International Centre for Higher Education Research (INCHER) at the University of Kassel is a leading research institute dedicated to the study of higher education, policy, and societal impact. Within the YOUROPE project, INCHER/Kassel plays a key role in critically examining the dominant notions of European citizenship. Our work in Work Package 3 (WP3) focuses on analysing national and European curricula, policies, and frameworks through a systematic and bibliometric literature review.
By synthesizing existing academic and policy discourses, we identify prevailing narratives, research gaps, and potential biases. We complement this with an in-depth review of citizenship education policies across selected European countries. Our findings contribute to a broader dialogue on European citizenship by connecting academic perspectives with lived experiences gathered through participatory research methods.
Through structured feedback loops in democratic spaces (WP2), we ensure that young researchers and community participants critically assess and refine the dominant discourses of European citizenship. The insights gained from our research will inform the development of an EU Citizenship Toolkit, bridging academic, policy, and grassroots perspectives to foster inclusive and participatory democratic frameworks.
In the YOUROPE project, INCHER/Kassel contributes its expertise in educational research and policy analysis to deepen the understanding of European citizenship. Our role is to critically analyse dominant notions of European citizenship as reflected in national and European curricula, policies, and frameworks. To achieve this, we conduct a comprehensive bibliometric and systematic literature review, identifying key trends, discourses, and gaps in the existing research. Our findings will inform the broader project goals by providing a solid analytical foundation for discussions on European identity, citizenship education, and policy development.
Digital environments as civic and political space
Structural inequalities and intersecting identities
Do you think everyone has equal opportunities to participate in society?
Procedural vs. substantive participation
When does participation actually make a difference in your life?
Europe as lived democratic space
Young people as knowers, not just learners
Do you feel that young people’s voices and experiences are taken seriously?