Introduction

This introductory chapter sets the context for Student Identity and Political Agency: Activism, Representation and Consumer Rights. It will outline the main motivations for writing this book and the key contributions it aims to make in the field of higher education research. The chapter defines and unpacks the key concepts, including student identity and political agency that form the core focus of this book. Finally, the chapter situates the core lines of arguments within the contexts of international higher education, the COVID-19 pandemic and this author's biases. The chapter summaries are also provided at the end of this chapter to facilitate the reader's engagement with this book.