Student Movement Research Articles

Nationalist Erosion after Protest and Repression

Abstract The leaders of authoritarian regimes often invoke nationalist themes to garner support from their populations. However, negative experiences with the regime may effectively inoculate individuals against nationalist campaigns, reducing the ability of the regime to sway public opinion. In this paper, we study the long-term effects of mobilization and repression on nationalist attitudes. We exploit a discontinuity in exposure to a student movement, by comparing alumni who were in college and on campus during the movement with alumni who only enrolled after the movement was suppressed. We find that alumni who were in college during the movement are substantially less nationalistic than those who enrolled shortly thereafter. Our findings are consistent across a range of specifications and show that exposure to mass mobilization and state repression is associated with lower support for nationalism. These differences are observable more than twenty-five years later, despite sustained state censorship.

Meanings, Imaginaries and Meanings of the Protest of the Students Belonging to the Student Movement UNEES

Meanings, Imaginaries and Meanings of the Protest of the Students Belonging to the Student Movement UNEES

POLITICAL CONFLICT IN LAUT BERCERITA BY LEILA S. CHUDORI: INSIGHTS FROM NEW HISTORICISM

This research investigates the political conflict depicted in Leila S. Chudori's novel Laut Bercerita, focusing on the portrayal of the student’s movement and authoritarian regime dominated by military force in Indonesia during the New Order era. Drawing on the theories of Sociology of Literature and New Historicism, the study aims to analyze the socio-political dynamics embedded within the narrative. The qualitative descriptive method is employed to examine the text in-depth, considering its historical significance and literary merits. Through close textual analysis, the research reveals the intricate interplay between fiction and reality, shedding light on the experiences of activists and the repressive tactics of the regime. The novel vividly captures the determination, struggles, and sacrifices of student activists as they challenge authoritarian rule, providing valuable insights into Indonesia's socio-political landscape. Additionally, the study explores the ways in which literature serves as a vehicle for social critique and historical remembrance, emphasizing the enduring relevance of Chudori's work in contemporary discourse. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of Indonesian history and literature, underscoring the importance of literature as a tool for socio-political commentary and cultural preservation.

Strategic authenticity in the promotion of a protest action on social media: the case of the School Strike 4 Climate in Sydney

ABSTRACT Protest organisers around the world are increasingly trying to pressure governments to act on climate change. Young people have been at the forefront of the mobilisation to raise awareness about the issue and to call for change. Student movements across the globe are redefining the political through innovative and creative actions. I focus on one of these actions with a case study of how young people from the School Strike 4 Climate (SS4C) movement in Sydney use social media to promote a protest event. In doing so, I propose the concept of ‘strategic authenticity’ to define the balance between professional communication and authenticity in young peoples’ communicative action online. Such a balance is achieved by melding well-crafted content with humour and references to popularity and internet culture. Studying students’ practices of ‘strategic authenticity’ contributes to deepening our understanding of democratic renewal and young people’s political engagement in the context of the climate change movement.

Controversial Cartoon at Central University

This fictional case study provides a summary of events that took place at Central University after the campus newspaper published a controversial political cartoon mocking media coverage of the killing of an unarmed Black man. The cartoon and lack of administrative response led to the formation of a student activist group. The case highlights the conflict some campus administrators perceive in protecting student expression, which may harm other students’ feelings of safety and belonging. Discussion questions and suggested class activities are included.

Internationalisation in Higher Education: Post-Covid Trends of Students’ Mobility (Case Study EUROMED Countries)

Purpose: This article examines trends in the internationalisation of higher education within the Euro-Mediterranean (EUROMED) region, with a particular focus on student mobility as a driving force for fostering academic collaboration across borders. Study design/methodology/approach: The research uses data from UNESCO to analyse student movement patterns in 23 Euro-Mediterranean countries. It considers key factors influencing these trends, including economic incentives, geopolitical stability, and cultural linkages. It also assesses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international student mobility and the adaptation of physical, virtual, and blended mobility formats to new realities. Findings: The findings highlight that while physical mobility remains essential, the rise of virtual and blended mobility options post-pandemic has introduced more inclusive and accessible student pathways. This shift enhances the resilience and adaptability of internationalisation frameworks within the EUROMED region, enabling a more robust response to the fluctuating global conditions. Originality/value: This study provides a comprehensive look at the unique cultural, geopolitical, and educational context of the EUROMED region. It underscores the importance of innovative mobility models in creating a more inclusive internationalisation approach that can withstand external challenges, particularly in a post-pandemic landscape.

John R. Mott amidst the students: Historical and missiological gleanings for today

A century ago, John R. Mott (1865-1955) was the most recognizable name among Christian student movement leaders on six continents. Working together with other leaders from around the world, Mott was instrumental in ministry of the YMCA, the World’s Student Christian Federation, and the Student Volunteer Movement. This article first discusses Mott’s contributions as a strategist and analyzes the nature of his expansive network. It concludes with an examination of some theological themes that appear most prominently in his writings and correspondence. The article also interrogates what the American Society of Missiology and related organizations might learn from a similar examination of our network and Mott’s theological reflections on the ‘larger Christ’.

‘Must Fall’ movements globally: transnational flows of South African student activism

This article demonstrates an important case of transnational activist influence from the Global South to both Global North and other Global South contexts. While protests, slogans, strategies and demands are expressions of a specific context-bound protest culture, they have the potential to resonate globally. In this way, specific protests become a model for other social movements, although not without tension or reconfigurations of activism. In this article, we explore the transnational flow of the ideas around ‘Must Fall’, developed initially by the South African student movement. From 2015, several university-based protests in South Africa coalesced under the slogan ‘Must Fall’, most prominently #RhodesMustFall and #FeesMustFall. This ‘Must Fall’ idea resonated transnationally in multiple contexts. However, protests using ‘Must Fall’ also drew from other resources and held different meanings across the different contexts, creating a complex transnational flow of partially connected protests across Africa, Europe, and the US. Nevertheless, the ‘Must Fall’ protests were similar in expressing a need for a radical change to rupture and overcome structures of oppression, especially those shaped by colonialism. This article analyses the Global South genesis and meaning of the ‘Must Fall’ protests and how they travelled, resonating differently in both Southern and Northern contexts.

Determinants of Student’s Satisfaction Towards Bus Service Quality in UiTM Cawangan Selangor

Bus service around the campus is essential for the movement of students to undergo academic and co-curricular activities. Student satisfaction with the quality of the bus service provided needs to be considered. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between empathy, perceived value, reliability and timeliness and also to examine the greatest predictors among all four variables towards student satisfaction with the quality of bus services at UiTM Cawangan Selangor. In total, 200 undergraduate university students took part in the research as survey respondents. The SPSS version 29 was used to analyze the data. The findings from the analysis revealed that empathy, perceived value, reliability and timeliness were found significantly correlated with student satisfaction. In addition, the reliability was highly significant in determining student satisfaction. The practical and theoretical implications of understanding the characteristics of empathy, perceived value, reliability and timeliness will make university administrators and service providers more concerned with student satisfaction to improve the quality of bus services provided. In addition, the results of this study also aim to provide insights that can be taken into action by the parties concerned in improving service delivery and the overall student experience.

We are Who we Represent: A Theory of “Immersive” Representation in Student Activism

Abstract Children and young people have a right to freedom of association and to have their views given due weight when they act collectively. However, when they come together in groups to engage in collective action, in school and elsewhere, they are often criticised for not being “representative” of all/other young people. The concept, while frequently cited, remains undefined and fails to incorporate how young people understand, experience and enact representation. This article presents data from an empirical study with youth activists who established a Secondary Schools Students’ Union during the Covid-19 pandemic to lobby for change in education decision-making. The study was carried out as a collaboration between two university-based researchers and two secondary school students who were founding members of the union. Drawing on focus groups and interviews with union executive members, this article presents findings that convey young people’s navigation of adults’ perceptions of their representativeness, focusing on issues of legitimacy and efficacy. Based on this study, we propose a new youth co-authored and youth-informed theory of representation that conceptualises it as immersive and mutually symbiotic and, we suggest, enables meaningful implementation of child and youth activists’ civil and political rights.

Comparing the South African and Brazilian student uprisings (2015–2016): Similarities, Circulations, and Distance

ABSTRACT South Africa and Brazil are notorious for having some of the highest levels of (racialised) inequality on the planet, and dysfunctional education systems failing millions in their aspirations for a better life. Over 2015-16, student protests erupted across Brazilian and South African schools and universities, challenging these conditions through strikes, occupations, on-campus and street protests, and intellectual production. This paper builds on a World-Systems theoretical framework to understand the similarities, circulation, and distance between the two contemporaneous movements. In Brazil, the ‘Primavera Secundarista' high school occupations dealt primarily with local political dynamics, such as school closures, and intersectional forms of oppression. In South Africa, the ‘Fallist' university mobilisations demanded free, decolonised education, alongside addressing issues of outsourcing and institutional racism. In the first section, I give a comparative overview of these student movements’ similarities, situating them in their context and highlighting the key concerns and political and pedagogical practices of student activists in each. While these movements did not generally engage with each other, there were some important points of interaction, discussed in the second section. While highlighting these points of connection, I also advance an argument in the third section for why there was nevertheless relatively little direct engagement between these contemporaneous movements that otherwise had so much in common. The points of connection and disconnection between these similar movements offers insights about the functioning of the contemporary World-System and the modes of transnational circulation between movements therein, with lessons for transnational understandings of social movements, especially South-South movements.

Demographic and Socio-Economic Characteristics of Student Migration in Nepal

Student migration, defined as the movement of students to pursue education abroad for at least a year outside their country of citizenship, has transformed into a market-driven phenomenon due to the globalization of higher education. As the demand for international education surges, an increasing number of students perceive it as a pathway to potential permanent residency. The cultural and economic contributions of these international students have prompted stakeholders to facilitate their entry and integration. While North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and East and Southeast Asia remain primary destinations, emerging educational hubs like Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore are witnessing a rise in international student enrollment. Nepal is a microcosm of this global trend, with thousands of its citizens pursuing higher education abroad annually. A comprehensive analysis of the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of Nepalese students studying abroad reveals complex patterns influenced by factors such as geographic origin, gender, age, religion, marital status, and economic background. The preference for countries like Japan, characterized by favorable policies and educational opportunities, is particularly pronounced among students from regions like Lumbini and Madesh. These disparities underscore the persistence of sociocultural barriers hindering educational opportunities for women and the inequitable access to international education among students from different socioeconomic strata. To effectively support Nepalese students abroad, it is imperative to develop tailored policies and support systems that address the diverse needs and backgrounds of this population.

Institutionally crafted Amhara-domination narrative: an existential threat to Amhara people

ABSTRACT Political narrative is an instrument for political actors to construct a shared meaning, and it can be harnessed to harm political opponents. The Italian invaders, the Ethiopian Student Movement, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, the Oromo Liberation Front, and the incumbent regime contributed in varying degrees to the Amhara domination narrative. TPLF, in its political manifesto and later in the 1995 FDRE constitution, institutionally crafted an anti-Amhara narrative, reaching a crescendo after Abiy Ahmed assumed office in 2018. Thus, this research article tried to scrutinise and weigh the discourse of institutionally crafted Amhara existential threats. The study employed a qualitative research tradition and an exploratory research design approach that involved a political-economic analysis. The study finds that the century-old Amhara domination narrative, coupled with institutionally supported recurrent mass killings and expulsion, especially in Oromia, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Amhara regional states, posed a real and perceived existential threat that gave birth to the Amhara Fano armed struggle.

A grounded theory of intersectional Asian American college student activism.

A grounded theory of intersectional Asian American college student activism.

College Student Political Participation in the Context of a Polarized Nation and an International Pandemic: Do Campus Civic Engagement Efforts Matter?

U.S. universities devote substantial resources to increasing student political engagement, especially voting; research identifies several factors affecting student political participation, including socialization theories (e.g. family, friends, school), distance from home (Niemi and Hanmer), and choice architecture (Thaler, Sunstein, and Balz). Other research suggests that increased party polarization leads to higher voter turnout (Abramowitz and Stone; Crepaz). Our study sought to understand student political behavior (voting and registration) and political polarization during fall 2020 in the context of a polarized nation and an international pandemic. Based on 326 surveys of undergraduates and in-depth follow-up interviews, where 85% of our student sample reported voting, results suggest support for several factors that contribute to voting: level of political information efficacy, participation in campus organizations and events, friends, and family. On measures of social distance (“polarization”), participants felt more distant from Trump and less distant from Biden, and participants who felt closer to Biden felt significantly more prepared to vote than participants who felt distant to Biden. Surprisingly, minority students were less likely to vote. A second analysis compared a subsample of student fraternity/sorority members (“Greek” members) from 2016 and those from 2020. The 2020 Greek members voted at higher rates and were more active on social media although voter registration rates did not differ. Results suggest that several factors contributed to student voting in our sample: parent/family encouragement, a cultivated campus voting culture, campus outreach efforts to first year students, and increased voting avenues during the pandemic.

Supplemental Material for A Grounded Theory of Intersectional Asian American College Student Activism

Supplemental Material for A Grounded Theory of Intersectional Asian American College Student Activism

Rocking Under Orion’s Belt: The Rise and Fall of Seibu Kōdō as International Concert Venue

ABSTRACT An edifice resembling a temple hall and located on the outskirts of the Kyoto University campus, Seibu Kōdō, rose to national prominence in the early 1970s as a hub for the city’s burgeoning performing arts and rock music scene. Its reputation and legend quickly grew after hosting the MOJO WEST series, inaugurated in 1971, that included concerts by iconic Japanese bands such as Flower Travellin’ Band, Murahachibu, and Zunō keisatsu. Towards the end of the decade, Seibu Kōdō began attracting international performers, spearheaded by Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention in 1976. However, an incident during a concert by The Police in 1980 led to a permanent suspension of welcoming foreign acts. This article explores Seibu Kōdō’s formative years as a concert venue and the way its connections to the radical student movement, symbolised by the constellation of three red stars painted on its roof, informed its peculiar self-management model. This facilitated the venue’s use as a space for unrestricted artistic expression, but at the same time hindered its development beyond local significance.

From Kent State to Black Lives Matter: Student Affairs’ Relationship With Campus Activism

Kent State University (KSU) has been associated with campus activism history since May 4, 1970. Using a case study approach, we interrogated if and how KSU student affairs administrators’ approach to activism has changed in the intervening decades and how the legacy of the shootings informed their practice during the Black Lives Matters protests of 2020. We found administrators’ bedrock values and approach were consistent across the two periods. However, their tactics for working with activists shifted in line with the growth and evolution of the field of student affairs, available technologies, and the social and news media climate.

Nation and its students: Reflections on educational activism from a public university in Delhi, India

This article examines contemporary facets of student mobilization that unfolded with the introduction of the Citizenship Amendment Act of 2019 (CAA). Taking cues from a premier public university in India, the article explores how CAA-driven activism enabled the political socialization of students, and how such a process was entangled with their identities and ideologies. It provides an ethnographic description of student mobilizations for and against the amended citizenship laws to show that (1) the space of the university has witnessed a steady resurgence insofar as the questions of nationalism and nation-building are concerned, (2) higher education in India is at a paradoxical crossroads, and is traversing through rapid neoliberalisation and burgeoning religious nationalism, and (3) ‘competing nationalisms’ between student organizations are on display, where each group believes that their idea of the nation is more suitable than another. Using Pierre Bourdieu’s conceptual armory, the article’s contribution lies in arguing that campus activism leads to the formation of dispositions that enable and assist in the production of political capital among student activists. It concludes that the university then serves as a platform and creates further pathways for accumulating such capital.

Researching Decolonization: Exploring the Applicability of the Concept of Decolonization to Student Activism in Ghana

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the role university students played in the decolonization discourse in Ghana. It analyses whether or not the concept of decolonization can be used to investigate the resistance of student movements through their activism. The consciousness of student movements such as the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) of the continuous existence of forms of colonialism despite nominal independence can be seen in student struggles for socio-economic and political justice especially struggles against neocolonialism and neoliberalism from the 1960s to the early 1990s. It investigates the continuities and discontinuities of different historical conjunctures of student movements and how these fed into the wider debates on decolonization. Using a qualitative multidisciplinary approach and relying chiefly on primary sources, open-ended interviews, newspapers and archival data, this paper analyses the connection between student political activism and the concept of decolonization in Africa. The article situates student actions within decolonisation discourses in Africa by analysing student efforts to ensure the total liberation of all African states, oppose neocolonialism, and contribute to Africa’s development.