Mag.a Sarah Sophia Straub

Relational Citizens: Mentoring Inclusive Citizenship Education.

Betreuung: Dirk Lange
Zeitraum: 2018 – 2024
Kontakt: sarah.straub@univie.ac.at

The study, Relational Citizens: Mentoring Inclusive Citizenship Education, develops the concept of the relational citizen throughout the research process. Grounded in the concept of interdependent subjectivity (Latour 2021), the research argues that citizenship is not a static legal status but a relational and dynamic process shaped by affective and social interactions. The research argues further that individuals develop civic agency through relational experiences, particularly in mentoring contexts. Focusing on the chosen case study of 1:1 mentoring for primary school children facing structural disadvantages – such as disabilities, poverty, migration backgrounds, or refugee experiences – the study examines how mentorship fosters democratic engagement, social inclusion, and affective connections that shape participatory citizenship (Ayata 2019). Using a three-phase qualitative research design – including semi-structured episodic interviews (Flick 2011), focus group discussions and educational and policy recommendations – the study uncovers how relational learning strengthens civic consciousness (Lange 2008). By applying social constructivism (Schütz 1971) as an epistemological perspective the research demonstrates that relational learning is not just an educational tool but a transformative practice that redefines citizenship as an evolving, relational process.The findings underscore that relational citizens emerge through social bonds and shared experiences, positioning mentoring as a means of fostering inclusive citizenship education. This study contributes to bridging the gap between mentoring research and civic and citizenship education (Rhodes 2002; Lange & Kleinschmidt 2016), advocating for relational learning as a core principle in inclusive citizenship education and policies.