013 TO 2018]'])];
+  const backendFilters = [
+    new SearchFilter('f.author', ['another value']),
+    new SearchFilter('f.date', ['[2013 TO 2018]'], 'equals')
+  ];
 
   const routeService = jasmine.createSpyObj('RouteService', {
     getQueryParameterValue: observableOf(value1),
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/search/search-configuration.service.ts b/src/app/core/shared/search/search-configuration.service.ts
index 798a0de287..74af230810 100644
--- a/src/app/core/shared/search/search-configuration.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/search/search-configuration.service.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,15 @@
 import { Injectable, OnDestroy } from '@angular/core';
 import { ActivatedRoute, Params } from '@angular/router';
 
-import { BehaviorSubject, combineLatest as observableCombineLatest, merge as observableMerge, Observable, Subscription } from 'rxjs';
-import { filter, map, startWith } from 'rxjs/operators';
+import {
+  BehaviorSubject,
+  combineLatest,
+  combineLatest as observableCombineLatest,
+  merge as observableMerge,
+  Observable,
+  Subscription
+} from 'rxjs';
+import { distinctUntilChanged, filter, map, startWith, switchMap, take } from 'rxjs/operators';
 import { PaginationComponentOptions } from '../../../shared/pagination/pagination-component-options.model';
 import { SearchOptions } from '../../../shared/search/search-options.model';
 import { PaginatedSearchOptions } from '../../../shared/search/paginated-search-options.model';
@@ -11,9 +18,15 @@ import { RemoteData } from '../../data/remote-data';
 import { DSpaceObjectType } from '../dspace-object-type.model';
 import { SortDirection, SortOptions } from '../../cache/models/sort-options.model';
 import { RouteService } from '../../services/route.service';
-import { getFirstSucceededRemoteData } from '../operators';
+import {
+  getAllSucceededRemoteDataPayload,
+  getFirstSucceededRemoteData
+} from '../operators';
 import { hasNoValue, hasValue, isNotEmpty, isNotEmptyOperator } from '../../../shared/empty.util';
 import { createSuccessfulRemoteDataObject$ } from '../../../shared/remote-data.utils';
+import { SearchConfig } from './search-filters/search-config.model';
+import { SearchService } from './search.service';
+import { of } from 'rxjs/internal/observable/of';
 import { PaginationService } from '../../pagination/pagination.service';
 
 /**
@@ -168,7 +181,7 @@ export class SearchConfigurationService implements OnDestroy {
             if (hasNoValue(filters.find((f) => f.key === realKey))) {
               const min = filterParams[realKey + '.min'] ? filterParams[realKey + '.min'][0] : '*';
               const max = filterParams[realKey + '.max'] ? filterParams[realKey + '.max'][0] : '*';
-              filters.push(new SearchFilter(realKey, ['[' + min + ' TO ' + max + ']']));
+              filters.push(new SearchFilter(realKey, ['[' + min + ' TO ' + max + ']'], 'equals'));
             }
           } else {
             filters.push(new SearchFilter(key, filterParams[key]));
@@ -194,6 +207,60 @@ export class SearchConfigurationService implements OnDestroy {
     return this.routeService.getQueryParamsWithPrefix('f.');
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Creates an observable of SearchConfig every time the configuration$ stream emits.
+   * @param configuration$
+   * @param service
+   */
+  getConfigurationSearchConfigObservable(configuration$: Observable<string>, service: SearchService): Observable<SearchConfig> {
+    return configuration$.pipe(
+      distinctUntilChanged(),
+      switchMap((configuration) => service.getSearchConfigurationFor(null, configuration)),
+      getAllSucceededRemoteDataPayload());
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Every time searchConfig change (after a configuration change) it update the navigation with the default sort option
+   * and emit the new paginateSearchOptions value.
+   * @param configuration$
+   * @param service
+   */
+  initializeSortOptionsFromConfiguration(searchConfig$: Observable<SearchConfig>) {
+    const subscription = searchConfig$.pipe(switchMap((searchConfig) => combineLatest([
+      of(searchConfig),
+      this.paginatedSearchOptions.pipe(take(1))
+    ]))).subscribe(([searchConfig, searchOptions]) => {
+      const field = searchConfig.sortOptions[0].name;
+      const direction = searchConfig.sortOptions[0].sortOrder.toLowerCase() === SortDirection.ASC.toLowerCase() ? SortDirection.ASC : SortDirection.DESC;
+      const updateValue = Object.assign(new PaginatedSearchOptions({}), searchOptions, {
+        sort: new SortOptions(field, direction)
+      });
+      this.paginationService.updateRoute(this.paginationID,
+        {
+          sortDirection: updateValue.sort.direction,
+          sortField: updateValue.sort.field,
+        });
+      this.paginatedSearchOptions.next(updateValue);
+    });
+    this.subs.push(subscription);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Creates an observable of available SortOptions[] every time the searchConfig$ stream emits.
+   * @param searchConfig$
+   * @param service
+   */
+  getConfigurationSortOptionsObservable(searchConfig$: Observable<SearchConfig>): Observable<SortOptions[]> {
+    return searchConfig$.pipe(map((searchConfig) => {
+      const sortOptions = [];
+      searchConfig.sortOptions.forEach(sortOption => {
+        sortOptions.push(new SortOptions(sortOption.name, SortDirection.ASC));
+        sortOptions.push(new SortOptions(sortOption.name, SortDirection.DESC));
+      });
+      return sortOptions;
+    }));
+  }
+
   /**
    * Sets up a subscription to all necessary parameters to make sure the searchOptions emits a new value every time they update
    * @param {SearchOptions} defaults Default values for when no parameters are available
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/search/search-filters/search-config.model.ts b/src/app/core/shared/search/search-filters/search-config.model.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..725761fe7b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/search/search-filters/search-config.model.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+import { autoserialize, deserialize } from 'cerialize';
+
+import { SEARCH_CONFIG } from './search-config.resource-type';
+import { typedObject } from '../../../cache/builders/build-decorators';
+import { CacheableObject } from '../../../cache/object-cache.reducer';
+import { HALLink } from '../../hal-link.model';
+import { ResourceType } from '../../resource-type';
+
+/**
+ * The configuration for a search
+ */
+@typedObject
+export class SearchConfig implements CacheableObject {
+  static type = SEARCH_CONFIG;
+
+  /**
+   * The id of this search configuration.
+   */
+  @autoserialize
+  id: string;
+
+  /**
+   * The configured filters.
+   */
+  @autoserialize
+  filters: FilterConfig[];
+
+  /**
+   * The configured sort options.
+   */
+  @autoserialize
+  sortOptions: SortOption[];
+
+  /**
+   * The object type.
+   */
+  @autoserialize
+  type: ResourceType;
+
+  /**
+   * The {@link HALLink}s for this Item
+   */
+  @deserialize
+  _links: {
+    facets: HALLink;
+    objects: HALLink;
+    self: HALLink;
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Interface to model filter's configuration.
+ */
+export interface FilterConfig {
+  filter: string;
+  hasFacets: boolean;
+  operators: OperatorConfig[];
+  openByDefault: boolean;
+  pageSize: number;
+  type: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Interface to model sort option's configuration.
+ */
+export interface SortOption {
+  name: string;
+  sortOrder: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Interface to model operator's configuration.
+ */
+export interface OperatorConfig {
+  operator: string;
+}
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/search/search-filters/search-config.resource-type.ts b/src/app/core/shared/search/search-filters/search-config.resource-type.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..967a654006
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/search/search-filters/search-config.resource-type.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+import {ResourceType} from '../../resource-type';
+
+/**
+ * The resource type for SearchConfig
+ *
+ * Needs to be in a separate file to prevent circular
+ * dependencies in webpack.
+ */
+export const SEARCH_CONFIG = new ResourceType('discover');
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/search/search.service.spec.ts b/src/app/core/shared/search/search.service.spec.ts
index 60cb0a87b9..00f10230c3 100644
--- a/src/app/core/shared/search/search.service.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/search/search.service.spec.ts
@@ -240,5 +240,55 @@ describe('SearchService', () => {
         expect((searchService as any).requestService.send).toHaveBeenCalledWith(jasmine.objectContaining({ href: requestUrl }), true);
       });
     });
+
+    describe('when getSearchConfigurationFor is called without a scope', () => {
+      const endPoint = 'http://endpoint.com/test/config';
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        spyOn((searchService as any).halService, 'getEndpoint').and.returnValue(observableOf(endPoint));
+        spyOn((searchService as any).rdb, 'buildFromHref').and.callThrough();
+        /* tslint:disable:no-empty */
+        searchService.getSearchConfigurationFor(null).subscribe((t) => {
+        }); // subscribe to make sure all methods are called
+        /* tslint:enable:no-empty */
+      });
+
+      it('should call getEndpoint on the halService', () => {
+        expect((searchService as any).halService.getEndpoint).toHaveBeenCalled();
+      });
+
+      it('should send out the request on the request service', () => {
+        expect((searchService as any).requestService.send).toHaveBeenCalled();
+      });
+
+      it('should call send containing a request with the correct request url', () => {
+        expect((searchService as any).requestService.send).toHaveBeenCalledWith(jasmine.objectContaining({ href: endPoint }), true);
+      });
+    });
+
+    describe('when getSearchConfigurationFor is called with a scope', () => {
+      const endPoint = 'http://endpoint.com/test/config';
+      const scope = 'test';
+      const requestUrl = endPoint + '?scope=' + scope;
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        spyOn((searchService as any).halService, 'getEndpoint').and.returnValue(observableOf(endPoint));
+        /* tslint:disable:no-empty */
+        searchService.getSearchConfigurationFor(scope).subscribe((t) => {
+        }); // subscribe to make sure all methods are called
+        /* tslint:enable:no-empty */
+      });
+
+      it('should call getEndpoint on the halService', () => {
+        expect((searchService as any).halService.getEndpoint).toHaveBeenCalled();
+      });
+
+      it('should send out the request on the request service', () => {
+        expect((searchService as any).requestService.send).toHaveBeenCalled();
+      });
+
+      it('should call send containing a request with the correct request url', () => {
+        expect((searchService as any).requestService.send).toHaveBeenCalledWith(jasmine.objectContaining({ href: requestUrl }), true);
+      });
+    });
+
   });
 });
diff --git a/src/app/core/shared/search/search.service.ts b/src/app/core/shared/search/search.service.ts
index 054bde4c08..9cb284db32 100644
--- a/src/app/core/shared/search/search.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/shared/search/search.service.ts
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ import { ListableObject } from '../../../shared/object-collection/shared/listabl
 import { getSearchResultFor } from '../../../shared/search/search-result-element-decorator';
 import { FacetConfigResponse } from '../../../shared/search/facet-config-response.model';
 import { FacetValues } from '../../../shared/search/facet-values.model';
+import { SearchConfig } from './search-filters/search-config.model';
 import { PaginationService } from '../../pagination/pagination.service';
 import { SearchConfigurationService } from './search-configuration.service';
 import { PaginationComponentOptions } from '../../../shared/pagination/pagination-component-options.model';
@@ -46,6 +47,12 @@ import { PaginationComponentOptions } from '../../../shared/pagination/paginatio
  */
 @Injectable()
 export class SearchService implements OnDestroy {
+
+  /**
+   * Endpoint link path for retrieving search configurations
+   */
+  private configurationLinkPath = 'discover/search';
+
   /**
    * Endpoint link path for retrieving general search results
    */
@@ -229,6 +236,24 @@ export class SearchService implements OnDestroy {
     );
   }
 
+  private getConfigUrl(url: string, scope?: string, configurationName?: string) {
+    const args: string[] = [];
+
+    if (isNotEmpty(scope)) {
+      args.push(`scope=${scope}`);
+    }
+
+    if (isNotEmpty(configurationName)) {
+      args.push(`configuration=${configurationName}`);
+    }
+
+    if (isNotEmpty(args)) {
+      url = new URLCombiner(url, `?${args.join('&')}`).toString();
+    }
+
+    return url;
+  }
+
   /**
    * Request the filter configuration for a given scope or the whole repository
    * @param {string} scope UUID of the object for which config the filter config is requested, when no scope is provided the configuration for the whole repository is loaded
@@ -237,33 +262,17 @@ export class SearchService implements OnDestroy {
    */
   getConfig(scope?: string, configurationName?: string): Observable<RemoteData<SearchFilterConfig[]>> {
     const href$ = this.halService.getEndpoint(this.facetLinkPathPrefix).pipe(
-      map((url: string) => {
-        const args: string[] = [];
-
-        if (isNotEmpty(scope)) {
-          args.push(`scope=${scope}`);
-        }
-
-        if (isNotEmpty(configurationName)) {
-          args.push(`configuration=${configurationName}`);
-        }
-
-        if (isNotEmpty(args)) {
-          url = new URLCombiner(url, `?${args.join('&')}`).toString();
-        }
-
-        return url;
-      }),
+      map((url: string) => this.getConfigUrl(url, scope, configurationName)),
     );
 
     href$.pipe(take(1)).subscribe((url: string) => {
-        let request = new this.request(this.requestService.generateRequestId(), url);
-        request = Object.assign(request, {
-          getResponseParser(): GenericConstructor<ResponseParsingService> {
-            return FacetConfigResponseParsingService;
-          }
-        });
-        this.requestService.send(request, true);
+      let request = new this.request(this.requestService.generateRequestId(), url);
+      request = Object.assign(request, {
+        getResponseParser(): GenericConstructor<ResponseParsingService> {
+          return FacetConfigResponseParsingService;
+        }
+      });
+      this.requestService.send(request, true);
     });
 
     return this.rdb.buildFromHref(href$).pipe(
@@ -398,6 +407,25 @@ export class SearchService implements OnDestroy {
       });
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Request the search configuration for a given scope or the whole repository
+   * @param {string} scope UUID of the object for which config the filter config is requested, when no scope is provided the configuration for the whole repository is loaded
+   * @param {string} configurationName the name of the configuration
+   * @returns {Observable<RemoteData<SearchConfig[]>>} The found configuration
+   */
+  getSearchConfigurationFor(scope?: string, configurationName?: string ): Observable<RemoteData<SearchConfig>> {
+    const href$ = this.halService.getEndpoint(this.configurationLinkPath).pipe(
+      map((url: string) => this.getConfigUrl(url, scope, configurationName)),
+    );
+
+    href$.pipe(take(1)).subscribe((url: string) => {
+      const request = new this.request(this.requestService.generateRequestId(), url);
+      this.requestService.send(request, true);
+    });
+
+    return this.rdb.buildFromHref(href$);
+  }
+
   /**
    * @returns {string} The base path to the search page
    */
diff --git a/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/authorized-collection-selector/authorized-collection-selector.component.spec.ts b/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/authorized-collection-selector/authorized-collection-selector.component.spec.ts
index 23b0367b22..55634dbf7f 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/authorized-collection-selector/authorized-collection-selector.component.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/authorized-collection-selector/authorized-collection-selector.component.spec.ts
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import { createSuccessfulRemoteDataObject$ } from '../../../remote-data.utils';
 import { createPaginatedList } from '../../../testing/utils.test';
 import { Collection } from '../../../../core/shared/collection.model';
 import { DSpaceObjectType } from '../../../../core/shared/dspace-object-type.model';
+import { NotificationsService } from '../../../notifications/notifications.service';
 
 describe('AuthorizedCollectionSelectorComponent', () => {
   let component: AuthorizedCollectionSelectorComponent;
@@ -18,6 +19,8 @@ describe('AuthorizedCollectionSelectorComponent', () => {
   let collectionService;
   let collection;
 
+  let notificationsService: NotificationsService;
+
   beforeEach(waitForAsync(() => {
     collection = Object.assign(new Collection(), {
       id: 'authorized-collection'
@@ -25,12 +28,14 @@ describe('AuthorizedCollectionSelectorComponent', () => {
     collectionService = jasmine.createSpyObj('collectionService', {
       getAuthorizedCollection: createSuccessfulRemoteDataObject$(createPaginatedList([collection]))
     });
+    notificationsService = jasmine.createSpyObj('notificationsService', ['error']);
     TestBed.configureTestingModule({
       declarations: [AuthorizedCollectionSelectorComponent, VarDirective],
       imports: [TranslateModule.forRoot(), RouterTestingModule.withRoutes([])],
       providers: [
         { provide: SearchService, useValue: {} },
-        { provide: CollectionDataService, useValue: collectionService }
+        { provide: CollectionDataService, useValue: collectionService },
+        { provide: NotificationsService, useValue: notificationsService },
       ],
       schemas: [NO_ERRORS_SCHEMA]
     }).compileComponents();
@@ -45,10 +50,10 @@ describe('AuthorizedCollectionSelectorComponent', () => {
 
   describe('search', () => {
     it('should call getAuthorizedCollection and return the authorized collection in a SearchResult', (done) => {
-      component.search('', 1).subscribe((result) => {
+      component.search('', 1).subscribe((resultRD) => {
         expect(collectionService.getAuthorizedCollection).toHaveBeenCalled();
-        expect(result.page.length).toEqual(1);
-        expect(result.page[0].indexableObject).toEqual(collection);
+        expect(resultRD.payload.page.length).toEqual(1);
+        expect(resultRD.payload.page[0].indexableObject).toEqual(collection);
         done();
       });
     });
diff --git a/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/authorized-collection-selector/authorized-collection-selector.component.ts b/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/authorized-collection-selector/authorized-collection-selector.component.ts
index c15d0e2821..bca1727542 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/authorized-collection-selector/authorized-collection-selector.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/authorized-collection-selector/authorized-collection-selector.component.ts
@@ -3,13 +3,17 @@ import { DSOSelectorComponent } from '../dso-selector.component';
 import { SearchService } from '../../../../core/shared/search/search.service';
 import { CollectionDataService } from '../../../../core/data/collection-data.service';
 import { Observable } from 'rxjs/internal/Observable';
-import { getFirstSucceededRemoteDataPayload } from '../../../../core/shared/operators';
+import { getFirstCompletedRemoteData } from '../../../../core/shared/operators';
 import { map } from 'rxjs/operators';
 import { CollectionSearchResult } from '../../../object-collection/shared/collection-search-result.model';
 import { SearchResult } from '../../../search/search-result.model';
 import { DSpaceObject } from '../../../../core/shared/dspace-object.model';
 import { buildPaginatedList, PaginatedList } from '../../../../core/data/paginated-list.model';
 import { followLink } from '../../../utils/follow-link-config.model';
+import { RemoteData } from '../../../../core/data/remote-data';
+import { hasValue } from '../../../empty.util';
+import { NotificationsService } from '../../../notifications/notifications.service';
+import { TranslateService } from '@ngx-translate/core';
 
 @Component({
   selector: 'ds-authorized-collection-selector',
@@ -21,8 +25,10 @@ import { followLink } from '../../../utils/follow-link-config.model';
  */
 export class AuthorizedCollectionSelectorComponent extends DSOSelectorComponent {
   constructor(protected searchService: SearchService,
-              protected collectionDataService: CollectionDataService) {
-    super(searchService);
+              protected collectionDataService: CollectionDataService,
+              protected notifcationsService: NotificationsService,
+              protected translate: TranslateService) {
+    super(searchService, notifcationsService, translate);
   }
 
   /**
@@ -37,13 +43,15 @@ export class AuthorizedCollectionSelectorComponent extends DSOSelectorComponent
    * @param query Query to search objects for
    * @param page  Page to retrieve
    */
-  search(query: string, page: number): Observable<PaginatedList<SearchResult<DSpaceObject>>> {
+  search(query: string, page: number): Observable<RemoteData<PaginatedList<SearchResult<DSpaceObject>>>> {
     return this.collectionDataService.getAuthorizedCollection(query, Object.assign({
       currentPage: page,
       elementsPerPage: this.defaultPagination.pageSize
     }),true, false, followLink('parentCommunity')).pipe(
-      getFirstSucceededRemoteDataPayload(),
-      map((list) => buildPaginatedList(list.pageInfo, list.page.map((col) => Object.assign(new CollectionSearchResult(), { indexableObject: col }))))
+      getFirstCompletedRemoteData(),
+      map((rd) => Object.assign(new RemoteData(null, null, null, null), rd, {
+        payload: hasValue(rd.payload) ? buildPaginatedList(rd.payload.pageInfo, rd.payload.page.map((col) => Object.assign(new CollectionSearchResult(), { indexableObject: col }))) : null,
+      }))
     );
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/dso-selector.component.html b/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/dso-selector.component.html
index 0e914a3783..122f37b031 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/dso-selector.component.html
+++ b/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/dso-selector.component.html
@@ -10,24 +10,26 @@
   <div
     infiniteScroll
     [infiniteScrollDistance]="1"
-    [infiniteScrollThrottle]="300"
+    [infiniteScrollThrottle]="0"
     [infiniteScrollContainer]="'.scrollable-menu'"
     [fromRoot]="true"
     (scrolled)="onScrollDown()">
-    <button class="list-group-item list-group-item-action border-0 disabled"
-            *ngIf="listEntries.length == 0">
+    <ng-container *ngIf="listEntries">
+      <button class="list-group-item list-group-item-action border-0 disabled"
+              *ngIf="listEntries.length == 0">
         {{'dso-selector.no-results' | translate: { type: typesString } }}
-    </button>
-    <button *ngFor="let listEntry of listEntries"
-            class="list-group-item list-group-item-action border-0 list-entry"
-            [ngClass]="{'bg-primary': listEntry.indexableObject.id === currentDSOId}"
-            title="{{ listEntry.indexableObject.name }}"
-            dsHoverClass="ds-hover"
-            (click)="onSelect.emit(listEntry.indexableObject)" #listEntryElement>
-      <ds-listable-object-component-loader [object]="listEntry" [viewMode]="viewMode"
-                                           [linkType]=linkTypes.None [context]="getContext(listEntry.indexableObject.id)"></ds-listable-object-component-loader>
-    </button>
-    <button *ngIf="hasNextPage"
+      </button>
+      <button *ngFor="let listEntry of listEntries"
+              class="list-group-item list-group-item-action border-0 list-entry"
+              [ngClass]="{'bg-primary': listEntry.indexableObject.id === currentDSOId}"
+              title="{{ listEntry.indexableObject.name }}"
+              dsHoverClass="ds-hover"
+              (click)="onSelect.emit(listEntry.indexableObject)" #listEntryElement>
+        <ds-listable-object-component-loader [object]="listEntry" [viewMode]="viewMode"
+                                             [linkType]=linkTypes.None [context]="getContext(listEntry.indexableObject.id)"></ds-listable-object-component-loader>
+      </button>
+    </ng-container>
+    <button *ngIf="loading"
             class="list-group-item list-group-item-action border-0 list-entry">
       <ds-loading [showMessage]="false"></ds-loading>
     </button>
diff --git a/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/dso-selector.component.spec.ts b/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/dso-selector.component.spec.ts
index 11418cfcf2..9e68c0564b 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/dso-selector.component.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/dso-selector.component.spec.ts
@@ -6,10 +6,11 @@ import { SearchService } from '../../../core/shared/search/search.service';
 import { DSpaceObjectType } from '../../../core/shared/dspace-object-type.model';
 import { ItemSearchResult } from '../../object-collection/shared/item-search-result.model';
 import { Item } from '../../../core/shared/item.model';
-import { createSuccessfulRemoteDataObject$ } from '../../remote-data.utils';
+import { createFailedRemoteDataObject$, createSuccessfulRemoteDataObject$ } from '../../remote-data.utils';
 import { PaginatedSearchOptions } from '../../search/paginated-search-options.model';
 import { hasValue } from '../../empty.util';
 import { createPaginatedList } from '../../testing/utils.test';
+import { NotificationsService } from '../../notifications/notifications.service';
 
 describe('DSOSelectorComponent', () => {
   let component: DSOSelectorComponent;
@@ -59,12 +60,17 @@ describe('DSOSelectorComponent', () => {
     });
   }
 
+  let notificationsService: NotificationsService;
+
   beforeEach(waitForAsync(() => {
+    notificationsService = jasmine.createSpyObj('notificationsService', ['error']);
+
     TestBed.configureTestingModule({
       imports: [TranslateModule.forRoot()],
       declarations: [DSOSelectorComponent],
       providers: [
         { provide: SearchService, useValue: searchService },
+        { provide: NotificationsService, useValue: notificationsService },
       ],
       schemas: [NO_ERRORS_SCHEMA]
     }).compileComponents();
@@ -104,4 +110,15 @@ describe('DSOSelectorComponent', () => {
       });
     });
   });
+
+  describe('when search returns an error', () => {
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      spyOn(searchService, 'search').and.returnValue(createFailedRemoteDataObject$());
+      component.ngOnInit();
+    });
+
+    it('should display an error notification', () => {
+      expect(notificationsService.error).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+  });
 });
diff --git a/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/dso-selector.component.ts b/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/dso-selector.component.ts
index 23931bf42b..c62e0df763 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/dso-selector.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/dso-selector/dso-selector/dso-selector.component.ts
@@ -27,10 +27,13 @@ import { DSpaceObjectType } from '../../../core/shared/dspace-object-type.model'
 import { DSpaceObject } from '../../../core/shared/dspace-object.model';
 import { ViewMode } from '../../../core/shared/view-mode.model';
 import { Context } from '../../../core/shared/context.model';
-import { getFirstSucceededRemoteDataPayload } from '../../../core/shared/operators';
-import { hasValue, isEmpty, isNotEmpty } from '../../empty.util';
+import { getFirstCompletedRemoteData, getFirstSucceededRemoteDataPayload } from '../../../core/shared/operators';
+import { hasNoValue, hasValue, isEmpty, isNotEmpty } from '../../empty.util';
 import { PaginatedList, buildPaginatedList } from '../../../core/data/paginated-list.model';
 import { SearchResult } from '../../search/search-result.model';
+import { RemoteData } from '../../../core/data/remote-data';
+import { NotificationsService } from '../../notifications/notifications.service';
+import { TranslateService } from '@ngx-translate/core';
 
 @Component({
   selector: 'ds-dso-selector',
@@ -78,7 +81,7 @@ export class DSOSelectorComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
   /**
    * List with search results of DSpace objects for the current query
    */
-  listEntries: SearchResult<DSpaceObject>[] = [];
+  listEntries: SearchResult<DSpaceObject>[] = null;
 
   /**
    * The current page to load
@@ -93,9 +96,9 @@ export class DSOSelectorComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
   hasNextPage = false;
 
   /**
-   * Whether or not the list should be reset next time it receives a page to load
+   * Whether or not new results are currently loading
    */
-  resetList = false;
+  loading = false;
 
   /**
    * List of element references to all elements
@@ -123,7 +126,9 @@ export class DSOSelectorComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
    */
   public subs: Subscription[] = [];
 
-  constructor(protected searchService: SearchService) {
+  constructor(protected searchService: SearchService,
+              protected notifcationsService: NotificationsService,
+              protected translate: TranslateService) {
   }
 
   /**
@@ -136,7 +141,7 @@ export class DSOSelectorComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
     // Create an observable searching for the current DSO (return empty list if there's no current DSO)
     let currentDSOResult$;
     if (isNotEmpty(this.currentDSOId)) {
-      currentDSOResult$ = this.search(this.getCurrentDSOQuery(), 1);
+      currentDSOResult$ = this.search(this.getCurrentDSOQuery(), 1).pipe(getFirstSucceededRemoteDataPayload());
     } else {
       currentDSOResult$ = observableOf(buildPaginatedList(undefined, []));
     }
@@ -152,31 +157,41 @@ export class DSOSelectorComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
       this.currentPage$
     ).pipe(
       switchMap(([currentDSOResult, query, page]: [PaginatedList<SearchResult<DSpaceObject>>, string, number]) => {
+        this.loading = true;
         if (page === 1) {
           // The first page is loading, this means we should reset the list instead of adding to it
-          this.resetList = true;
+          this.listEntries = null;
         }
         return this.search(query, page).pipe(
-          map((list) => {
-            // If it's the first page and no query is entered, add the current DSO to the start of the list
-            // If no query is entered, filter out the current DSO from the results, as it'll be displayed at the start of the list already
-            list.page = [
-              ...((isEmpty(query) && page === 1) ? currentDSOResult.page : []),
-              ...list.page.filter((result) => isNotEmpty(query) || result.indexableObject.id !== this.currentDSOId)
-            ];
-            return list;
+          map((rd) => {
+            if (rd.hasSucceeded) {
+              // If it's the first page and no query is entered, add the current DSO to the start of the list
+              // If no query is entered, filter out the current DSO from the results, as it'll be displayed at the start of the list already
+              rd.payload.page = [
+                ...((isEmpty(query) && page === 1) ? currentDSOResult.page : []),
+                ...rd.payload.page.filter((result) => isNotEmpty(query) || result.indexableObject.id !== this.currentDSOId)
+              ];
+            } else if (rd.hasFailed) {
+              this.notifcationsService.error(this.translate.instant('dso-selector.error.title', { type: this.typesString }), rd.errorMessage);
+            }
+            return rd;
           })
         );
       })
-    ).subscribe((list) => {
-      if (this.resetList) {
-        this.listEntries = list.page;
-        this.resetList = false;
+    ).subscribe((rd) => {
+      this.loading = false;
+      if (rd.hasSucceeded) {
+        if (hasNoValue(this.listEntries)) {
+          this.listEntries = rd.payload.page;
+        } else {
+          this.listEntries.push(...rd.payload.page);
+        }
+        // Check if there are more pages available after the current one
+        this.hasNextPage = rd.payload.totalElements > this.listEntries.length;
       } else {
-        this.listEntries.push(...list.page);
+        this.listEntries = null;
+        this.hasNextPage = false;
       }
-      // Check if there are more pages available after the current one
-      this.hasNextPage = list.totalElements > this.listEntries.length;
     }));
   }
 
@@ -192,7 +207,7 @@ export class DSOSelectorComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
    * @param query Query to search objects for
    * @param page  Page to retrieve
    */
-  search(query: string, page: number): Observable<PaginatedList<SearchResult<DSpaceObject>>> {
+  search(query: string, page: number): Observable<RemoteData<PaginatedList<SearchResult<DSpaceObject>>>> {
     return this.searchService.search(
       new PaginatedSearchOptions({
         query: query,
@@ -202,7 +217,7 @@ export class DSOSelectorComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
         })
       })
     ).pipe(
-      getFirstSucceededRemoteDataPayload()
+      getFirstCompletedRemoteData()
     );
   }
 
@@ -210,7 +225,7 @@ export class DSOSelectorComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
    * When the user reaches the bottom of the page (or almost) and there's a next page available, increase the current page
    */
   onScrollDown() {
-    if (this.hasNextPage) {
+    if (this.hasNextPage && !this.loading) {
       this.currentPage$.next(this.currentPage$.value + 1);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/app/shared/form/builder/ds-dynamic-form-ui/relation-lookup-modal/dynamic-lookup-relation-modal.component.spec.ts b/src/app/shared/form/builder/ds-dynamic-form-ui/relation-lookup-modal/dynamic-lookup-relation-modal.component.spec.ts
index 47dd857d53..19d4760183 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/form/builder/ds-dynamic-form-ui/relation-lookup-modal/dynamic-lookup-relation-modal.component.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/form/builder/ds-dynamic-form-ui/relation-lookup-modal/dynamic-lookup-relation-modal.component.spec.ts
@@ -21,8 +21,6 @@ import { createPaginatedList } from '../../../../testing/utils.test';
 import { ExternalSourceService } from '../../../../../core/data/external-source.service';
 import { LookupRelationService } from '../../../../../core/data/lookup-relation.service';
 import { RemoteDataBuildService } from '../../../../../core/cache/builders/remote-data-build.service';
-import { SubmissionService } from '../../../../../submission/submission.service';
-import { SubmissionObjectDataService } from '../../../../../core/submission/submission-object-data.service';
 import { WorkspaceItem } from '../../../../../core/submission/models/workspaceitem.model';
 import { Collection } from '../../../../../core/shared/collection.model';
 
@@ -46,8 +44,6 @@ describe('DsDynamicLookupRelationModalComponent', () => {
   let lookupRelationService;
   let rdbService;
   let submissionId;
-  let submissionService;
-  let submissionObjectDataService;
 
   const externalSources = [
     Object.assign(new ExternalSource(), {
@@ -99,12 +95,6 @@ describe('DsDynamicLookupRelationModalComponent', () => {
     rdbService = jasmine.createSpyObj('rdbService', {
       aggregate: createSuccessfulRemoteDataObject$(externalSources)
     });
-    submissionService = jasmine.createSpyObj('SubmissionService', {
-      dispatchSave: jasmine.createSpy('dispatchSave')
-    });
-    submissionObjectDataService = jasmine.createSpyObj('SubmissionObjectDataService', {
-      findById: createSuccessfulRemoteDataObject$(testWSI)
-    });
     submissionId = '1234';
   }
 
@@ -129,8 +119,6 @@ describe('DsDynamicLookupRelationModalComponent', () => {
         },
         { provide: RelationshipTypeService, useValue: {} },
         { provide: RemoteDataBuildService, useValue: rdbService },
-        { provide: SubmissionService, useValue: submissionService },
-        { provide: SubmissionObjectDataService, useValue: submissionObjectDataService },
         {
           provide: Store, useValue: {
             // tslint:disable-next-line:no-empty
diff --git a/src/app/shared/form/builder/ds-dynamic-form-ui/relation-lookup-modal/dynamic-lookup-relation-modal.component.ts b/src/app/shared/form/builder/ds-dynamic-form-ui/relation-lookup-modal/dynamic-lookup-relation-modal.component.ts
index 4ed972b2fa..6d3b14d8e8 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/form/builder/ds-dynamic-form-ui/relation-lookup-modal/dynamic-lookup-relation-modal.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/form/builder/ds-dynamic-form-ui/relation-lookup-modal/dynamic-lookup-relation-modal.component.ts
@@ -12,11 +12,8 @@ import { RelationshipOptions } from '../../models/relationship-options.model';
 import { SearchResult } from '../../../../search/search-result.model';
 import { Item } from '../../../../../core/shared/item.model';
 import {
-  getAllSucceededRemoteData,
-  getAllSucceededRemoteDataPayload,
-  getRemoteDataPayload
-} from '../../../../../core/shared/operators';
-import { AddRelationshipAction, RemoveRelationshipAction, UpdateRelationshipNameVariantAction } from './relationship.actions';
+  AddRelationshipAction, RemoveRelationshipAction, UpdateRelationshipNameVariantAction,
+} from './relationship.actions';
 import { RelationshipService } from '../../../../../core/data/relationship.service';
 import { RelationshipTypeService } from '../../../../../core/data/relationship-type.service';
 import { Store } from '@ngrx/store';
@@ -27,12 +24,7 @@ import { ExternalSource } from '../../../../../core/shared/external-source.model
 import { ExternalSourceService } from '../../../../../core/data/external-source.service';
 import { Router } from '@angular/router';
 import { RemoteDataBuildService } from '../../../../../core/cache/builders/remote-data-build.service';
-import { followLink } from '../../../../utils/follow-link-config.model';
-import { SubmissionObject } from '../../../../../core/submission/models/submission-object.model';
-import { Collection } from '../../../../../core/shared/collection.model';
-import { SubmissionService } from '../../../../../submission/submission.service';
-import { SubmissionObjectDataService } from '../../../../../core/submission/submission-object-data.service';
-import { RemoteData } from '../../../../../core/data/remote-data';
+import { getAllSucceededRemoteDataPayload } from '../../../../../core/shared/operators';
 
 @Component({
   selector: 'ds-dynamic-lookup-relation-modal',
@@ -122,10 +114,6 @@ export class DsDynamicLookupRelationModalComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy
    */
   totalExternal$: Observable<number[]>;
 
-  /**
-   * List of subscriptions to unsubscribe from
-   */
-  private subs: Subscription[] = [];
 
   constructor(
     public modal: NgbActiveModal,
@@ -136,17 +124,14 @@ export class DsDynamicLookupRelationModalComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy
     private lookupRelationService: LookupRelationService,
     private searchConfigService: SearchConfigurationService,
     private rdbService: RemoteDataBuildService,
-    private submissionService: SubmissionService,
-    private submissionObjectService: SubmissionObjectDataService,
     private zone: NgZone,
     private store: Store<AppState>,
-    private router: Router
+    private router: Router,
   ) {
 
   }
 
   ngOnInit(): void {
-    this.setItem();
     this.selection$ = this.selectableListService
       .getSelectableList(this.listId)
       .pipe(map((listState: SelectableListState) => hasValue(listState) && hasValue(listState.selection) ? listState.selection : []));
@@ -206,24 +191,6 @@ export class DsDynamicLookupRelationModalComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy
       });
   }
 
-  /**
-   *  Initialize this.item$ based on this.model.submissionId
-   */
-  private setItem() {
-    const submissionObject$ = this.submissionObjectService
-      .findById(this.submissionId, true, true, followLink('item'), followLink('collection')).pipe(
-        getAllSucceededRemoteData(),
-        getRemoteDataPayload()
-      );
-
-    const item$ = submissionObject$.pipe(switchMap((submissionObject: SubmissionObject) => (submissionObject.item as Observable<RemoteData<Item>>).pipe(getAllSucceededRemoteData(), getRemoteDataPayload())));
-    const collection$ = submissionObject$.pipe(switchMap((submissionObject: SubmissionObject) => (submissionObject.collection as Observable<RemoteData<Collection>>).pipe(getAllSucceededRemoteData(), getRemoteDataPayload())));
-
-    this.subs.push(item$.subscribe((item) => this.item = item));
-    this.subs.push(collection$.subscribe((collection) => this.collection = collection));
-
-  }
-
   /**
    * Add a subscription updating relationships with name variants
    * @param sri The search result to track name variants for
@@ -279,8 +246,5 @@ export class DsDynamicLookupRelationModalComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy
   ngOnDestroy() {
     this.router.navigate([], {});
     Object.values(this.subMap).forEach((subscription) => subscription.unsubscribe());
-    this.subs
-      .filter((sub) => hasValue(sub))
-      .forEach((sub) => sub.unsubscribe());
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/shared/search/paginated-search-options.model.spec.ts b/src/app/shared/search/paginated-search-options.model.spec.ts
index b75d2b8fab..9881cc1149 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/search/paginated-search-options.model.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/search/paginated-search-options.model.spec.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,12 @@ describe('PaginatedSearchOptions', () => {
   let options: PaginatedSearchOptions;
   const sortOptions = new SortOptions('test.field', SortDirection.DESC);
   const pageOptions = Object.assign(new PaginationComponentOptions(), { pageSize: 40, page: 1 });
-  const filters = [new SearchFilter('f.test', ['value']), new SearchFilter('f.example', ['another value', 'second value'])];
+  const filters = [
+    new SearchFilter('f.test', ['value']),
+    new SearchFilter('f.example', ['another value', 'second value']), // should be split into two arguments, spaces should be URI-encoded
+    new SearchFilter('f.range', ['[2002 TO 2021]'], 'equals'),        // value should be URI-encoded, ',equals' should not
+  ];
+  const fixedFilter = 'f.fixed=1234,5678,equals';                     // '=' and ',equals' should not be URI-encoded
   const query = 'search query';
   const scope = '0fde1ecb-82cc-425a-b600-ac3576d76b47';
   const baseUrl = 'www.rest.com';
@@ -19,7 +24,8 @@ describe('PaginatedSearchOptions', () => {
       filters: filters,
       query: query,
       scope: scope,
-      dsoTypes: [DSpaceObjectType.ITEM]
+      dsoTypes: [DSpaceObjectType.ITEM],
+      fixedFilter: fixedFilter,
     });
   });
 
@@ -31,12 +37,14 @@ describe('PaginatedSearchOptions', () => {
         'sort=test.field,DESC&' +
         'page=0&' +
         'size=40&' +
-        'query=search query&' +
+        'f.fixed=1234%2C5678,equals&' +
+        'query=search%20query&' +
         'scope=0fde1ecb-82cc-425a-b600-ac3576d76b47&' +
         'dsoType=ITEM&' +
         'f.test=value&' +
-        'f.example=another value&' +
-        'f.example=second value'
+        'f.example=another%20value&' +
+        'f.example=second%20value&' +
+        'f.range=%5B2002%20TO%202021%5D,equals'
       );
     });
 
diff --git a/src/app/shared/search/search-filters/search-filter/search-filter.component.ts b/src/app/shared/search/search-filters/search-filter/search-filter.component.ts
index 76a8a0d323..31ace10a7d 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/search/search-filters/search-filter/search-filter.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/search/search-filters/search-filter/search-filter.component.ts
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ export class SearchFilterComponent implements OnInit {
   /**
    * True when the filter is 100% collapsed in the UI
    */
-  closed = true;
+  closed: boolean;
 
   /**
    * Emits true when the filter is currently collapsed in the store
diff --git a/src/app/shared/search/search-filters/search-filter/search-range-filter/search-range-filter.component.scss b/src/app/shared/search/search-filters/search-filter/search-range-filter/search-range-filter.component.scss
index 2b5029fce2..2c98280e7f 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/search/search-filters/search-filter/search-range-filter/search-range-filter.component.scss
+++ b/src/app/shared/search/search-filters/search-filter/search-range-filter/search-range-filter.component.scss
@@ -8,18 +8,16 @@
 
 ::ng-deep
 {
-  --ds-slider-handle-width: 18px;
-
     html:not([dir=rtl]) .noUi-horizontal .noUi-handle {
         right: calc(var(--ds-slider-handle-width) / -2);
     }
     .noUi-horizontal .noUi-handle {
         width: var(--ds-slider-handle-width);
         &:before {
-            left: calc(calc(calc(var(--ds-slider-handle-width) - 2) / 2) - 2);
+            left: calc(((var(--ds-slider-handle-width) - 2px) / 2) - 2px);
         }
         &:after {
-            left: calc(calc(calc(var(--ds-slider-handle-width) - 2) / 2) + 2);
+            left: calc(((var(--ds-slider-handle-width) - 2px) / 2) + 2px);
         }
         &:focus {
             outline: none;
diff --git a/src/app/shared/search/search-filters/search-filter/search-range-filter/search-range-filter.component.ts b/src/app/shared/search/search-filters/search-filter/search-range-filter/search-range-filter.component.ts
index c3139c0217..62b1cb98a6 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/search/search-filters/search-filter/search-range-filter/search-range-filter.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/search/search-filters/search-filter/search-range-filter/search-range-filter.component.ts
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ export class SearchRangeFilterComponent extends SearchFacetFilterComponent imple
   /**
    * Fallback maximum for the range
    */
-  max = 2018;
+  max = new Date().getFullYear();
 
   /**
    * The current range of the filter
diff --git a/src/app/shared/search/search-options.model.spec.ts b/src/app/shared/search/search-options.model.spec.ts
index 62fe732218..8bed046736 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/search/search-options.model.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/search/search-options.model.spec.ts
@@ -4,13 +4,25 @@ import { SearchFilter } from './search-filter.model';
 import { DSpaceObjectType } from '../../core/shared/dspace-object-type.model';
 
 describe('SearchOptions', () => {
-  let options: PaginatedSearchOptions;
-  const filters = [new SearchFilter('f.test', ['value']), new SearchFilter('f.example', ['another value', 'second value'])];
+  let options: SearchOptions;
+
+  const filters = [
+    new SearchFilter('f.test', ['value']),
+    new SearchFilter('f.example', ['another value', 'second value']), // should be split into two arguments, spaces should be URI-encoded
+    new SearchFilter('f.range', ['[2002 TO 2021]'], 'equals'),        // value should be URI-encoded, ',equals' should not
+  ];
+  const fixedFilter = 'f.fixed=1234,5678,equals';                    // '=' and ',equals' should not be URI-encoded
   const query = 'search query';
   const scope = '0fde1ecb-82cc-425a-b600-ac3576d76b47';
   const baseUrl = 'www.rest.com';
   beforeEach(() => {
-    options = new SearchOptions({ filters: filters, query: query, scope: scope, dsoTypes: [DSpaceObjectType.ITEM] });
+    options = new SearchOptions({
+      filters: filters,
+      query: query,
+      scope: scope,
+      dsoTypes: [DSpaceObjectType.ITEM],
+      fixedFilter: fixedFilter,
+    });
   });
 
   describe('when toRestUrl is called', () => {
@@ -18,12 +30,14 @@ describe('SearchOptions', () => {
     it('should generate a string with all parameters that are present', () => {
       const outcome = options.toRestUrl(baseUrl);
       expect(outcome).toEqual('www.rest.com?' +
-        'query=search query&' +
+        'f.fixed=1234%2C5678,equals&' +
+        'query=search%20query&' +
         'scope=0fde1ecb-82cc-425a-b600-ac3576d76b47&' +
         'dsoType=ITEM&' +
         'f.test=value&' +
-        'f.example=another value&' +
-        'f.example=second value'
+        'f.example=another%20value&' +
+        'f.example=second%20value&' +
+        'f.range=%5B2002%20TO%202021%5D,equals'
       );
     });
 
diff --git a/src/app/shared/search/search-options.model.ts b/src/app/shared/search/search-options.model.ts
index fb4e8d4caf..591e4fcb04 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/search/search-options.model.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/search/search-options.model.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { isNotEmpty } from '../empty.util';
+import { hasValue, isNotEmpty } from '../empty.util';
 import { URLCombiner } from '../../core/url-combiner/url-combiner';
 import { SearchFilter } from './search-filter.model';
 import { DSpaceObjectType } from '../../core/shared/dspace-object-type.model';
@@ -13,10 +13,15 @@ export class SearchOptions {
   scope?: string;
   query?: string;
   dsoTypes?: DSpaceObjectType[];
-  filters?: any;
-  fixedFilter?: any;
+  filters?: SearchFilter[];
+  fixedFilter?: string;
 
-  constructor(options: {configuration?: string, scope?: string, query?: string, dsoTypes?: DSpaceObjectType[], filters?: SearchFilter[], fixedFilter?: any}) {
+  constructor(
+    options: {
+      configuration?: string, scope?: string, query?: string, dsoTypes?: DSpaceObjectType[], filters?: SearchFilter[],
+      fixedFilter?: string
+    }
+  ) {
       this.configuration = options.configuration;
       this.scope = options.scope;
       this.query = options.query;
@@ -33,27 +38,27 @@ export class SearchOptions {
    */
   toRestUrl(url: string, args: string[] = []): string {
     if (isNotEmpty(this.configuration)) {
-      args.push(`configuration=${this.configuration}`);
+      args.push(`configuration=${encodeURIComponent(this.configuration)}`);
     }
     if (isNotEmpty(this.fixedFilter)) {
-      args.push(this.fixedFilter);
+      args.push(this.encodedFixedFilter);
     }
     if (isNotEmpty(this.query)) {
-      args.push(`query=${this.query}`);
+      args.push(`query=${encodeURIComponent(this.query)}`);
     }
     if (isNotEmpty(this.scope)) {
-      args.push(`scope=${this.scope}`);
+      args.push(`scope=${encodeURIComponent(this.scope)}`);
     }
     if (isNotEmpty(this.dsoTypes)) {
       this.dsoTypes.forEach((dsoType: string) => {
-        args.push(`dsoType=${dsoType}`);
+        args.push(`dsoType=${encodeURIComponent(dsoType)}`);
       });
     }
     if (isNotEmpty(this.filters)) {
       this.filters.forEach((filter: SearchFilter) => {
         filter.values.forEach((value) => {
           const filterValue = value.includes(',') ? `${value}` : value + (filter.operator ? ',' + filter.operator : '');
-          args.push(`${filter.key}=${filterValue}`);
+          args.push(`${filter.key}=${this.encodeFilterQueryValue(filterValue)}`);
         });
       });
     }
@@ -62,4 +67,28 @@ export class SearchOptions {
     }
     return url;
   }
+
+  get encodedFixedFilter(): string {
+    // expected format: 'arg=value'
+    //  -> split the query agument into (arg=)(value) and only encode 'value'
+    const match = this.fixedFilter.match(/^([^=]+=)(.+)$/);
+
+    if (hasValue(match)) {
+      return match[1] + this.encodeFilterQueryValue(match[2]);
+    } else {
+      return this.encodeFilterQueryValue(this.fixedFilter);
+    }
+  }
+
+  encodeFilterQueryValue(filterQueryValue: string): string {
+    // expected format: 'value' or 'value,operator'
+    //  -> split into (value)(,operator) and only encode 'value'
+    const match = filterQueryValue.match(/^(.*)(,\w+)$/);
+
+    if (hasValue(match)) {
+      return encodeURIComponent(match[1]) + match[2];
+    } else {
+      return encodeURIComponent(filterQueryValue);
+    }
+  }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/shared/search/search-settings/search-settings.component.html b/src/app/shared/search/search-settings/search-settings.component.html
index f6806e6843..a31678743d 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/search/search-settings/search-settings.component.html
+++ b/src/app/shared/search/search-settings/search-settings.component.html
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-<ng-container *ngVar="(searchOptions$ | async) as config">
+<ng-container *ngVar="searchOptions as config">
     <h3>{{ 'search.sidebar.settings.title' | translate}}</h3>
     <div class="result-order-settings">
     <ds-sidebar-dropdown
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
             [label]="'search.sidebar.settings.sort-by'"
             (change)="reloadOrder($event)"
     >
-        <option *ngFor="let sortOption of searchOptionPossibilities"
+        <option *ngFor="let sortOption of sortOptions"
                 [value]="sortOption.field + ',' + sortOption.direction.toString()"
                 [selected]="sortOption.field === config?.sort.field && sortOption.direction === (config?.sort.direction)? 'selected': null">
             {{'sorting.' + sortOption.field + '.' + sortOption.direction | translate}}
@@ -15,4 +15,4 @@
     </ds-sidebar-dropdown>
     </div>
     <ds-page-size-selector></ds-page-size-selector>
-</ng-container>
\ No newline at end of file
+</ng-container>
diff --git a/src/app/shared/search/search-settings/search-settings.component.spec.ts b/src/app/shared/search/search-settings/search-settings.component.spec.ts
index dff8935ef5..6c483a5bc4 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/search/search-settings/search-settings.component.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/search/search-settings/search-settings.component.spec.ts
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ import { EnumKeysPipe } from '../../utils/enum-keys-pipe';
 import { By } from '@angular/platform-browser';
 import { SearchFilterService } from '../../../core/shared/search/search-filter.service';
 import { VarDirective } from '../../utils/var.directive';
-import { take } from 'rxjs/operators';
 import { SEARCH_CONFIG_SERVICE } from '../../../+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-page.component';
 import { SidebarService } from '../../sidebar/sidebar.service';
 import { SidebarServiceStub } from '../../testing/sidebar-service.stub';
@@ -91,7 +90,7 @@ describe('SearchSettingsComponent', () => {
           provide: SEARCH_CONFIG_SERVICE,
           useValue: {
             paginatedSearchOptions: observableOf(paginatedSearchOptions),
-            getCurrentScope: observableOf('test-id')
+            getCurrentScope: observableOf('test-id'),
           }
         },
       ],
@@ -103,6 +102,14 @@ describe('SearchSettingsComponent', () => {
     fixture = TestBed.createComponent(SearchSettingsComponent);
     comp = fixture.componentInstance;
 
+    comp.sortOptions = [
+      new SortOptions('score', SortDirection.DESC),
+      new SortOptions('dc.title', SortDirection.ASC),
+      new SortOptions('dc.title', SortDirection.DESC)
+    ];
+
+    comp.searchOptions = paginatedSearchOptions;
+
     // SearchPageComponent test instance
     fixture.detectChanges();
     searchServiceObject = (comp as any).service;
@@ -111,34 +118,24 @@ describe('SearchSettingsComponent', () => {
 
   });
 
-  it('it should show the order settings with the respective selectable options', (done) => {
-    (comp as any).searchOptions$.pipe(take(1)).subscribe((options) => {
-      fixture.detectChanges();
-      const orderSetting = fixture.debugElement.query(By.css('div.result-order-settings'));
-      expect(orderSetting).toBeDefined();
-      const childElements = orderSetting.queryAll(By.css('option'));
-      expect(childElements.length).toEqual(comp.searchOptionPossibilities.length);
-      done();
-    });
+  it('it should show the order settings with the respective selectable options', () => {
+    fixture.detectChanges();
+    const orderSetting = fixture.debugElement.query(By.css('div.result-order-settings'));
+    expect(orderSetting).toBeDefined();
+    const childElements = orderSetting.queryAll(By.css('option'));
+    expect(childElements.length).toEqual(comp.sortOptions.length);
   });
 
-  it('it should show the size settings', (done) => {
-    (comp as any).searchOptions$.pipe(take(1)).subscribe((options) => {
-        fixture.detectChanges();
-        const pageSizeSetting = fixture.debugElement.query(By.css('page-size-settings'));
-        expect(pageSizeSetting).toBeDefined();
-        done();
-      }
-    );
+  it('it should show the size settings', () => {
+    fixture.detectChanges();
+    const pageSizeSetting = fixture.debugElement.query(By.css('page-size-settings'));
+    expect(pageSizeSetting).toBeDefined();
   });
 
-  it('should have the proper order value selected by default', (done) => {
-    (comp as any).searchOptions$.pipe(take(1)).subscribe((options) => {
-      fixture.detectChanges();
-      const orderSetting = fixture.debugElement.query(By.css('div.result-order-settings'));
-      const childElementToBeSelected = orderSetting.query(By.css('option[value="0"][selected="selected"]'));
-      expect(childElementToBeSelected).toBeDefined();
-      done();
-    });
+  it('should have the proper order value selected by default', () => {
+    fixture.detectChanges();
+    const orderSetting = fixture.debugElement.query(By.css('div.result-order-settings'));
+    const childElementToBeSelected = orderSetting.query(By.css('option[value="score,DESC"][selected="selected"]'));
+    expect(childElementToBeSelected).toBeDefined();
   });
 });
diff --git a/src/app/shared/search/search-settings/search-settings.component.ts b/src/app/shared/search/search-settings/search-settings.component.ts
index 2241fc6c6a..b9d86571f6 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/search/search-settings/search-settings.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/search/search-settings/search-settings.component.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
-import { Component, Inject, OnInit } from '@angular/core';
+import { Component, Inject, Input } from '@angular/core';
 import { SearchService } from '../../../core/shared/search/search.service';
 import { SortDirection, SortOptions } from '../../../core/cache/models/sort-options.model';
 import { ActivatedRoute, Router } from '@angular/router';
 import { PaginatedSearchOptions } from '../paginated-search-options.model';
-import { Observable } from 'rxjs';
 import { SearchConfigurationService } from '../../../core/shared/search/search-configuration.service';
 import { SEARCH_CONFIG_SERVICE } from '../../../+my-dspace-page/my-dspace-page.component';
 import { PaginationService } from '../../../core/pagination/pagination.service';
@@ -17,16 +16,17 @@ import { PaginationService } from '../../../core/pagination/pagination.service';
 /**
  * This component represents the part of the search sidebar that contains the general search settings.
  */
-export class SearchSettingsComponent implements OnInit {
+export class SearchSettingsComponent {
+
   /**
    * The configuration for the current paginated search results
    */
-  searchOptions$: Observable<PaginatedSearchOptions>;
+  @Input() searchOptions: PaginatedSearchOptions;
 
   /**
    * All sort options that are shown in the settings
    */
-  searchOptionPossibilities = [new SortOptions('score', SortDirection.DESC), new SortOptions('dc.title', SortDirection.ASC), new SortOptions('dc.title', SortDirection.DESC)];
+  @Input() sortOptions: SortOptions[];
 
   constructor(private service: SearchService,
               private route: ActivatedRoute,
@@ -35,13 +35,6 @@ export class SearchSettingsComponent implements OnInit {
               @Inject(SEARCH_CONFIG_SERVICE) public searchConfigurationService: SearchConfigurationService) {
   }
 
-  /**
-   * Initialize paginated search options
-   */
-  ngOnInit(): void {
-    this.searchOptions$ = this.searchConfigurationService.paginatedSearchOptions;
-  }
-
   /**
    * Method to change the current sort field and direction
    * @param {Event} event Change event containing the sort direction and sort field
diff --git a/src/app/shared/search/search-sidebar/search-sidebar.component.html b/src/app/shared/search/search-sidebar/search-sidebar.component.html
index 74abeadfd8..624d094d22 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/search/search-sidebar/search-sidebar.component.html
+++ b/src/app/shared/search/search-sidebar/search-sidebar.component.html
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
         <div class="sidebar-content">
             <ds-search-switch-configuration [inPlaceSearch]="inPlaceSearch" *ngIf="configurationList" [configurationList]="configurationList"></ds-search-switch-configuration>
             <ds-search-filters [refreshFilters]="refreshFilters" [inPlaceSearch]="inPlaceSearch"></ds-search-filters>
-            <ds-search-settings></ds-search-settings>
+            <ds-search-settings [searchOptions]="searchOptions" [sortOptions]="sortOptions"></ds-search-settings>
         </div>
     </div>
 </div>
diff --git a/src/app/shared/search/search-sidebar/search-sidebar.component.ts b/src/app/shared/search/search-sidebar/search-sidebar.component.ts
index 2060e0f345..7f134cacd3 100644
--- a/src/app/shared/search/search-sidebar/search-sidebar.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/shared/search/search-sidebar/search-sidebar.component.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ import { Component, EventEmitter, Input, Output } from '@angular/core';
 
 import { SearchConfigurationOption } from '../search-switch-configuration/search-configuration-option.model';
 import { Observable } from 'rxjs';
+import { PaginatedSearchOptions } from '../paginated-search-options.model';
+import { SortOptions } from '../../../core/cache/models/sort-options.model';
 
 /**
  * This component renders a simple item page.
@@ -45,6 +47,16 @@ export class SearchSidebarComponent {
    */
   @Input() inPlaceSearch;
 
+  /**
+   * The configuration for the current paginated search results
+   */
+  @Input() searchOptions: PaginatedSearchOptions;
+
+  /**
+   * All sort options that are shown in the settings
+   */
+  @Input() sortOptions: SortOptions[];
+
   /**
    * Emits when the search filters values may be stale, and so they must be refreshed.
    */
diff --git a/src/assets/i18n/en.json5 b/src/assets/i18n/en.json5
index bdec3bfb23..4c3317a0c0 100644
--- a/src/assets/i18n/en.json5
+++ b/src/assets/i18n/en.json5
@@ -1168,6 +1168,8 @@
 
   "dso-selector.edit.item.head": "Edit item",
 
+  "dso-selector.error.title": "An error occurred searching for a {{ type }}",
+
   "dso-selector.export-metadata.dspaceobject.head": "Export metadata from",
 
   "dso-selector.no-results": "No {{ type }} found",
@@ -3010,6 +3012,8 @@
   "search.results.empty": "Your search returned no results.",
 
 
+  "default.search.results.head": "Search Results",
+
 
   "search.sidebar.close": "Back to results",
 
@@ -3043,8 +3047,21 @@
 
   "sorting.dc.title.DESC": "Title Descending",
 
-  "sorting.score.DESC": "Relevance",
+  "sorting.score.ASC": "Least Relevant",
 
+  "sorting.score.DESC": "Most Relevant",
+
+  "sorting.dc.date.issued.ASC": "Date Issued Ascending",
+
+  "sorting.dc.date.issued.DESC": "Date Issued Descending",
+
+  "sorting.dc.date.accessioned.ASC": "Accessioned Date Ascending",
+
+  "sorting.dc.date.accessioned.DESC": "Accessioned Date Descending",
+
+  "sorting.lastModified.ASC": "Last modified Ascending",
+
+  "sorting.lastModified.DESC": "Last modified Descending",
 
 
   "statistics.title": "Statistics",
diff --git a/src/styles/_custom_variables.scss b/src/styles/_custom_variables.scss
index 56cf4abca9..298be09f67 100644
--- a/src/styles/_custom_variables.scss
+++ b/src/styles/_custom_variables.scss
@@ -78,4 +78,5 @@
   --ds-breadcrumb-link-active-color: #{darken($cyan, 30%)};
 
   --ds-slider-color: #{$green};
+  --ds-slider-handle-width: 18px;
 }