Politics, protest and engagement: working with a changing landscape of student activism in the 21st century

HUMANE Autumn Seminar
November 8-9, 2018
Hosted by the University of Trento

While sit-ins, marches and clashes with authorities are still features of student activism, only a tiny proportion of the student body in most universities are involved in this kind of political activity.

The reality of contemporary student activism is more nuanced. Students are involved in manifold forms of political activity that often falls somewhere between ‘political’ activism and civic engagement. Political expression takes many and varied forms, from activism aimed at changing university governance, partnering with extra-institutional campaigns such as Fossil Free, or participating in student union/university administered social enterprises and volunteering programmes. And a small proportion of students are being radicalised by extremist groups.

With contributing speakers from Italy, France, Sweden, the UK, the Netherlands and Australia, as well as student activists, our seminar at the University of Trento aims to explore how university administrations have gone about adapting to this changing landscape. The programme will be of interest to heads of administration as well as their key colleagues involved in managing student affairs.

The programme includes a short tour of the MUSE - the Trento Science Museum, where a drinks reception will also be held.

The HUMANE Dinner will be in the spectacular ‘Big Void’ of the museum.

The seminar will be held from midday Thursday 8 to midday Friday 9 November, allowing participants to travel home for the weekend, or stay over for the weekend in the beautiful alpine region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.

Practical information about travel and accommodation can be viewed here. Verona is the closest airport linked by fast and frequent trains to Trento, about 60 minutes away.

Register now to secure your place.