SchoRes Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities

Youth, Politics and Platforms: A Survey on Digital Activism and Political Behavior

Madyson Spencer — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0100

The intersection of youth, politics, and digital platforms has redefined political engagement in the 21st century. This paper surveys the evolving landscape of digital activism and political behavior among young people, particularly focusing on how social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are shaping contemporary political participation. In the aftermath of global movements like the Arab Spring, Black Lives Matter, and climate strikes led by youth activists, there is increasing evidence that digital platforms serve not merely as tools for communication but as arenas for political expression, mobilization, and resistance. This study explores the motivations, methods, and impacts of digital activism practiced by young people, examining how online engagement complements or replaces traditional political activities such as voting, campaigning, or protesting in physical spaces. Special attention is given to the role of algorithms, platform design, and online communities in reinforcing or challenging political identities and behaviors. The paper also analyses the ambivalent effects of digital activism its potential to democratize political participation and amplify marginalized voices, contrasted with the risks of misinformation, performative engagement, and digital surveillance. Drawing on a wide range of interdisciplinary research, the paper situates youth-led digital activism within broader social, political, and technological contexts. It reviews current scholarship on political socialization, media ecology, and youth civic engagement to provide a holistic understanding of how young citizens are transforming the nature of political discourse and action. By mapping key patterns, platforms, and case studies, this paper aims to offer valuable insights into the future of political behavior in an increasingly digital world, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges that digital activism presents for democratic participation and civic life.

Mapping Memory and Trauma in Contemporary Media: A Survey of Representational Practices

Sanaullah — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0100

In an era marked by rapid technological change, widespread conflict, and the growing visibility of marginalized narratives, contemporary media has emerged as a critical space for exploring memory and trauma. This paper surveys the evolving representational practices across diverse media platforms film, television, digital art, interactive installations, and social media that engage with both individual and collective experiences of trauma. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from trauma theory, memory studies, and media analysis, the paper investigates how media forms depict painful histories and emotional wounds through fragmented narratives, nonlinear storytelling, visual metaphors, and immersive environments. Representing trauma and memory in media is not merely a technical or aesthetic challenge, it is deeply ethical and political. The paper explores how various works use silence, absence, and disruption to signify trauma, while others rely on interactivity and audience participation to reconstruct collective memory. In doing so, these representations often blur the boundaries between documentary and fiction, public and private, and personal pain and historical reckoning. The study also examines how audiences respond to traumatic representations, considering the impact on education, activism, and healing. At the same time, it raises questions about ethical responsibility, potential retraumatization, and the commodification of suffering. Through case studies including films like Waltz with Bashir, digital memorials, and social media campaigns, this paper identifies patterns and innovations in how trauma is communicated, contested,and commemorated. Ultimately, this paper argues that contemporary media plays a vital role ins haping cultural memory and mediating trauma. By tracing key trends and representational strategies,the study offers insight into the transformative power and limitations of media in capturing the complexities of human suffering and remembrance.

Narratives of Nature: A review of Climate Representations in Historical and Cultural Contexts

Sadia Nazeer, Iraj Miraj — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Climate change has emerged as one of the most urgent global challenges of the 21st century. However, the way societies understand and respond to it is shaped not only by science and policy but also by historical and cultural narratives. This survey paper explores how climate has been represented across time and in various cultural contexts, examining the symbolic, religious, political, and literary frameworks that have shaped human understanding of nature and environmental change. From ancient myths and religious cosmologies to Enlightenment-era natural philosophies and modern climate fiction, climate representations have influenced how communities perceive their relationship with nature, frame responsibility, and imagine futures. The review begins by exploring historical narratives that portrayed climate as a divine force or natural cycle, highlighting how such interpretations informed early agricultural and spiritual systems. It then examines shifts in representation during the industrial and post-industrial periods, where nature was increasingly seen as something to dominate, measure, or exploit. These transitions are crucial in understanding the cultural roots of anthropocentrism and ecological crisis. The paper further surveys contemporary cultural narratives of climate change found in literature, visual media, indigenous cosmologies, and activist discourse. Particular attention is given to the rise of climate fiction, eco-critical theory, and the visual politics of environmental documentaries and campaigns. Additionally, it considers how narratives differ across global contexts, particularly between the Global North and South, and how these disparities reflect broader issues of power, colonial legacy, and environmental justice. By reviewing diverse climate representations over time, this paper argues that cultural narratives are not merely reflective but formative, they shape public consciousness, influence policy responses, and help or hinder collective action. Understanding these narratives is essential for building more inclusive, just, and effective climate communication and engagement strategies in the present and future.

Global Lives and Moral Boundaries: A Review of Transnationalism, Diasporas and Ethical Dimensions of Migration

Nilufa Islam — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0100

In an increasingly interconnected world, migration is no longer a singular act of relocation but a complex and continuous process shaped by global networks, transnational identities, and evolving moral debates. This paper reviews the interlinked phenomena of transnationalism and Diasporas while critically examining the ethical dimensions that emerge in contemporary migration discourse. As individuals and communities maintain simultaneous ties across borders, traditional notions of national belonging, citizenship, and cultural identity are redefined. These transnational linkages challenge rigid state-centric views and demand new frameworks for understanding mobility, responsibility, and justice. Diasporic communities have become key actors in shaping political, economic, and cultural landscapes across both their countries of origin and settlement. Their engagement ranges from remittance economies and trans local activism to cultural preservation and digital diasporas. However, these networks also raise ethical questions around dual loyalty, integration, and exclusion. At the same time, global migration governance has struggled to keep pace with moral and practical dilemmas, such as border securitization, refugee protection, statelessness, and the unequal treatment of migrants based on race, class, or nationality. This paper critically reviews academic and policy literature across multiple disciplines, including sociology, political science, ethics, and global studies, to explore how transnational and diasporic experiences interact with moral boundaries in migration. It highlights how migration is not only about movement but about contested meanings of belonging, identity, and obligation in an era of global inequality and moral uncertainty. By drawing on theoretical insights and empirical case studies, the paper aims to offer a comprehensive and ethically attuned perspective on global mobility. It ultimately calls for a rethinking of migration beyond borders towards frameworks that recognize human dignity, shared responsibility, and transnational justice in a pluralistic world.