Social Change Lab

Researching social movements to understand their impact. You can also find us at @socchangelab.bsky.social

[Social Change Lab @SocChangeLab]

Read the full report 'Which AI harms & risks will mobilise the public to act?' here: https://t.co/ErWs9P9CtY
#AISafety #AIPolicy #AutonomousWeapons #ClimateAction #SocialMovements

[Social Change Lab @SocChangeLab]

We tested 11 AI risk framings. Only 1 area shifted people on every measure of general concern about AI, as well as connected measures such as voting intentions: AI-enabled warfare.

As autonomous weapons are being deployed at industrial scale, the public is paying attention.

[Social Change Lab @SocChangeLab]

People were least concerned about the risk of human extinction from AI. Of all the risks we tested, it was in last place.

But reading about AI-enabled warfare substantially increased concern about extinction risk, implying talking about autonomous warfare is a promising way in.

[Social Change Lab @SocChangeLab]

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: https://t.co/w2cIly22ZP

#AISafety

[Social Change Lab @SocChangeLab]

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! https://t.co/tPIgZWWBq3

[Social Change Lab @SocChangeLab]

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"

https://t.co/V6p6c06I23

[Social Change Lab @SocChangeLab]

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:
https://t.co/0V5wyjHFbm

[Social Change Lab @SocChangeLab]

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!

https://t.co/j2swZ8tEsg

[David Coman-Hidy @davidcomanhidy]

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!

[Social Change Lab @SocChangeLab]

Our Director @SamNadel spoke to Canada's national public broadcaster, @CBCNews, about Gaza and whether protests can really make a difference: https://t.co/lSRbwGyVlB #Protest #Gaza #SocialChange

[Social Change Lab @SocChangeLab]

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 👉https://t.co/qqOhvcXSyY
#CompassionateGovernance

[Social Change Lab @SocChangeLab]

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 → https://t.co/iC7s8YIgPF

[Social Change Lab @SocChangeLab]

🚨 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 ⬇️

[Social Change Lab @SocChangeLab]

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.