Trustee Opportunities + Summer Research Highlights: Social Change Lab Newsletter

Its been a busy Summer here at Social Change Lab. This edition of the newsletter includes details about our new AI safety movement report, results from research into Sweden's wetland restoration campaign, and we're also seeking new trustees to join our board. 

Become our new trustee!

We're seeking new trustees to join our board and help guide Social Change Lab's work. This is an opportunity to shape our research agenda and strategic direction.

Find our more about the role and apply here. While we've outlined our desired skills and experience, don't worry if you feel you don't meet all of the criteria. We're interested in candidates with a range of professional backgrounds and levels of experience. Your commitment to our mission matters most. Deadline for applications is Monday, 15 September.

Catch up on our new research

AI safety movement analysis

Our report "AI is on the march. Is the AI safety movement ready?" (7 August) maps the emerging AI safety movement. The research identifies gaps in grassroots mobilisation and public engagement that need addressing as AI development continues. 

New academic paper: tracking protest effects over time

Our paper in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications examines how public responses to disruptive protests change over time. We found that initially negative effects typically dissipate after six months. Read the full paper here (Open Access). 

Sweden's Restore Wetlands Campaign

Our July report analysed the impact of the Restore Wetlands (Återställ Våtmarker) campaign — a campaign that used highway blockades and public event disruptions to raise awareness about wetland restoration. Read the full report here. 

Following the campaign, public awareness increased significantly, media coverage expanded, and the issue gained rhetorical and budgetary priority. The report's release coincided with the Swedish Supreme Court acquitting protesters of sabotage charges. Swedish media covered the report widely: it was featured in in 17 outlets in total, including all major Swedish national newspapers. 

Social Change Lab in the media

Big Issue opinion piece

Our Senior Researcher Cathy and Consultant Director of Research Markus published an opinion piece examining how activists are responding to protest criminalisation and why these measures are unlikely to deter committed campaigners.

BBC Radio 5 Live Panel

On Tuesday, 12 August, our Director Sam Nadel joined a panel discussion with Naga Munchetty about protest as an outlet for social anger. We discussed our research on protest impact and the criminalisation of protest movements.

Thanks for reading and for your ongoing support for our work. We'll be in touch again soon with more info on some exciting new research coming up in the Autumn. All the very best, The Social Change Lab Team

Photo in header 'Crowd of Protesters Holding Signs and Kneeling' by Life Matters. Available on Pexels