Research Noel Clycq

Abstract

This research project is set in the highly diverse city of Antwerp in Flanders, the Northern part of Belgium. At national and European levels, citizenship education is described as a key educational goal carrying high expectations (Joris et al., 2021; European Commission, 2018, p. 4). However, the understandings of citizenship and what constitutes good citizenship education are contested (Joris et al., 2021; Biesta, 2014, p.5). Recently, the Flemish government adopted explicit citizenship education goals as part of a modernised educational programme (Loobuyck, 2020; Vlaams Parlement, 2018). Decisions surrounding the realisation of the citizenship education goals lie at the meso-level of the school and even at the micro-level of the classroom. Prior studies connect macro-level societal processes, including structural socio-economic inequalities, to the micro-level of the classroom (Clycq, 2016; Nouwen & Clycq, 2016). Antwerp has been considered a "majority-minority-city" since 2019 due to a majority of the citizens having a migration background (Geldof, 2019, p. 368). The emergence of majority-minority cities has prompted policymakers' contradictory responses, also described as diversity approaches (Celeste et al., 2019). While some approaches focus on cultural homogenisation by stressing one national identity, culture and shared values, others focus on cultural heterogenisation, emphasising a global mindset, cultural empathy and interculturality. These tensions are also found in schools in super-diverse urban contexts like Antwerp. We explore how these diversity approaches in schools converge or diverge with recently implemented citizenship education practices. Our main research questions are: How are citizenship and diversity enacted in urban Flemish secondary schools, and when and why do difficulties and opportunities arise? We structured the empirical study through a case study design frame. We gather qualitative and ethnographic data in two urban Flemish schools to answer the research questions. Following a case study design, we apply various data-gathering tools, including (lesson) observations, semi-structured in-depth interviews, document analyses and participatory methods. Our project is part of the broader European research consortium "Solidarity in Diversity" (SOLiDi) that seeks to identify practices of solidarity in ethnic-cultural diversity as alternatives to national new-assimilationism trends.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Clycq Noel
• Fellow: Vrolijk Marloes

Research team(s)

• EduBROn

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project investigates the impact of the process of growing digitalization in public schools upon social inclusion of parents with a migratory background, in Belgium and in Italy. The research addresses the nexus between digitalization and social inclusion of migrant parents by bringing together two distinct domains of literature: the studies about digitalization and the impact of digital technologies on the education field and those about migrants' social inclusion at school level. Drawing from both fields of literature, the project contributes to further expanding the research about migrant parents' social inclusion in schools, which remains a small research strand within the curernt state of the art which focuses more on 'migrant' pupils. Differently from previous research, this work is interested not only in the characteristics of parents' communications and interpersonal interactions with teachers but also in parents' sense of belonging and inclusion in the school context, emerging from these interactions. Moreover, the analysis contributes to the domain of research about digitalization and its impact on the education field as well. Namely, it is one of the first studies that analyze, in a systematic and in-depth manner, the advantages and/or disadvantages that digital technologies may bring to the interactions and relations between teachers and migrant parents as well as to parents' sense of belonging. This research project not only hopes to advance our understanding of these processes from an academic perspective, but also to support migrant parents, communities and school actors in their mutual interactions and relations.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Clycq Noel
• Fellow: Landini Irene

Research team(s)

• EduBROn

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

One could say that the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine are the latest and most explicit examples of social, political and economic disruption of society, revealing the underlying tensions liberal democracies in Europe are facing. These tensions are experienced in particular by young adults embarking upon new and crucial phases in their life trajectory. When developing and articulating their goals and ambitions, and seeking their place in society as young adult citizens, young adults are increasingly confronted with a multitude of (sometimes competing) narratives and practices on what democracy is and what citizenship entails. Moreover, in response to crises, citizenship can become a strategy to exclude as well as include others in society. Major events accentuate on the one hand the enduring inequalities and exclusion processes related to e.g. gender, ethnicity, class and political preferences in every society, while on the other hand often also reveal the resilience and strength of individuals and communities in their commitment to democracy and citizenship. It is this complexity and situatedness of democratic thinking and active citizenship that our project aims to address. The period of emerging adulthood (18- to 24-year-olds) defines the years young adults often receive a lot of new duties and need to make sense and sometimes choose between different opportunities and life paths. In this project we aim to collect new research data in order to strengthen our future EU application. Building on the groundwork of the EDICT proposal we aim to explore young adults' perceptions, experiences and behaviors with respect to issues of citizenship, democratic thinking, identity and diversity. We study how research can grasp the underlying processes influencing young adults and to this end we aim to develop a survey tool to be implemented in different (educational) settings, and which will lead to new research insights.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Clycq Noel
• Co-promoter: Bursens Peter
• Co-promoter: Donche Vincent
• Co-promoter: Gijbels David

Research team(s)

• EduBROn

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Over the past decades, European societies are characterized by increasing ethno-cultural diversification and debates on social cohesion, national identities, and citizenship are prominent in contemporary society. Education plays a key role in promoting a shared sense of belonging and emerging interest in citizenship education is, therefore, perceptible in research, policy and practice. Substantial literature has explored the normative, 'fact-based' nature of citizenship education. Yet, previous research has shown that ethnic minority students in Europe construct different collective identities than ethnic majority students and (sub)national identities appear to be less attractive to ethnic minority youth. These results imply that civic knowledge and attitudes are not able to bind ethnic minority students emotionally to an 'imagined national community'. This research aims to understand how young people perform their belonging and how education affects these processes of belonging. This study specifically focuses on the emotional processes related to issues of belonging and citizenship in education, without ignoring power relations and the social and political context involved. With the use of an ethnographic and narrative approach, this study aims to gain a nuanced understanding of how belonging and citizenship are understood, enacted, and experienced by young people attending secondary education.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Clycq Noel
• Promoter: Vanhoof Jan
• Co-promoter: Clycq Noel
• Co-promoter: Touquet Heleen
• Co-promoter: Vanhoof Jan
• Fellow: Brummer Imke

Research team(s)

• EduBROn

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Throughout the world many education systems struggle with continuous and large performance difficulties between native students and students with a migration background. Despite huge investments by policy makers and the implementation of a vast array of specific structure as well as more actor-centred measures, there seems to be little change. Often these 'underperforming' students have been passive bystanders in the discussion of potential solutions for the 'ethnic gap'. Yet, this ignores the many initiatives taken by ethnic minority communities to tackle educational inequalities. These are community-based educational spaces (CBES) such as home-work support groups, language classes and community-led supplementary and full-time schools. The few studies on these CBES generally focus on their political role and apply a predominantly ethnographic approach and thus the current state of the art mainly informs us about the political strategies of community representatives. Our project advances the state of the art and aims to fill existing knowledge gaps on the effectiveness and impact of CBES on student outcomes and on learning processes. More in particular we perform an evaluation and impact study acknowledging the voices and agency of CBES-stakeholders involved. To this end we apply a mixed-method approach combining quantitative analysis with qualitative field research. The insights will benefit stakeholders in CBES as well as in mainstream public education.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Clycq Noel

Research team(s)

• EduBROn

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Over the last decade, liberal democracies in Europe have been shaken to their core by the rise of national populisms. This puts strong pressure on all forms of solidarity, especially as they cross ethnic-cultural boundaries. The increasingly successful capture of the notion of solidarity by radical right, anti-liberal democratic forces is testimony to this. The challenge for European democracies is to identify the conditions under which solidarities in diversity can be nurtured. To address this urgent challenge, the European Training Network "Solidarity in Diversity" (SOLiDi) develops a training and research program that is focused on how to generate solidarities across cultural boundaries, taking the proximity of citizens with different ethnic-cultural backgrounds in specific places and the practices they engage in as starting point. Building on the strengths of the interculturalist paradigm, SOLiDi will originally contribute with an intersectional understanding of how place-based solidarity practices are shaped by and can work around entrenched social inequalities and unequal power relations. To that end, SOLiDi brings together a group of international scholars from sociology, geography and educational science and a wide range of non-academic partners that are active in different sectors. SOLiDi will train 15 early stage researchers in relevant theories, research methods and ethics and paradigms of social change such as public pedagogy and policy and organisational change to study practices of place-based solidarities in diversity in different geographical, policy and organisational contexts. The aim is to articulate a new vision on solidarity adapted to superdiverse societies and to better equip professionals and organisations with adequate and innovative tools for facilitating solidarity in diversity. SOLiDi aims are in line with SDG10 "Reduced Inequalities" and Societal Challenge 6 'Europe in a changing world - Inclusive, innovative and reflective societies'.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Oosterlynck Stijn
• Co-promoter: Clycq Noel

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Professor Mieke Van Houtte, laureate of the Belgian Francqui Chair 2022-2023, is affiliated with the University of Ghent and chair of the research group CuDOS: Cultural Diversity: Opportunities and Socialisation. From an educational sociology perspective, Professor Van Houtte will give a lecture series on "Education in an individualized, diverse, changing society". She asks some pertinent questions: how can we combine excellence with maximum opportunities for all involved, and in particular for pupils and students? How can we educate and support young people in such a way that they can fully participate in society and its institutions? How do we ensure that background characteristics have as little impact as possible on educational outcomes? Various topics will be discussed in the different guest lectures throughout the 2022-2023 academic year. Among other things, about the role of the teachers, and also the collective school culture, and how this relates to the expectations and trust of teachers in pupils from different backgrounds. In addition, there will also be guest lectures on the role of socio-economic, gender and ethnic background in education, and how classical sociological theories can provide part of the explanation.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Clycq Noel

Research team(s)

• EduBROn

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project studies several language projects in local authorities in Limburg. In so doing the project builds on insights from the existing academic literature and the different partnerships that are developed. The main aim of the project is to have a positive impact on the learning processes of young people.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Clycq Noel

Research team(s)

• EduBROn

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

ESF impact evaluation of the job discovery lab aims to evaluate the following three objectives of the job discovery lab: - Objective 1: Participants gain self awareness: What do I consider important with regard to my future workplace? What team role fits my personality? - Objective 2: Participants discover a diversity of professions active within the Port of Antwerp. - Objective 3: Participants are supported in finding information about job vacancies, coaching, and training relevant to working at the Port of Antwerp.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Kyndt Eva
• Co-promoter: Clycq Noel

Research team(s)

• EduBROn

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Debates on social cohesion, (sub)national identities, and citizenship are prominent in contemporary society. This research aims to understand the influence of education in the making of (collective) identities, by studying the role of emotions in the construction of feelings of belonging. Education has a key role in promoting a shared sense of belonging to strengthen social cohesion. Emerging interest in citizenship education is perceptible in research, policy and practice, and substantial literature explored the normative, 'fact-based' nature of citizenship education. Yet, previous research has shown that ethnic minority students in Europe construct different collective identities than ethnic majority students and that (sub)national identities are less attractive for minority youth. This implies that civic knowledge and attitudes are not able to emotionally bind minority students to an 'imagined national community'. Emotional investments of citizenship and belonging in education have gone relatively understudied. Hence, this study focuses on the emotional processes related to issues of belonging and citizenship in education, without ignoring power relations and the social and political context involved. With the use of a sequential mixed-methods design, this study aims to explore how (collective) identities are constructed by young people and how belonging and citizenship are understood, enacted, and experienced in schools in Flanders.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Clycq Noel
• Co-promoter: Touquet Heleen
• Fellow: Brummer Imke

Research team(s)

• EduBROn

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The central aim of this research is to examine how children with diverse backgrounds construct personal and collective identities in the super-diverse city of Antwerp. How do children describe their differential identities? How do they develop (or not) a sense of belonging in a society that to a large extent seems to reproduce inequalities between different groups? How do these senses of belonging affect their well-being and aspirations? To answer these questions, and to highlight the hardly heard experiences of children themselves, I aim to conduct a qualitative longitudinal analysis of children's identity formation during the age of eleven and thirteen. Employing a cultural-sociological approach - inspired by, among others, Bourdieu's work - I will track the heterogeneous group of children during their transition from primary to secondary education. Three rounds of in-depth interviews and class observations will be held over this period of more than two years. In addition, I will conduct interviews with parents and focus groups with teachers and peers, in order to gain insight into their stimulating or restricting role in the children's differential identity formation.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Verschraegen Gert
• Co-promoter: Clycq Noel
• Fellow: Kostet Imane

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The transition from education to work is a challenging life phase for many graduates. This especially holds for youngsters stemming from a low socio-economic background. Prior research has shown that in general their transition to work is less successful compared to peers with a high socio-economic status (SES). Within this project, a 'successful' transition refers to holding a stable and satisfying job. As such, both objective (employment status and contract) and subjective indicators (job satisfaction and person-organisation fit) are considered. Prior research has argued that SES differences can be attributed to a differential access to resources. Yet, little is known about these specific resources. The current project advances an individual's social network as a crucial resource in the transition from education to work. More specifically, it examines if the composition, quality and dynamics of social networks differ among high and low SES individuals and how this relates to their transition to work. Finally, this project considers within-group differences; as it aims to unravel whether low SES graduates who manage to go against the pattern of intergenerational transmission of SES, develop different social networks compared to their peers.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Clycq Noel
• Promoter: Kyndt Eva
• Fellow: De Schepper Ayla

Research team(s)

• EduBROn

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This PhD project studies new trends in the educational field, namely the establishment of 'alternative' forms of education by 'socially vulnerable' individuals and groups. These initiatives are taken with the specific aim to tackle difficulties experienced by vulnerable youth in mainstream education, such as discrimination and ongoing educational inequality. However, while these initiatives have sparked polarized reactions in public debate, our academic knowledge on these specific spaces of schooling remains scarce. This is an important gap in our understanding of these educational and societal processes, which we aim to address with this PhD project. To this end, this project applies a thorough qualitative-ethnographic methodology in a limited number of cases. Through observation of everyday interactions as well as conducting in-depth interviews with a variety of actors, it seeks to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms at play. Such a methodological and explorative research approach is desirable in order to do justice to the complexities in these settings.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Clycq Noel
• Fellow: Steenwegen Julia

Research team(s)

• EduBROn

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In the European HORIZON 2020 project 'MICADO: Migrant Integration Cockpits and Dashboards' (Innovative Actions), experts of public administration, academics conducting research on migration and IT developers will design an IT solution which can facilitate and support the integration of newcomers in Antwerp, Bologna, Hamburg and Madrid. The goal is to design attractive digital services for three user groups: 1) government agencies for labor, health, education and housing, 2) involved civil society organizations, and 3) migrants and refugees, by integrating both existing and new data. CeMIS will focus primarily on the organization, the design and the local implementation of co-creation workshops, which will serve as a basis for the developed tool. The result of the MICADO project will be a validated and developed app, which local city services and migrants and refugees can use to facilitate the navigation and participation of the latter group through and in the Flemish authorities and society.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Timmerman Christiane
• Promoter: Van Praag Lore
• Co-promoter: Clycq Noel

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This research project focuses on the impact of globalisation and diversification on various educational processes. This comprehensive topic is subdivided into different more specific research projects, e.g. studying the macro- and meso-level of educational policies, the notion of collective agency of 'groups', and the micro-level of teacher-student relations and the role of parents. This research project applies a mixed-method framework with special attention to methods allowing to give space to the experiences and meanings of individuals and groups.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Clycq Noel
• Fellow: Clycq Noel

Research team(s)

• EduBROn

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The central aim of this research is to examine how children with diverse backgrounds construct personal and collective identities in the super-diverse city of Antwerp. How do children describe their differential identities? How do they develop (or not) a sense of belonging in a society that to a large extent seems to reproduce inequalities between different groups? How do these senses of belonging affect their well-being and aspirations? To answer these questions, and to highlight the hardly heard experiences of children themselves, I aim to conduct a qualitative longitudinal analysis of children's identity formation during the age of eleven and thirteen. Employing a cultural-sociological approach - inspired by, among others, Bourdieu's work - I will track the heterogeneous group of children during their transition from primary to secondary education. Three rounds of in-depth interviews and class observations will be held over this period of more than two years. In addition, I will conduct interviews with parents and focus groups with teachers and peers, in order to gain insight into their stimulating or restricting role in the children's differential identity formation.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Verschraegen Gert
• Co-promoter: Clycq Noel
• Fellow: Kostet Imane

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

A shortterm cooperation with the Mo-Trayl team of professor Valentina Mazzucato from Maastricht University. 'Mobility trajectories of young lives' (MO-TRAYL) is a five year research project (2017-2021) studying the relation between migration and the life opportunities of youngsters. A specific addition from the team at University of Antwerp is the focus on the identity experience of youngsters.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Clycq Noel

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In this project we aim to look at the challenges that come with big cities such as increased youth unemployment. One way to tackle youth unemployment is 'dual learning', an education system in which youngsters receive more than 50% of their education at work. This system has several advantages. First it prepares the youngster for the labour market, gives him/her real work experience and they receive a qualification by the end of their education. On the other hand it is also beneficial for the employer, as they can train future employees and give them the valuable skills needed for the job. This project will look at the specific challenges for applying dual learning in three cities, Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent. We further want to develop an international partnership to continuously share information and best practices with other cities and projects that work on dual learning and youth unemployment.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Clycq Noel
• Promoter: Timmerman Christiane
• Co-promoter: Van Praag Lore

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The ACCORD-project (Erasmus+ programme) must be seen against the background of recent demographic evolutions within the European society, as ethno-national and socio-cultural conflicts become more prominent in everyday life. As a result educational institutions have to adapt to this newly-formed environment and social reality. It is within this context that the ACCORD project wants to provide a structured and innovative platform to help teachers in taking an active stand against all forms of discrimination and to help them dealing with diversity and possible interethnic conflicts in the classroom. To meet these goals, the project wants to create a flexible, accessible and affordable online learning tool for all teachers across Europe. The ICT-tool will combine a serious-game approach with a massive online open course to provide a creative pathway for teachers to autonomously assess and improve their intercultural competences. The content of the tool will not solely focus on enhancing the conflict resolution, negotiation and mediation skills of teachers, but also on raising their competences related to cultural sensitivity and cultural self-awareness. This two-fold approach should lead to the fostering of mutual understanding and respect among people with different ethnic-cultural backgrounds within the context of educational practices.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Clycq Noel
• Promoter: Timmerman Christiane
• Co-promoter: Van Praag Lore

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project
• Education Project

Abstract

This research project focuses on the evaluation of pilot projects in consecutive empirical cycles. Using the theory based stakeholder evaluation approach, we test the programme theory behind the pilot projects and compare them to the practical experiences, insights and expectations of the various actors in the field. The research questions and the preliminary findings drawn from the administrative data are, together, determinant of the cases selection to conduct 5 cycles of qualitative research. Moreover, within the same time frame, we set up a quantitative longitudinal study involving youngsters in these pilot projects in order to collect both administrative and new survey-data.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Clycq Noel
• Co-promoter: Timmerman Christiane

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Within the refugee population, unaccompanied minors constitute the most vulnerable group, for which European and international standards offer care and protection. However, when these minors reach the age of adulthood (+18), they are no longer able to benefit from subsidized shelter, enrollment in reception classes, customized trainings, and the support from a legal guardian. The CURANT consortium (OCMW Antwerpen, CeMIS (UA), Atlas Inburgering en Integratie Antwerpen, Solentra, Vormingplus, Jes vzw) radically wants to break with this reality, by means of two innovations to be 'tested' on a selection of minimum 75 and maximum 135 unaccompanied young adult refugees between 2016 and 2019: 1) Co-housing with volunteer buddies (not only for reasons of shelter, but as a means to sustainable 1-on-1 integration) 2) Circular integrated individual trajectories (focused on activation, education, independent living, language, leisure, social integration and psychological counseling), with intensive follow-up by means of individual case management. As the academic stakeholder, CeMIS is in charge of the evaluation study of this social intervention.The framework for evalution is 'theory-driven evaluation' (TDE, Cheng 2015). The researchers will assess the impact of co-housing schemes and the circular approach on the integration of the target group by using a multi-method research design, including in-depth interviews, observation and survey.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Clycq Noel
• Promoter: Timmerman Christiane

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Cities around the world are diversifying in a rapid pace and a metropolitan city such as Antwerp is no exception to this trend. Against the background of the ongoing refugee crisis, international conflict in the Middle-East and jihadi-Salafist terrorism, many Flemish natives currently perceive the growing presence of Muslims as a fundamental threat to our society. The latter is imagined as a secular, or at least 'inherently' non-Islamic society. However, Muslims are often a marginal voice in these public debates and insights on how Muslim identities are (re-)negotiated in such a 'hostile' context are scarce. Some research has indicated that the hostility towards Muslims is growing, while, at the same time, the religious identity of many Muslims is becoming more important and tends to be represented as a crucial emblem of their identity. Many Muslims, however, rather denounce the essentializing processes placed upon them by many Flemish natives, which tend to perceive and categorize Muslims solely based upon this religious affiliation. It is this conundrum the current research proposal wants to tackle: how is ethno-religious identity of Muslims in Flanders made and unmade in the everyday interaction between individuals, as well as in the broader public debate? The proposed project aims to further analyse this apparent conundrum by putting forward the hypothesis that a growing religious self-identification among Muslims is related to the deteriorating public image of Islam and Muslim identity. To gain insights in these often unconscious and difficult to grasp processes of boundary and identity work, we designed a multiphase mixed methods design in three distinct sequences. Furthermore, we study these processes in nine different settings: four secondary schools, one tertiary education setting and four labour market settings to get fine-grained insight both on the individual as well as on the institutional level (socio-demographic composition of the specific context and open or conservative approach to diversity). The innovative methodological framework engages with these issues via three strategies: we start with a broad survey analysis to construct specific profiles of respondents that are used to deepen our understanding in two subsequent phases. First respondents with specific profiles are asked to participate in individual in-depth interviews facilitated by the Photo Q Methodology as to study boundary work from the perspective of the individual. In a final stage individuals are asked to participate in 'confrontational' focus group discussions to study boundary and identity work in a real life resembling interactional context as to study how boundaries are reworked when confronted with significant others.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Verschraegen Gert
• Co-promoter: Clycq Noel
• Fellow: Driezen Ariadne

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change
• Centre on Inequality, Poverty, Social Exclusion and the City

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand the client. UA provides the client research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Duerloo Luc
• Co-promoter: Clycq Noel
• Co-promoter: Opdebeeck Hendrik

Research team(s)

• Power in History - Centre for Political History

Project type(s)

• Education Project
• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a research contract awarded by the University of Antwerp. The supervisor provides the Antwerp University research mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions stipulated by the university.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Clycq Noel

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project