We are excited to announce the publication of the STUDACT project in the Journal of Research on Adolescence. The study, “Exploring extracurricular clubs in high schools as third spaces for developing youth activism and critical engagement,” was led by postdoctoral researcher Dr. Tara Bartlett and Professor Miri Yemini. Through analysis of twelve discussion groups involving 63 high school students, this research examines how extracurricular clubs serve as vital “third spaces” where young people can engage with social justice issues and develop activism skills outside the constraints of formal classroom settings.

The findings reveal that club participation significantly enhances students’ critical engagement with social issues, providing them with practical skills for collective action and justice-oriented approaches to both local and global challenges. While formal school environments often face limitations due to standardized curricula and resource constraints, extracurricular clubs emerge as crucial venues for fostering the kind of critical thinking and civic engagement necessary for developing informed global citizens. The research highlights the important role that educational institutions can play in supporting these third-space opportunities for youth activism.