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Faith as a driver of climate commitment

A new study explores how religious faith can complement climate science, providing hope, meaning, and motivation for continued action. Faith-based activists in Sweden and South Africa reveal that spirituality gives them strength and direction to commit to climate issues.

SourceUppsala University·TypeCase study·DateFeb 25, 2026

“Autoplay got me there”: How YouTube’s algorithm built a following for fascist group Patriotic Alternative

A study by City St George's criminologist Dr Tony Karas found that social media, particularly YouTube, was crucial in the radicalization process for 40 PA activists. The platform's autoplay function nudged them towards more extreme content, often with ethnonationalist views.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalStudies in Conflict and Terrorism·TypeContent analysis·DateJan 20, 2026

Socio-environmental movements: key global guardians of biodiversity amid rising violence

A new study reveals that socio-environmental mobilizations play a critical role in global biodiversity conservation by resisting environmental degradation. These local struggles often overlap with global conservation priorities, highlighting the need for policy shifts to recognize and support these movements.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeCase study·DateJan 19, 2026

Young environmental activists’ activist identities are multidimensional and partly contradictory

A new study reveals that young Finnish environmental activists construct complex and contradictory identities tied to intergenerational responsibility and global climate justice. The research identified five key activist identities: the tough activist, troublemaker, planetary citizen, compulsory activist, and non-activist.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalYouth and Globalization·DateJan 15, 2026

Black women’s beauty, fashion choices intertwined with Black history, politics

A recent study by University of Illinois researcher Brittney Miles explores how Black women use their bodies, beauty practices, and adornment to advocate for social change. The study found that Black women's fashion choices are not just about aesthetics, but also about resistance and empowerment.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalCritical Studies in Fashion and Beauty·TypeSurvey·DateJun 23, 2025

Q&A: What universities can learn about navigating ideological tension from the history of same-sex domestic partner benefits

Researchers found that public universities in conservative states adjusted their policy decisions and justification frames to reduce backlash. In contrast, institutions in more progressive states often cited social justice arguments and framed their decisions around fairness and inclusion. These findings offer valuable lessons on how o...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalOrganization Science·DateMay 28, 2025

New research illustrates the relationship between moral outrage on social media and activism

A new study found that expressions of moral outrage on social media increase post virality but don't necessarily translate to petition signing behavior. Online expressions focusing on agency, group identity, and prosociality are more likely to generate signatures.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2025

WVU research shows buyers believe karma, not boycotts should punish brands for bad behavior

Research by West Virginia University expert Kylie Vo found that consumers who believe in karma are more likely to forgive companies that behave immorally and less likely to boycott them. In contrast, non-moral transgressions like defective products or misleading claims can severely damage consumer-brand relationships and brand value.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateFeb 17, 2025

Countering the next phase of antivaccine activism

Peter Hotez proposes a focus on local data, improved benefit-risk communications, and state-level action to counter US antivaccine sentiment. Childhood vaccinations are becoming increasingly politicized, with multiple preventable illnesses emerging, including whooping cough and measles.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 8, 2025

Should doctors be suspended for unlawful climate activism?

Experts debate whether doctors should face sanctions for protesting against climate change, with some arguing that civil disobedience can lead to positive social change. Doctors like Sarah Benn have been suspended after breaching an injunction order, but others argue that the GMC's actions erode trust in the medical profession.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateOct 9, 2024

Influencers promoting sustainable lifestyles on social media should be differently regulated, study says

A new study recommends that influencers promoting sustainable lifestyles on social media be differently regulated to better protect consumers. The current EU consumer protection measures are inadequate, and the proposed changes would provide more legal certainty and facilitate additional training for content creators.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Consumer Policy·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 11, 2024

Gender inequality across US states revealed by new tool

A new tool has been developed to compare gender inequality among different US states, revealing substantial gender disparities across the country. States with higher gender inequality scores tend to have lower measures of women's wellbeing and fewer tweets about the #MeToo movement.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJul 17, 2024

Will the 2024 Olympic Games become the playing field for social justice protests?

The 2024 Olympic Games may face social justice protests due to the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) rule on neutrality. Human rights activists argue that the IOC's Rule 50 creates a systemic barrier to racial justice, despite team members participating in Racial and Social Justice initiatives.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalSport Management Review·TypeSystematic review·DateJun 5, 2024

Political elites take advantage of anti-partisan protests to disrupt politics

New research from the University of Notre Dame reveals that protest movements against political parties can inadvertently empower politicians who use them to disrupt the status quo. The study analyzed 12 case studies across Europe, Asia, and North and South America between 2008 and 2016, finding varying outcomes including factional cha...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalAmerican Journal of Sociology·TypeCase study·DateMay 24, 2024

After COP28 “insider” climate activists will become increasingly important, study suggests.

A new study suggests climate activists are increasingly adopting 'insider' activist roles, working within their own organizations to drive meaningful change. Researchers identify different types of activists, including those who seek to undermine or challenge organizations, highlighting the growing importance of collaborative and conte...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalHumanities and Social Sciences Communications·TypeObservational study·DateJan 5, 2024

Strategies of kleptocrats and their enablers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, experts warn

Experts warn of increasingly sophisticated strategies used by kleptocrats to manage illicit finances, recast public images, and undermine liberal activism. The study identifies 'transnational uncivil societies' that use wealth managers, lawyers, and other enablers to maintain power and legitimacy.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEuropean Journal of International Relations·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 15, 2023

Social media helped contribute to UPND gains in 2021 Zambia elections, analysis shows

A new analysis shows that social media facilitated information flow across a controlled media ecosystem, while face-to-face communication remained key. The study highlights how UPND's online messaging resonated with users, portraying Hakainde Hichilema as an electorally viable alternative to President Edgar Lungu.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Eastern African Studies·TypeSurvey·DateAug 7, 2023

Best path to fair living wage for global supply chain workers may take an indirect route new research suggests

A study by the University of Toronto found that intervening at the management practice level can empower workers and significantly raise wages in sustainable ways. H&M Group's initiative, which included workplace dialogue programs and wage management systems, resulted in a 5% average wage increase across 1800 factories in nine countries.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalJournal of Accounting Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2023

“Alarming” rate of girls quit sport due to clothing concerns, shows hockey star’s new study already revolutionizing rules

A recent study by England Hockey star Tess Howard found that 70% of teenage girls in the UK dropped out of sports due to body image concerns related to their clothing. The research led to the introduction of new, more inclusive uniform policies allowing athletes to choose between skirts and shorts.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalSport Education and Society·DateApr 6, 2023

Study finds political campaigns may change the choices of voters – but not their policy views

Researchers found that televised debates have little effect on voter decisions, with information from other sources such as media and activists being more influential. Voter choice consistency increased by 17 percentage points over the last two months of campaigns, affecting electoral results.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 2, 2023

How health systems can help build black wealth

According to Penn Medicine experts, health systems can utilize several strategies to help Black communities build wealth, including promoting job opportunities and investing in local economies. Wealth building has also been shown to improve health outcomes, as it affords choice and stability in housing, education, and nutrition.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 31, 2022

Study shows how Black male teacher-coaches illustrate civic-focused education

A study by University of Kansas faculty member Daniel Thomas III founds Black male teacher-coaches in predominantly white private schools employ unique civic-oriented practices to counter historical anti-Blackness. They engage students and athletes in social activism, community service, and critical civic engagement.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalTheory & Research in Social Education·TypeCase study·DateAug 25, 2022

Study proposes to involve high school students in mapping natural disaster hazards and impact prevention

A Brazilian study proposes a methodology to involve secondary school students in mapping natural disaster hazards and impact prevention. The students, aged between 2019-2021, were trained to identify areas prone to flooding and landslides using aerial photographs taken by drones.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalDisaster Prevention and Management An International Journal·DateMar 10, 2022

New power sources

In the 1990s, Massachusetts activists drafted model legislation for community choice aggregation, which has been adopted by 1,800 communities in six states. The program allows cities and towns to purchase renewable energy, reducing reliance on utility companies.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalEnergy Research & Social Science·DateFeb 23, 2022