Social Change Lab

We were pleased to deliver the first public talk for The Contentious Politics of AI network, sharing insights from our research mapping the AI safety movement, finding critical gaps in grassroots mobilisation. Watch the video here: …ious-politics-of-ai-network.github.io #AISafety

Where is the AI safety movement? Join @unibirmingham webinar this Wednesday where our @CathyRogers will explore: How civil society is mobilising around AI safety Key risks & gaps in movement strategy Lessons from historical movements Sign up here! bham-ac-uk.zoom.us/meeting/regist…

Speaking to @AP, we discussed the central role of digital platforms, which are "powerful tools for information sharing and building connections, but the most effective movements often combine digital mobilization with traditional in-person organizing" apnews.com/article/gen-z-…

Our comment for @ABC News on the wave of 'Gen Z' protests around the world: “What connects these youth-led protests is a shared sense that traditional political systems aren’t responsive to their generation’s concerns” - Read more here: abcnews.go.com/Technology/wir…

We're recruiting new trustees to join our board! 📢 If you want to support our goal of conducting high-quality research on how social movements can be more effective, please do apply! docs.google.com/document/d/1dl…

Some recent @Philanthropy pieces dig into debates about disruptive protest. They mirror a dynamic I see all the time in animal advocacy. Grassroots activists often over-index on certain tactics, often being drawn to the aesthetics of protest. At the same time, some funders and big orgs are overly fearful of direct conflict or disruption. But protest is just a tool. So is lobbying, litigation, storytelling, dialogue, and everything else. None are inherently good or bad. Each has strengths and tradeoffs. The goal isn’t to speak truth to power or find consensus for its own sake. The goal is to win. That means being strategic, flexible, and open to a wide range of tactics. An apparatus needs to exist to capture grassroots energy and convert it into policy change, and pressure is almost always required to push change over the finish line. Funders and activists alike should stay focused on outcomes. I’m glad to have @navigationfund supporting a very wide range of organizations and tactics!

Our Director @SamNadel spoke to Canada's national public broadcaster, @CBCNews, about Gaza and whether protests can really make a difference: youtube.com/watch?v=y8gjyl… #Protest #Gaza #SocialChange

Check out @OPISOrg's new Guide to Compassionate Governance. We were pleased to contribute to the “Disruption & when it is valuable” section. Read the free PDF 👉preventsuffering.org/compassionate-… #CompassionateGovernance

8/📣Campaigners: pick your tool, connect with others. 💸 Funders: invest in pressure points — and fund the glue that holds movements together. No silver bullets. But a lot of effective tools. Read the full report → socialchangelab.org/tactics-curb-f…

7/💡 Example: Over 40 insurers dropped coverage of Adani coal mine in Australia → Massive delays → Downscaled project → Major investor concern This is the power of coordinated pressure.

🚨 Climate breakdown is being driven by a handful of fossil fuel companies. Campaigners are responding. Our latest report maps 16 tactics used to hold them to account. Here’s what’s working ⬇️

Where is the AI safety movement? For all the disruption AI is bringing, there is no movement holding it to account. Our @CathyJaneRogers discusses some key ingredients that will determine whether a movement will catch fire in @wagingnv Read & share 👇 wagingnonviolence.org/2025/06/where-…

Can disruptive protests shift political preferences? Markus Ostarek & Sam Nadel @SocChangeLab show that disruptive #ClimateProtests in Europe by organisations like #JustStopOil do measurably shift political preferences towards pro-climate parties @fp2p blogs.lse.ac.uk/activism-influ…

While previous work has highlighted risks of backfire effects in public opinion from disruptive protests, these findings suggest such tactics can also have modest but important impacts on political sentiment. Read the full report here: socialchangelab.org/protest-and-th… #activism #protest

🔍 The study utilised a Modified Unexpected Event study design, using Bayesian regressions to compare polls with protests in the last 7 days vs no protest, with week- and quarter-fixed effects to net out protest-unrelated trends over time such as seasonal swings 6/7

Can disruptive protest shift electoral preferences—nudging voters toward green parties or sparking backlash? 🤔 Our new research shows protests can influence voting intentions, boosting support for pro-environmental political parties. Details in this 🧵socialchangelab.org/protest-and-th…