First-Generation Students in the post-pandemic university: Centring students’ experiences in moving towards a more inclusive higher education

This special issue, titled ‘First-Generation Students in the post-pandemic university: Centring students’ experiences in moving towards a more inclusive higher education’, brings together eight research articles that shed light on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student equity. By taking a holistic view on First-Generation Students’ journeys into and through higher education, and by valuing their experiences in different institutional and national contexts (Austria, Australia, Czechia, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom), this special issue offers new methodological and theoretical insights into equity and inclusion in higher education. It contributes to critically reflect on the meanings and configuration of higher education in a post-pandemic scenario by discussing how social justice-oriented policies can improve higher education for all. In this editorial, we outline the scope of this special issue and introduce each of the eight articles.