Developing a Research Agenda to Support CCE in the Future

Abstract

There is a solid CCE research based on which future research can be built. This chapter will argue, however, that a future research agenda needs to be expanded and it needs to be a priority. First, theoretical/philosophical/conceptual research will need to move beyond democratic theory so that the forces of democratic deconsolidation can be better understood. While democratic theory will always be important for understanding CCE, understanding the forces aligned against democracy will also be important. Second, the multiple sites for civic learning must also be better understood as well as the ways they interact. Clearly, social media is one of these sites and it will deserve special attention in the future. Civic learning itself also needs to be the subject of future research. Third, every effort will need to be made to draw on the broadest range of research in cognate disciples to ensure that there is a much better understanding of the multiple ways young people are inducted into civic learning. Finally, it is acknowledged that more needs to be known about how young people learn in order to assist with the development of CCE programs that will have an impact in supporting young people to become knowledgeable, participative and tolerant citizens in what can only be volatile times in the future.