What protests actually achieve — and what’s next: Spring newsletter

It’s been a busy few months at Social Change Lab. This edition of the newsletter brings you our latest media appearances, updates on our research into protest impact, and a sneak peek at what’s coming next — from ballot box effects to the wetlands of Sweden. Plus, find out how you can contribute to our blog.

📰 Social Change Lab in the Media

Just Stop Oil “hangs up the hi-vis” Earlier this month, Just Stop Oil announced they were “hanging up the hi-vis“ and will no longer engage in civil resistance. This sparked widespread discussion on the legacy of their often controversial, disruptive tactics. In our Big Issue op-ed, we explored how even unpopular protest actions can shift public discourse and strengthen the climate movement. We also spoke to The Guardian and Metro about the announcement.

Protest and Trump in the US As millions protest the Trump administration, we spoke to The Stranger about the lessons the movement can draw from history. We also spoke to Grist for their article on the protests, describing the importance of the “radical flank effect” — where bold protest tactics can make moderate demands appear more reasonable.

More coverage this year We’ve also appeared in:

The Observer – on what makes protest effective
Alliance Magazine – on funding barriers for campaigners
The Parliament Magazine – on anti-protest measures across Europe
Big Issue – on the future of climate activism

📊 Latest Research

🧠 Making a Scene, Making Sense In February, our report, Making a scene and making sense, showed how the most disruptive and seemingly nonsensical actions – interrupting theatre, vandalising art – typically generate the most media coverage and drive donations. We’re now collaborating with a team of academics on a follow up to this report which looks at the impact of protest logic on another important piece of the puzzle: public opinion - coming soon!

💥 Holding Fossil Fuel Companies Accountable In February we previewed upcoming research into how activists are pressuring fossil fuel companies through disruption and economic leverage (full report coming next month). This work is aimed at activists, funders and researchers, providing analyses of successful approaches based on the best available evidence from the past. Check out our strategy map below (with thanks to the brilliant 'Not that Peter Evans' for the illustration).

🔍 Coming Soon

🗳️ Protest & the Ballot Box What is the impact of disruptive protests on electoral politics? Our upcoming report (funded by Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust) analyses 900+ polls across the UK, Germany, and Sweden to understand how disruptive climate actions influence support for political parties.

🌱 Understanding the impact of the Restore Wetlands Campaign in SwedenIn 2024, the Swedish environmental group, Återställ Våtmarker (Restore Wetlands), declared “Our job with the wetlands is done", citing a government pledge to spend millions to restore degraded wetlands. In this research, we investigate the impact of the Restore Wetlands campaign, to assess their claim of success, using quantitative and qualitative data including media analysis, analysis of parliamentary mentions, public opinion polls, and interviews with key stakeholders

✍️ Want to Write for Us?

Check out our blog: socialchangelab.org/newsletter. Last month, climate activist Lizzie Rose shared thoughts on climate solutions and public opinion. Interested in contributing? Email us at info@socialchangelab.org — we have a short guide to help you get started.

All the very best and here’s to more progress in the months ahead!

Social Change Lab

P.S. check out this excellent new review paper which covers recent evidence on the impacts of climate activism, authored by Laura Thomas-Walters (who co-authored several of our reports), Eric G. Schuech, and colleagues.