Universities as Open Spaces: Youth, Research and Sustainable Transitions

Developing competencies essential for informed decision-making and active engagement in society has become a key focus for sustainable (Bianchi et al. 2022) and digital transitions, particularly within the Next Generation EU initiative. Universities, as institutions of higher education, are uniquely positioned to tackle issues related to personal, professional and societal development, especially through a social justice lens (Francis et al. 2017; Harkavy 2006). In Italy, statistics (Eurostat 2021) and research (Barbato et al. 2021) raise questions concerning the number of students pursuing university studies– and integrating higher education into their long-term life and career goals— highlighting how this number remains below the European average. This disparity raises questions about how universities can become more accessible to young people, especially those who may not view higher education as part of their future. This is a specific goal for Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRPP 2021). This contribution presents the B-YOUth Forum Lab as an innovative approach, being experimented with the NRRP under the main Project MUSA. Engaging young people in interdisciplinary research (natural sciences, social and human sciences, etc.), the B-YOUth Forum fosters a deeper connection to university life and promotes transversal competencies such as critical thinking, self-reflection, and decision-making skills (Eurydice 2013). Involving young people with the evolving challenges of research, including technological and digital innovations, is equally essential, as it prepares them to navigate and contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge in a world increasingly shaped by technology (Ratotti and Biffi 2024). In this sense, B-YOUth Forum—by bridging academic research with civic engagement, has provided a space for 50 young people aged 14–25 to co-create knowledge through innovative methodologies, including visual, digital and artistic tools. This paper will highlight the methodological approaches employed and the impact achieved, providing an in-depth analysis by showing how universities can function as open, dynamic research hubs that empower youth to drive sustainability transitions and contribute to global citizenship (UNESCO 2019a, 2019b).