Student-led policy advocacy as living labs: Examining civic capability development in Indonesian higher education
This study examines whether living lab pedagogy develops civic capabilities in Indonesian university students. In a semester-long course, 98 students formed 20 teams executing authentic advocacy campaigns on self-selected policy issues. Using mixed methods (surveys, interviews, document analysis), we assessed civic capability development across six domains. Teams collectively generated 127,000 petition signatures and engaged civil society organizations. Thematic analysis reveals governance and justice issues dominated priorities (45%), with 65% of campaigns motivated by direct policy failure experiences. Interview data (n=35) suggests civic identity shifts and increased political efficacy. However, the study's preliminary nature, lack of comparison group, and limited follow-up constrain causal claims. Findings suggest living labs offer a promising pedagogical model, though longitudinal experimental research is needed.
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Article Information
- Article Type Research Articles
- Submitted January 28, 2026
- Accepted March 7, 2026
- Published March 30, 2026
- Issue Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): Pedagogical Perspective (March)
- Section Research Articles
