StudentNation

StudentNation is a program of the Nation Fund for Independent Journalism and is made possible through generous funding from the Puffin Foundation. StudentNation focuses on first-person accounts from student activists, organizers, and journalists and has helped launch the careers of contributors to The New York Times, Vox, Business Insider, Teen Vogue, the Guardian, and more. If you’re a student and you have an article idea, please send pitches and questions to [email protected]. 

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announcing the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

2028 Democratic Hopefuls Take on Data Centers 2028 Democratic Hopefuls Take on Data Centers

Data center opposition can foster a bigger Democratic tent by aligning red and blue, and rural and urban communities.

Oct 14, 2026 / StudentNation / Ilana Cohen

A student sits on Cornell’s campus before a protest against the university’s actions following Jane Doe’s alleged sexual assault at a campus fraternity in 2024.

The Architecture of Campus Assault The Architecture of Campus Assault

College sexual assault is predictable. Here's how to change that.

Oct 13, 2026 / StudentNation / Lily Seltz and Lara-Nour Walton

People gather on and around the statue in the center of the Place de la République at the end of a demonstration part of a nationwide day of actions called by high-school students who have been demanding better learning conditions in protests punctuated by violent confrontations in Paris.

France’s Students Won’t Back Down France’s Students Won’t Back Down

Without full-time teachers, temperature-regulated classrooms, or school nurses, French students are turning their grievances into a national movement.

Oct 13, 2026 / StudentNation / Diana Sophia Cordoba

Cornell students gathered for a week of community action after a lawsuit filed by a former student alleging that she was gang-raped by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity sparked outrage.

Inside Cornell’s Week of Protest Inside Cornell’s Week of Protest

“We won’t be silenced anymore. Our university needs to start protecting us, like they should’ve with Jane Doe and all other survivors on campus.”

Oct 9, 2026 / StudentNation / Jeannine Chiang

Students walk around Northeastern’s campus.

Northeastern’s Lack of Transparency Undermines Student Journalists Northeastern’s Lack of Transparency Undermines Student Journalists

The lack of access to university administration makes it hard for student reporters to report fully on campus affairs.

Oct 9, 2026 / StudentNation / Heidi Ho

Since 2020, the David Network has grown from a collection of pro-life student activists to a burgeoning conservative career network.

The Conservative Organization Building a New Young Elite The Conservative Organization Building a New Young Elite

From pro-life summits to Palantir résumé drops, the David Network is discreetly building a pipeline for conservative college students.

Oct 8, 2026 / StudentNation / Ethan Sun

A crowd gathered around a 12-foot cardboard version of Claes Oldenburg’s lipstick sculpture to protest their university and government.

Yale’s Protest Tradition Is Back Yale’s Protest Tradition Is Back

For the first time in more than 50 years, Yale students gathered around an iconic sculpture to protest their university and their government.

Oct 7, 2026 / StudentNation / Zachary Clifton

At just 17 years old, Milan van Dam is not only the youngest-ever member of the executive committee, but also the youngest member of the DNC.

What Gen Z Actually Wants, According to the DNC's Youngest Member What Gen Z Actually Wants, According to the DNC's Youngest Member

Milan van Dam says Gen Z is the generation that is most empathetic toward their peers.

Oct 6, 2026 / StudentNation / Cate Latimer and Alice Scott

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spoke to 1,200 people at the “Students vs. Billionaires” town hall.

Cornell Students Challenge University Power at a “Students vs. Billionaires” Town Hall Cornell Students Challenge University Power at a “Students vs. Billionaires” Town Hall

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spoke to Ithaca students about tuition hikes, sexual violence, free speech, and university governance.

Oct 2, 2026 / StudentNation / Jeannine Chiang

Sohei Kamiya, leader of Japan’s Sanseito party, delivers a speech at a Sanseito street rally in Tokyo.

Japan’s Far Right Is Courting Young Voters Japan’s Far Right Is Courting Young Voters

Sanseitō has attracted young voters through a robust social-media strategy, Charlie Kirk–like public speaking events, and anti-establishment messaging.

Sep 30, 2026 / StudentNation / Sena Chang

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