On May 29, 2025, I had the pleasure of participating—together with Jordi Nofre—in the IV Conference of the Youth and Society Studies Network (REJS 3.0), held under the inspiring title “Youth Intelligences for Social Change: Emerging Demands and Commitments.”
Our joint presentation, titled “Propuesta de investigación cuantitativa interseccional sobre el valor social, cultural, comunitario y socioemocional del ocio nocturno juvenil en España”, put forward the framework for a new research project that seeks to map, measure, and interpret the complex values young people attach to nightlife experiences across Spain.
We proposed an intersectional quantitative design to capture the diverse social and emotional meanings of youth nighttime leisure, emphasizing the need for more inclusive, participatory, and youth-informed approaches to public policies on urban nightlife. This proposal emerges in a context where the night continues to be overlooked or narrowly addressed in policy debates—often reduced to issues of security or consumption—rather than seen as a vital space for cultural expression, community bonding, and emotional wellbeing.
We are grateful to the REJS 3.0 community for the enriching exchanges and critical perspectives shared during the session. Special thanks to the organizers for opening space to reflect on the affective and political potential of youth cultures—especially at night.
Manuel Garcia-Ruiz 