Articles tagged with Social Movements
A study on the 2019 global climate strikes found that online conflict enables millions of strangers to discover they are telling the same story and act together. The researchers identified three phases: exposure, entanglement, and coalescence, where distinct causes fuse into a single global movement.
A systematic review reveals that social media has only partially fulfilled its promise to democratize climate change communication. Established actors continue to shape the discussion, while climate-change skeptics gain visibility. This undermines public debate on climate change.
A study by Nooshin L. Warren found that small changes in sexual misconduct and gender portrayals can affect box office revenue, with adjustments adding or subtracting $8-13 million. Meanwhile, public expectations of gender roles seemed to regress after #MeToo, indicating a slower adoption of new norms.
The HIV/AIDS response program in Brazil has lost momentum as the social movement becomes depoliticized, with activists focusing on basic issues like access to food and housing. The study suggests that technological advances and medicalization of policies have contributed to this trend.
The brief connects 16 movements, from the Institute for Colored Youth to today's Student Action on Curricular Restrictions, and pairs each with evidence-grounded policy recommendations. Key patterns across generations of youth organizing include mass mobilization, coalition-building, and legal pressure.
Research by Lancaster University and the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur found that vulnerable families coped with food insecurity by limiting food diversity, taking loans, and temporarily withdrawing children from school. The study highlights the importance of local social networks and government support in mitigating crisis.
A new reference essay examines Japanese migration to Canada from 1877 to 1988, highlighting the development of vibrant communities and women's roles in shaping immigrant life. The article also explores the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Canadians during WWII and their ongoing struggle for justice.
Research shows that targeted interventions highlighting personal impact on others can alter behavior among partisans. Both Republican and Democratic voters reduced risk-taking when presented with a simple message asking to choose the safer option for themselves and others.
Research from the University of Bath's Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations reveals that hairdressers can prompt climate conversations and inspire change. Salon owners reported successful conversations with clients about sustainability, leading to changes in habits such as water and energy usage, and even dietary choices.
A growing trend in Holocaust commemoration worldwide is the establishment of museums and exhibitions honoring the Righteous Among the Nations, heroes who risked their lives to save Jews from extermination. These initiatives aim to preserve Jewish heritage, commemorate the memory of the Holocaust, and combat racism and antisemitism.
A Stanford University study found that showcasing past collective efforts on climate change can motivate individuals to take action. The most effective interventions combined evidence of impact with social and emotional benefits, increasing willingness to take public awareness actions by 30% and political actions by nearly 14%.
The Käte Hamburger International Centre will study messianic figures and discourses throughout history, aiming to understand their impact on democracies and promote critical awareness. The centre plans initiatives in schools and educational settings to educate students about recognising messianic phenomena.
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.
Next Steps: Rebuilding Indigenous Law is a new research initiative that empowers Indigenous communities to renew and rebuild their own legal systems. The project, supported by a $10 million investment, aims to rebuild entire Indigenous legal orders and revitalize traditional legal traditions.
Researchers analyzed Facebook posts from populist parties in 13 European countries and found they often use controversial issues and anti-liberal language. These tactics are used to steer public discussion away from problem-solving and instead create division in society.
A University of Bath study found that starting university leads to increased recycling and green travel habits. Values and supportive infrastructure play key roles in driving these changes.
A study published in PLOS One found that US regional differences in traditional and existential wellness are linked to early colonization settlement patterns. Northeastern and Midwestern regions tend to have higher traditional wellness, while Southern residents exhibit higher existential wellness. These findings suggest that systemic d...
A new study published in the American Sociological Review finds that framing modern social issues as attacks on civil rights decreases public support for government action. The researchers surveyed 7,500 California voters and found that civil rights framing was counterproductive across issues and beneficiaries, including Black people.
Researchers examine how modern environmental movement prioritizes property and community norms over societal concerns. A University of Illinois professor analyzed the Santa Barbara oil spill to understand this phenomenon, finding that 'ownership environmentalism' restricts environmental justice and equity.
A new study challenges long-held beliefs about how to win public backing for social change. Researchers found that Americans generally support the idea of civil rights in abstract terms but are less likely to support government action when contemporary issues are framed as civil rights problems.
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...
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.
Recent research highlights increased fire activity in the western US, with wildfires becoming less prone to calming down at night. Meanwhile, extreme turbulence on hurricane flights has led to a new 'bumpiness' metric. Climate extremes are also evident in shifting energy demands for heating and cooling in Chinese megacities.
A large-scale field experiment found that sharing compelling personal narratives significantly shifted participants' views on immigration, regardless of active listening. High-quality listening improved perceptions of the speaker but did not enhance the persuasive effect of the narrative.
A new book by Lancaster University historian James Taylor highlights the lives of pioneering female stockbrokers who challenged societal beliefs about women and money. The study reveals how these women fought against exclusion and ultimately won the right to join the London Stock Exchange in 1973.
A new megastudy tested 25 treatments to reduce partisan animosity and antidemocratic attitudes. The research found that 23 of the 25 efforts led to statistically significant reductions in partisan animosity. While the effects were not huge, they suggest it is possible to mitigate some of these issues.
Research reveals UK households are 'wishcycling' instead of recycling due to confusing product labels and differing recycling facilities. The study recommends standardization of bin collection services and uniform labelling to make recycling more effective for consumers.
The book uses a 'history from below' approach to center the voices of petitioners, revealing how they framed their demands using language like justice, rights, and equity. Through over 4,000 petitions, Dr. Bright Alozie shows the significance of this genre in shaping colonial society and influencing decision-making.
A new study reveals gentrification's complex impact on residential communities in Seoul, Korea, finding that state-led urban change can lead to emotional displacement of residents. Meanwhile, property-led redevelopment has resulted in direct displacement and replacement of industrial clusters with high-rise residential construction.
Researchers argue that stigma can play a huge role in health outcomes, leading to disengagement from care, coerced sterilization, and lack of informed choices. Addressing stigma through evidence-based approaches, such as staff training and relationship building, can improve healthcare services.
A new INSEAD study finds that the #MeToo movement led to a significant decrease in demand for high-heeled shoes and stockouts of stereotypically feminine products. The researchers surveyed over 1,000 women in the US and found a rebellion against traditional gender stereotypes drove this shift.
A new study by economists at the University of Zurich finds that engaging in public discourse increases socially responsible market behavior regardless of participants' social norms and values. The researchers conducted three lab experiments with over 2,500 participants and observed a significant increase in trade with fair products wh...
A study by Virginia Tech undergraduate Megan O'Hara found that surface properties significantly influence bacterial twitching motility, allowing for rapid colonization and infection. By manipulating surface properties with detergents like bile salts, researchers can alter the functionality of type IV pili, a critical virulence factor.
A new study by Lancaster University highlights that women are more likely than men to experience 'digital overload' and burnout due to their greater use of digital technologies in both work and family lives. The research emphasizes the need for gender-egalitarian work-from-home arrangements and policies to address this issue.
Researchers at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) have developed an innovative robotic rehabilitation system called SPINDLE to enhance the strength and dexterity of individuals with tremors. The study revealed significant benefits, including improved motor control, coordination, and neuroplasticity.
A recent survey study of 12,000 participants found that firearm owners were only moderately more supportive of political violence than nonowners. Firearm owners who always carried firearms in public were more likely to support and engage in political violence, highlighting the need for risk-based prevention efforts.
A study found Europeans are more willing to assist Ukrainian asylum seekers than Syrians or Somalis, largely because of the perceived lower threat level associated with Ukrainians. The research suggests that emotional factors and prejudice play a significant role in shaping attitudes towards helping refugees.
Mothers with a criminal record and care experience face negative judgements and excessive scrutiny due to their 'known' status. The study emphasizes the need for supportive dialogue across disciplinary boundaries to break cycles of stigma and social care involvement, focusing on safe spaces and trust-building for care-experienced mothers.
A recent study found that conservatives are not easily persuaded by traditional pro-environmental messages, even when framed in terms of their own moral values. Instead, messages emphasizing loyalty, authority, or purity were equally effective in promoting pro-environmental behavior among conservatives.
A systematic review of 156 trials found that physical exercise improved motor symptoms and quality of life in people with Parkinson's Disease. Most types of structured exercise, including dance, water-based exercise, and endurance training, showed clinically meaningful benefits.
Researchers analyzed 304,242 #StopAsianHate tweets to understand the role of reflection in social justice activism. The study found that reflection is an essential element, informing both individual involvement and overall movement progress.
A new study finds that women and young people are more influential than older men in influencing others to implement sustainable practices. Women's recommendations often led to real action, despite being less likely to be identified as opinion leaders.
Research found combining Kegel exercises before resistance training improves pelvic floor strength and reduces urinary leakage. Over 8% of incontinent women no longer experienced urinary leakage after performing resistance training.
A recent study suggests that taking pride in one's identity can help protect mental health from online hate, with Asian Americans showing increased resilience. The research found that those who affirmed their identities were more likely to experience better psychological and physical health, as well as stronger personal relationships.
A majority of early career scientists from underrepresented backgrounds experience psychological distress due to social unrest caused by systemic racism. However, the study found that mentoring relationships have a positive impact on their well-being.
A recent study by Leiden University researchers explores the cultural significance of Black Pete in the Netherlands. The findings indicate that acceptance of minority groups' unequal treatment is linked to resistance against changing Black Pete's appearance, highlighting a complex social hierarchy.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute have discovered a specialized neural circuit in zebrafish that enables recognition of conspecifics. This pathway, which runs from the retina to the thalamus, triggers shoaling behavior and regulates social approach and affiliation.
A study analyzing U.K. residents' activities during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic found significant shifts in time spent on cultural activities, socializing, and traveling. Despite restrictions being lifted, many respondents continued to engage in online activities, highlighting the lasting impact of the pandemic on lifestyle changes.
Researchers at UNIGE develop new method using eye-tracking to evaluate social-emotional and perceptive abilities in children and adolescents with severe multiple disabilities. This approach enables assessment of individual skills and preferences, allowing for personalized stimulation and care devices.
A recent study by University of Waterloo researchers reveals that Vancouver's commitment to livability does not address its long-standing inequalities. The gentrification of historically working-class and low-income neighborhoods, such as Northeast False Creek and Downtown Eastside, is a major concern.
A recent study by the University of Rochester found that mobility patterns can be predicted with surprising accuracy based on data collected from acquaintances, even if individual users turn off their own location tracking. The researchers discovered that up to 95% of an individual's movement pattern can be inferred from people they ar...
A new analysis examines how Chile's feminist movement evolved in response to the country's enduring inequality, particularly gender inequality. The study highlights the movement's impact on mass protests and the writing of a new constitution, with key findings including increased feminist participation and intersectional perspectives.
Researchers explore the intersection of technology, social sciences, and narratives to combat disinformation. Experts discuss how technical solutions can be coupled with social interventions to effectively address the issue.
The article examines modern migration in the Mediterranean by analyzing abandoned fishing boats and their contents, revealing the impact of policy decisions on displacement. The study provides a nuanced narrative of human experiences during these journeys, highlighting inequalities and varying degrees of preparation among those onboard.
A study of over 281,000 tweets from top US hospitals found limited support for the Black community and social justice topics on their social media channels. The researchers found that only a few tweets related to Black Lives Matter predated the killing of George Floyd.
A new study explored how prosecutors think about race in criminal justice, finding that a color-blind approach can entrench racial disparities. The study suggests that changing prosecutor views on race and core beliefs is necessary to achieve justice.
A Dartmouth study found that individuals who experienced higher levels of stress on a given day had lower social interaction the following day. The research used mobile phone sensing data from 99 undergraduate students and showed that stress predicted less social interaction, but not the other way around.
A new study reveals that male giraffes have higher social connectedness than females, with males forming more acquaintances and older males having shorter social paths. This complexity could impact conservation efforts for endangered giraffes.
New research from UMass Amherst found that enrolling academically struggling 9th graders in an ethnic studies course significantly increases their chances of graduating from high school and enrolling in college. The study, which analyzed nearly 1,400 students, also showed improvements in attendance and engagement.
A new study found that the public generally opposes repressive policing of protesters, but certain tactics by protesters increase fear and support for police repression. The goals of protests also impact support for police repression, with racially resentful individuals more supportive of repression.