Chapters

Bessant, J., Pickard, S., and Watts, R., forthcoming, ‘Intergenerational solidarity, young people, ‘grannies’, ‘nannas’ and climate politics: thinking with Bourdieu’, in Hankel, B, Moore, K, Miranda, A, Shildrick, T., and Laguna, E. (eds) The SAGE handbook of global youth studies, Sage. 

Bessant, J., and Pickard, S., 2026, ‘Student protests and youth action against the pension reforms in France’, in Erdal, C. and Kennelly, J. (eds), Handbook on youth activism, De Gruyter: 299-310 

Bessant, J., Catanzaro, M., and Watts, R., 2026, ‘Political satire, carnivale and Australia’s School Strike for Climate’, in Bowman, B. and Akram, S. (eds), Handbook of young people and environmental activism, Routledge. 

Bessant, J., Lyon, S., Watts, R., 2025, The Politics of Food Wastes: Dumpster Diving as Sustainable Direct action,  Benedicto, J,  Josué (eds)  Engaged Youth, Activist Youth. How and Why Young People Mobilise Today (Jóvenes comprometidos, jóvenes activistas. Como y por qué las personas jovenes se movilizan hoy) La Catarata publishers https://www.catarata.org/libro/jovenes-comprometidos-jovenes-activistas_168856/

Bessant, J., 2025, Youthful subjectivities and prospects of a post Anthropocentric social imaginary’. Benedico, J., Betancor, H., (eds) Youth Activism: Socio-Political Engagements & Youth Activisms, National University of Distance Education, Madrid, Spain: 224-231, https://oai.e-spacio.uned.es/server/api/core/bitstreams/7fea45ee-e0b5-4e79-8281-39c7ae9b88e0/content

Bessant, J., Collin, P., and Watts, R., 2025, ‘Student action, protest and gender’, in Blair, E., and Deckman, S. (eds), The SAGE encyclopedia of education and gender and political action – beyond the houses of parliament, Sage, Thousand Oaks, USA, https://books.google.de/books/about/The_Sage_International_Encyclopedia_of_P.html?id=7_N-EQAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y

Watts, R., Bessant, J., Jackson, S., Catanzaro, M., Gordon, F., and Collin, P., 2024, ‘Academic freedom v climate change denial: how the politics of research funding shapes the possibilities for researching grassroots activism’, in von Mering, S., Bell, T., da Silva, A., Faustino, S., Steele, W., Ward, A and Arjona Soberón, M. (eds), Routledge handbook of global climate activism, Routledge. https://researchers.westernsydney.edu.au/en/publications/academic-freedom-v-climate-change-denial-how-the-politics-of-rese/

Farthing, R., and Bessant, J., 2024, ‘Eating our young: time for the state to reign in big tech’, in Bessant, J., Collin, P. and O’Keefe, P. (eds), Research handbook for the sociology of youth, Edward Elgar. https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/research-handbook-on-the-sociology-of-youth-9781803921792.html?srsltid=AfmBOopAH98y7BOOfImqfwQWorx1ctcb2DapagXwnnCD1HXpTP7117ZM

Bessant, J., Collin, P., and Watts, R, 2024, ‘A revisionist account the democratic crisis and youth participation’ in Bessant, J., Collins, P. and O’Keeffe, P. (eds), Research handbook for the sociology of youth, Edward Elgar. https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/research-handbook-on-the-sociology-of-youth-9781803921792.html?srsltid=AfmBOopAH98y7BOOfImqfwQWorx1ctcb2DapagXwnnCD1HXpTP7117ZM

Bessant, J., Collin, P., and O’Keeffe, P., 2024, ‘The sociology of youth’, in Bessant, J., Collin, P., O’Keefe, P. (eds), Research handbook for the sociology of youth, Edward Elgar. https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/research-handbook-on-the-sociology-of-youth-9781803921792.html?srsltid=AfmBOopAH98y7BOOfImqfwQWorx1ctcb2DapagXwnnCD1HXpTP7117ZM

Bessant, J., and Pickard, S., 2024, ‘The disruptive power of recognition and young environmental activists’, in Conner, J. (ed), Handbook on youth activism, Edward Elgar: 31-25,  https://doi.org/10.4337/9781803923222.00012

 Bessant, J., 2024, ‘Developmentalism and the politics of representing young people in public discourse: Moscovici and Bourdieu’, in Svendsen, B., and Jonsson, R. (eds), Routledge handbook on language & youth culture, Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003166849-40/developmentalism-politics-representing-young-people-public-discourse-judith-bessant

Bessant, J., and Watts, R., 2023, ‘Reframing young people’s political participation’, in Wyn, J., Cuervo, H., and Cahill, H. (eds), Childhood and youth studies handbook, Springer. https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-981-99-8606-4_114

Collin, P., Bessant, J., and Watts, R., 2023, ‘“When we can’t vote, action is all we have”: student climate politics, rights and justice’, in K. Wright and J. McLeod (eds), Childhood, youth and activism: global perspectives on demands for rights and justice from young people and their advocates, Emerald Publishing.

Bessant, J and Watts, R., 2023, ‘Political engagement’, in Giugni, M and Grasso, M. (eds), The encyclopedia of political sociology, Edward Elgar. https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/elgar-encyclopedia-of-political-sociology-9781803921228.html?srsltid=AfmBOor42N7sb4J-Bo9Jo-24lW0XXdAD7dmQO05n5aCsH-WM6oBYGwyR

Bessant, J., 2022, ‘Young women, gender and the future of political participation’, in Grasso, M and Giugni, M. (eds), The Oxford handbook of political participation, Oxford University Press. https://api.pageplace.de/preview/DT0400.9780192605344_A43644547/preview-9780192605344_A43644547.pdf

Devries, M., Bessant, J., Watts, R., 2021, ‘The uncanny involvement of technologies’, in Devries, M., Bessant, J., Watts, R. (eds), The rise of the far-right: technologies of recruitment & mobilization, Rowman and Littlefield. https://luccousineauphd.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2021-Cousineau-Positive-Identity-for-Men-Chapter-7-Rise-of-the-Far-Right.pdf

Bessant, J., 2021, ‘Representations of young people and neoliberal developmentalism in the Global South’, in Swartz, S., Cooper, A., Camarena, R., and Batan, C. (eds), The Oxford handbook of global south youth studies, Oxford University Press.

Bessant, J., and Watts., 2021, ‘The criminalisation of solidarity: asylum seekers and Australia’s illiberal democracy’, in D. della Porta and E. Steinhilper (eds), Contentious politics of migrant solidarity: shrinking spaces and civil society contestation, Routledge. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369201849_Chapter_3_The_criminalisation_of_solidarity_asylum-seekers_and_Australia's_illiberal-democracy_1

Bessant, J., and Lohmeyer, B., 2021, ‘Politics of recognition when students protest’, in Bessant, J., Mejia Mesinas, A., and Pickard, S. (eds), 2021, When students protest: secondary and high schools, Rowman and Littlefield.

Bessant, J, Mejia Mesinas, A., and Pickard, S., 2021, ‘When secondary and high school students protest: introductory essay’, in Bessant, J., Mejia Mesinas, A., and Pickard, S. (eds), When students protest: secondary and high schools, Rowman and Littlefield.

Bessant, J, Mejia Mesinas, A., and Pickard, S., 2021, ‘Student protest in the Global South: introductory essay’, in Bessant, J., Mejia Mesinas, A., and Pickard, S. (eds), When students protest: universities in the Global South, Rowman and Littlefield.

Bessant, J, Mejia Mesinas, A., and Pickard, S., 2021, ‘Political participation and university students’ action: introductory essay’, in Bessant, J., Mejia Mesinas, A., and Pickard, S. (eds), When students protest: universities in the Global North, Rowman and Littlefield.

Bessant, J., and Watts, R., 2019, ‘Child prisoners, human rights and human rights activism: beyond ‘emergency’ and ‘exceptionality’ – an Australian case study’, in Blouin Genest G., Doran, M., and Paquerot, S. (eds), Human rights as battlefields: emergence, translation and contestation, Palgrave.

Bessant, J., 2019, ‘Channelling hope through peer to peer technology: education and participatory practice’, in Campbell, P., Harrison, L., Hickey, C., and Kelly, P. (eds), Young people and the politics of outrage and hope, Brill Publishers.

Montero, K., and Bessant, J., 2019, ‘The moral emotions in politics and anti-politics’, in Campbell, P., Harrison, L., and Hickey, C., and Kelly, P. (eds), Young people and the politics of outrage and hope, Brill Publishers.

Bessant, J., and Watts, R., 2018, ‘Uncomfortable knowledge and the ethics of good practice in Australia’s offshore refugee detention centers’, in Alldred, P., Cullen, F., Edwards, K., and Fusco, D. (eds), The SAGE handbook of youth work practice, Sage. https://research-repository.rmit.edu.au/articles/chapter/Uncomfortable_knowledge_and_the_ethics_of_good_practice_in_Australia_s_offshore_refugee_detention_centers/27365112/1/files/50735010.pdf

Bessant, J., and Grasso, M., 2018, ‘Youth politics in the age of surveillance’, in Grasso, M., and Bessant J. (eds), Governing youth politics in the age of surveillance, Routledge.

Henn, M., Oldfield, B., and Bessant, J., 2018, ‘Electoral engineering and surveillance: British young people and politics’, in Grasso, M. and Bessant J. (eds), Governing youth politics in the age of surveillance, Routledge.

Bessant, J., 2017, ‘Right-wing populism and young stormers: conflict in democratic politics’, in Pickard, S. and Bessant, J. (eds), Young people and the regeneration of politics in times of crises, Palgrave Macmillan.

Bessant, J., 2017, ‘Digital humour, gag laws and the liberal security state’, in Baarda, R., and Luppicini, R. (eds), Digital media integration for participatory democracy, IGI Global.

Bessant, J., and Watts, R., 2017, ‘Predatory corporations and globalisation’, in A. Pool-Funai, R, Roy, and A. Farazmand (eds), Encyclopedia of public administration, public policy and governance, Springer. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318160954_Globalization_and_Predatory_Corporations

Bessant, J., 2017, ‘Working with and thinking against Habermas’, in Murphy, M. (ed), Habermas and social theory: between theory and method, Routledge.

Bessant, J., and Watts, R., 2016, ‘Children and the law: an historical overview’, in L. Young, Kenny, M. A., and Monahan, G. (eds), Children and the law in Australia, 2nd edition, Lexis Nexis. 

Bessant, J., 2014, ‘In pursuit of El Dorado: notes on an of an encounter with youth policy in terra incognita’, in Kamp, A., and Kelly, P. (eds), A critical youth studies for the 21st century, Brill Academic Publishers.

Bessant, J., 2014, ‘Smoking guns’ reflections on truth and politics in the university’, in Thornton, M. (ed), Through a glass darkly: the neoliberal university and the social sciences, ANU Press. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/299509797_'Smoking_Guns'_Reflections_on_Truth_and_Politics_in_the_University

Bessant, J, Emslie, M., and Watts, R., 2013, ‘What happens when things go wrong? A case for practical wisdom’, in te Riele, K., and Brooks, R. (eds), Negotiating ethical challenges in youth research, Routledge. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261950707_When_things_go_wrong_A_reflection_on_students_as_youth_researchers

Bessant, J., 2013, ‘Justice and social inclusion policies’, in Carrington, K., Ball, M., O’Brien, E., and Tauri, J. (eds), Crime, justice & social democracy: an international perspective, Palgrave Macmillan.

Bessant, J., and Farthing, R., 2012, ‘Presenting research to different audiences’, in Bradford, S., and Cullen, F. (eds), Research methods for youth practitioners, Routledge.

Bessant, J., 2012, ‘Australian youth work and the education of professional practitioners in Australia’, in Fusco, D. (ed), Advancing youth work: current trend, critical questions, Routledge. 

Bessant, J., and Watts, R., 2008, ‘Children and the law: an historical overview’, in G. Monohan and L. Young (eds), Children and the law in Australia, Lexis Nexis. 

Bessant, J., 2006, ‘Australian youth experts and the discovery of delinquency in the 1950s’, in Gilchrist, R., Jeffs, T., and Spence, J., Architects of change: studies in the history of youth and community work, National Youth Agency.

Bessant, J., 2006, ‘Breeding a race of hardened criminals: experts and Australia’s delinquent Bodgies and Widgies of the 1940s and 1950’', in Drawing on the past: studies in the history of community & youth work, National Youth Agency.

Bessant, J., and Hil, R., 2005, ‘Abuse of children and young people in Australia, and the conditions for restoring public trust’, in Bessant, J., Hil, R., and Watts, R. (eds), Violation of trust: how schools and welfare systems have failed our young people, Ashgate.

Bessant, J., 2004, “Taking them away”: unintended consequences or a deliberate racial hygiene strategy?’, in Hil, R., and Tait, G. (eds), Hard lessons: stories of crime control in late modernity, Ashgate.

Bessant, J., 2002, ‘Left, right or straight ahead: prospects for a progressive and critical criminology’, in Carrington, K., and Hogg, R. (eds), Critical criminology: issues, debates, challenges, Willan Publishing.

Bessant, J., and Cook, S., 2000, ‘Understanding violence against women, universal human rights and international law’, in Renzeti, C., and Goodstein, L. (eds), Women, crime and criminal justice, Roxbury Publishing Company.

Bessant, J., 2000, ‘Revising the deficit model: youth at risk in an uncertain labour market’, in Lee, J., Probert, B., and Watts. R. (eds), Work in the new economy: policy, programs, populations, Centre for Social Research.

Bessant, J., 1998, ‘Doling out the work: income security & reciprocal obligation’, in Bessant, J., and Cook, S. (eds), Against the odds: young people & work, Australian Youth Clearinghouse.

Bessant, J., and Watts, R., 1998, ‘Explorations in the ethnography of masculinity and violence amongst the Bodgies 1948–1958’, in Hazelhurst, K. and Hazelhurst, C. (eds), Justice and reform, Transaction Publishers.

Bessant, J., and Cook, S., 1998, ‘Young people and work: an overview’, in Bessant, J., and Cook, S., Against the odds: young people & work, Australian Youth Clearinghouse.

Bessant, J., 1997, ‘What the papers say: the media, the underclass and sociology’, in Bessant, J. and Hil, R. (eds), Youth crime and the media: media representations of and reaction to young people in relation to law & order, Australian Youth Research Centre.

Cook, S., and Bessant, J., 1997, ‘Australian history, policy and denial: violence against women’, in Cook, S. and Bessant, J., (eds) Women’s encounters with violence: Australian experiences, Sage.

Bessant, J., and Hil R., 1997, ‘Juvenile crime and youth unemployment: causality and the corrective agenda’, in Borowski, A. and O’Connor, I. (eds), Juvenile crime, juvenile justice and juvenile corrections, Addison-Wesley-Longman.

Bessant, J., 1995, ‘Violence, the media and the making of policy: the closure of Richmond Secondary School’, in Bessant, J., Carrington, K. and Cook, S. (eds), Cultures of crime and violence: the Australian experience, La Trobe University Press.

Bessant, J., and Watts, R., 1995, ‘Young people and violence: a focus on schools’, in Chappell, D., and Egger, S. (eds), Australian violence: contemporary perspectives, Australian Institute of Criminology.

Bessant, J., 1994, ‘The discovery of an Australian “juvenile underclass”: a reflexive exercise’, in Hicks, R., Creed, P., Keogh, D. and Tomlinson, J. (eds), Unemployment: challenges and solutions, Australian Academic Press.

Bessant, J., 1993, ‘A patchwork: the life-worlds and ‘cultures’ of young Australians: 1890–1950s’, in White, R. (ed), Youth subcultures: theory, history and the Australian experience, National Clearing House. Download here.

Bessant, J., 1993, ‘Ferrets to look after and rabbits to chase: the rural myth and the experiences of country young people in twentieth century Australia’, in Peterson, B., and Rodwell, G. (eds), Historical studies in rural education in Australasia, William Michael Press. Download here.