Youth participation has become a focal point in political agendas and international academic research, reflecting a growing consensus on the imperative to delve into the intricacies of youth civic, public, and political engagement. As we strive to unravel the complexities within the”black box” of youth participation, an intersectional lens becomes indispensable for a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities encountered by young people.
This special issue aims to explore the role of gender as a dynamic force in the emergence and development of youth participation. In this light, the special issue will address the following key questions:
- How does gender emerge as a central theme and framing device in youth participation?
- In what ways are youth pathways, practices and lived experiences participation
shaped by gender? - What gender systems and notions of femininity and masculinity manifest in various youth participation initiatives?
- What gender cultures emerge within spaces of youth participation? How are spaces of youth participation shaped by these cultures?
- To what extent does youth participation contribute to social changes in gender dynamics or inadvertently reproduce gender inequalities?
We invite papers that explore these questions and other related inquiries, considering a diverse array of liberal and illiberal political initiatives ranging from feminist and LGBTQ+ organizations to men’s right groups. Both conventional and unconventional modes of participation are of interest. Submissions are encouraged to adopt empirical approaches encompassing qualitative and quantitative studies, as well as comparative analyses that employ an intersectional framework.
The following topics are of particular interest for the special issue:
- Gender dynamics in different youth participation initiatives and spaces of participation
- The impact of gender on the effectiveness of youth engagement strategies
- Intersectional perspectives on youth participation
- Gendered experiences of youth activism and advocacy
- Feminist and LGBTQ+ perspectives on youth involvement
- Analysis of gender systems within liberal and illiberal political groups
- The role of gender in shaping spaces and practices of youth participation
- Relations between epistemic injustice and gender identities
We look forward to receiving insightful contributions that enrich our understanding of gender’s intricate role in shaping the landscape of youth participation. For inquiries, please contact ilaria.pitti@unibo.it; mengilli@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Submission Guidelines:
Authors are invited to submit original research papers addressing the special issue theme.
Submissions should be sent by 30th September 2024 through SMP submission system and consider the journal editorial guidelines. All submissions will undergo a peer-review process.
Important Dates:
Submission Deadline: 30 September 2024
Notification of Acceptance and Comments to authors: 30 November 2024
Revised Papers Submission Deadline: 30 January 2025
Publication: May 2025
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