University students play a crucial role in shaping the social fabric of their institutions and communities. While often seen as future leaders, aspiring middle class and active participants in public life, their engagement reflects a diverse range of perspectives, identities, and affiliations. This research explores how student groups in Bangladesh and Uganda contribute to social cohesion by navigating institutional structures, participating in university governance, and engaging with broader societal narratives.
By focusing on their motivations, affiliations, and interactions with institutional frameworks, this study examines the various ways students contribute to stability, cooperation, and institutional development. Through a comparative analysis of student participation on two major university campuses in Dhaka and Kampala, the research highlights how students organize, mobilize, and respond to evolving political, social, and economic landscapes.
Employing political ethnography and a grounded case study methodology, this project investigates the connections between student representation, institutional frameworks, and broader societal structures. By offering insights into student engagement and its implications for governance and social cohesion, the study aims to contribute to academic and policy discussions on the evolving role of students in higher education and public life. The findings will be valuable for universities, policymakers, and scholars interested in student agency, social cohesion, and institutional development.
The project is funded by the Horizon Europe Programme under the call for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2023 (HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01).
