[en] A mean-field nuclear dynamics is investigated in the analysis of nuclear electromagnetic processes at low and intermediate (q, ω) transfers. The theoretical framework is a self-consistent HF-RPA theory with Skyrme forces formulated in the one-nucleon energy continuum. We review the results obtained in the Skyrme HF-RPA model by focusing on some specific aspects of the theoretical frame and discussing their incidence in the prediction of data. Main points of interest are: (i) the quasiparticle formulation of the Skyrme HF-RPA nuclear dynamics with the identification of a quasi-particle effective mass, (ii) the gauge-invariance of the Skyrme Hamiltonian which produces nuclear electromagnetic currents satisfying the continuity equation, (iii) the excitation and decay properties of the one-nucleon energy continuum. The problems dealt with in the discussion of experimental data are the following: the quasi-deuteron effect in (γ, p) and (γ, n) reactions of closed shell nuclei at energies E_γ≤300 MeV, Giant Multipole Resonances versus momentum transfer in inclusive (e, e' x) responses, the reaction mechanism in polarized ( vector e, e' x) angular distributions at q≤200 MeV/c, the evaluation of the missing strength in inclusive (e, e') longitudinal responses at high momentum transfer, final state interactions and missing momentum distributions in coincidence (e, e' p) reactions in the quasi-elastic region. (orig.)