Student civic engagement practices from an equity perspective: case studies from Austrian universities

This chapter provides insights into student civic engagement at Austrian universities. Civic engagement is seen as crucial in terms of student retention and success. However, participating in engagement practices often requires financial and time resources, which may be limited for students from equity groups. Therefore, we aim to unpack whether all student groups have access to civic engagement practices and whether they can equally participate in such practices. By presenting three case studies, we illustrate how civic engagement practices across three universities enable or hinder the participation of students from different backgrounds. One enabling factor is the students’ personal connection to the content of the practice and their connection to the lived experiences of those they engaged with. One hindering factor is the students’ limited say in co-designing these practices. We critically reflect upon how student civic engagement practices can be enhanced to broaden access and inclusion for all students.