The SCARF Model for Psychological Safety in Groups
Learn about the SCARF Model for Psychological Safety in Groups by David Rock. It’s a tool for diagnosing and supporting good group health.
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Looking for articles, books, case studies, tips about social change and activism? You’ve found the right place – The Commons Social Change Library.
The Good Drone: How Social Movements Democratize Surveillance
A book about how small-scale drones, satellites, kites, and balloons are used by social movements for the greater good.
Toward an Anti-Fracking Mobilization Toolkit: Ten practices from Western Newfoundland’s Campaign
Case study of anti fracking campaign in Canada. Interviews with mobilization leaders presents ten practices deemed as particularly effective.
Creative activism: Hologram protest
The practicalities and possibilities of using holograms to challenge and subvert anti-protest laws are explored in this case study from Spain.
Prisms of the People: Power and Organizing in Twenty First Century America – A Book Review
A book review of Prisms of the People: Power & Organizing in Twenty-First-Century America by Hahrie Han, Elizabeth McKenna & Michelle Oyakawa.
Prisms of the People: Power and Organizing in Twenty First Century America – Summary & Related Resources
A collation of resources about the book – Prisms of the People: Power and Organizing in Twenty First Century America – by Hahrie Han, Elizabeth McKenna and Michelle Oyakawa.
Humorous Political Stunts: Nonviolent Public Challenges to Power
An exploration of how creative activists combine humour with seriousness via stunts to create change, including case study – John Howard Ladies’ Auxiliary Fan Club.
Civil Resistance against Climate Change: What, when, who and how effective?
New research considers what Australian climate activism – specifically climate change civil resistance – looks like, how it is changing, and what it is achieving.
A Comparative Analysis of Australian Media Coverage of the 2019 Climate Protests
A report and analysis about Australian mainstream media coverage of climate protests and activists in 2019.
Organising our way out of Lockdowns
This article outlines themes from The Future of Community Organising event held in October 2021, exploring challenges as communities move out of Covid-19 lockdown.
How do we keep going? Activist burnout and personal sustainability in social movements
Activism, burn out and stress – The impacts of burnout and strategies for preventing it, on a personal, organisational and movement level.
A Strategy for Climate Insurgency
Lessons from social and labour movements that discuss how movements bringing people together for common preservation arise and can be built.
When to Talk and When to Fight: The Strategic Choice between Dialogue and Resistance
Understand when to talk and when to fight with this model for talking about conflict, negotiation and resistance.
Social Movements: Finding Your Place and Welcoming Others
How people can find a place within social movements where they comfortable, effective & supported, & how organisers can help them to feel so.
Transforming Coordination within Social Movements
Lessons from social and labour movements that discuss how movements bringing people together for common preservation arise and can be built.
United We Stand: Fostering Cohesion in Activist Groups
Learn about cohesion fostering practices and processes in this article by Liane Munro about how activist groups can be more cohesive and effective.
Identity Groups to Build Diversity and Power
This extract from the book Grassroots and Nonprofit Leadership outlines the value of identity groups, also known as caucuses and affinity spaces.
Scaling Up Movements For Greater Impact
Scaling framework tool for campaigners to evaluate existing efforts and think about new ways of broadening and deepening impact.
Community Organising Leadership in Uncertain Times
Max Smith, co-director of the Community Organising Fellowship, outlines his thoughts on the practice of leadership for community organisers, and what it’s like to practice leadership during uncertain times created by the pandemic.
Tasmanian Wilderness Society blocks dam construction (Franklin River Campaign) 1981-83
Tasmanian Wilderness Society activists blockaded the Tasmanian Franklin below Gordon Dam site, proposed by the Hydro Electric Commission.