Bridging Research and Citizenship through Reflection: The B-YOUth Forum Model

Journal title EDUCATIONAL REFLECTIVE PRACTICES
Author/s Elisabetta Biffi, Chiara Carla Montà, Maria Ratotti
Publishing Year 2026 Issue 2025/1
Language English Pages 17 P. 83-99 File size 0 KB
DOI 10.3280/erpoa1-2025oa20443
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<p>In today’s complex global landscape, fostering youth participation in democratic processes is a strategic priority recognized by multiple international policy frameworks. However, research highlights a growing youth disengagement from traditional democratic institutions. This paper offers a theoretical and methodological reflection on the role of scientific research as a tool for citizenship education, emphasizing research as a reflective practice to develop critical and deliberative competencies. Through the pedagogical facilitation model implemented in the B-YOUth Forum – a participatory research lab promoted by the University of Milano-Bicocca within the MUSA project – this study explores the potential of research as an educational process. The model invests in scientific research as a strategy for supporting the development of citizenship competencies, through a specific pedagogical facilitation. Findings highlight how engaging in research processes enhances citizenship competencies, encouraging young people to take an active role in decision-making and future-building.</p>

Keywords: research;reflexivity;pedagogical facilitation;model;youth;university

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Elisabetta Biffi, Chiara Carla Montà, Maria Ratotti, Bridging Research and Citizenship through Reflection: The B-YOUth Forum Model in "EDUCATIONAL REFLECTIVE PRACTICES" 1/2025, pp 83-99, DOI: 10.3280/erpoa1-2025oa20443