Department for Educational and Social Policy
Legal Advice and Political Education
Our Duties
As the name suggests, the Department for Educational and Social Policy ("BiGesPol") focuses on current developments in education and social policy. Our work is built on two pillars:
- Political participation: Through panel discussions, excursions, and more, we give students the chance to critically engage with educational and social policy issues.
- Legal support: We interpret and comment on legal developments affecting students, and we also offer workshops and in-depth legal advice on University Law.
On this page, you’ll learn more about what we do.
Your Voice
Political Education
We take a broad look at social and political developments - but things get especially relevant when they directly affect students.
A regular highlight of our program is hosting panel discussions ahead of major elections (most recently the 2024 EU elections and the 2025 ÖH elections), giving you the chance to make well-informed political decisions.
We also organize talks on current political topics, excursions, and share content via social media.
When it comes to educational policy, we also make our voices heard: If, for example, a new university is built next to JKU and completely ignores existing University Law, or if university budgets are being redistributed, you can expect a public statement from BiGesPol.
We’ll keep you updated via email whenever the next event is coming up!
Here for your questions
Legal Advice
As BiGesPol, we often deal with university law and the legal framework at JKU. To support students, we offer legal advice on study-related questions, such as:
- How many attempts do I have for an exam?
- How long can lectureres take to give me my grade?
- What can I do if I’ve been graded unfairly?
We’re happy to answer all these questions and more!
Just come by our weekly office hours or email us!
In addition to one-on-one advice, we also run regular trainings - both within ÖH JKU and publicly for all students.
Workshops and Talks on exciting topics
ÖH Academy
How can I improve my public speaking skills? How do the ÖH elections actually work? What can I contribute to an interdisciplinary team?
Starting in the summer semester of 2026, the ÖH Academy will offer a series of exciting workshops and talks to strengthen soft skills and shed light on interesting questions.
You will, of course, always be informed about the current course offerings by email and social media - check it out!
Our Events and Workshops
April 2026
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(K)Ein Einzelfall? Zwischen Hörsaal und Mensafest
Following a racist incident at the cafeteria festival in mid-December 2025, the Department for Educational and Social Policy, in collaboration with the Center for Civil Society, invites you to a keynote presentation followed by a discussion on April 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in Lecture Hall 7 of the Kepler Building.
You can find all the details about the event here!
ÖH-internal
Workshop “Theater of the Oppressed”: Committee Work and Student Issues
Members of the ÖH JKU face oppression in various university bodies and in their work. In this internal training session for student representatives on April 13, 2026, we will practice how to deal with it and learn about possible courses of action.
At the Theater of the Oppressed, amateur actors perform a short scene from their community in which they have experienced oppression - in our context, this could be an unfair situation in a committee or an incident of bullying in a course. After the initial showing, the scene is performed a second time, and this time members of the audience are invited to join in and change the scene. In the end, we see whether we were able to improve the situation through our intervention.
February 2026
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Protest March against the Burschenbundball
Together with ÖHs of FH OÖ, PHOÖ, PHDL and the University of Arts we march as a "Colorful Crowd" against the Burschenbundball: German nationalism and right-wing extermists have no place at our universities!
Join our march on February 7th at Hauptplatz Linz and make a colorful statement!
December 2025
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Cinema Visit & Discussion „The Change“
The movie The Change talks about societaly change, and how big movements can sometimes start in small family circles.
We will watch the movie together in English on 01.12 at Moviemento and will discuss it afterwards in a cozy atmosphere.
November 2025
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Gratwanderung through Homeless Linz
Together with the editorial office Kupfermuckn, we are inviting you on a hike on November 6th, 2025 through the Linz of the Homeless. The hike is lead by a homeless person, takes ca. 1.5h and impressively shows the reality of homeless people in Linz.
October 2025
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ÖH-internal
Workshop: Study Law Basics
Study Life is governed by a plethora of laws. In order to properly represent you and fight for your rights, we are training Student Union members on legal matters.
On October 8th we'll therefore host an ÖH-internal training on University Law and Financial Matters: Contents are ÖH JKU's Gebarungsordnung, the IFG, the HSG and the UG.
Who we are
Our Team
Our Team currently consists of five students:
Department Head: Marlene Kemetmüller
Members:
- Anna Gager
- Felix Ferchhumer
- Noah Bichler
- Alice Schwarz
Would you also like to join the team? Get in touch!
Get in touch
Contact
E-Mail: bigespol@oeh.jku.at
Office: Keplergebäude (near Hall B)
Opening Hours: Every Thursday, 14:00-15:00 (except during lecture-free days and holidays)