Topic

Communications & Media

Creating change requires engaging audiences, communicating messages, and inviting people to join in action. The resources here will help you get clearer on what communication channels to use and how, how to develop compelling framing and messages, and the skills required to engage media (traditional and new forms) effectively.

Call to Action Worksheet

Use this worksheet template to determine how you will talk about your campaign to inspire and motivate people to take action.

lots of colourful empty picture frames leaning on each other

Frame the Debate: Insights from Don’t Think of an Elephant!

An introduction to the concept of framing, drawing on George Lakoff’s book Don’t Think of an Elephant! Know Your Values and Frame the Debate.

Change Makers (Text on orange background)

Climate Change – ChangeMaker Chat with Craig Reucassel

Interview with Craig Reucassel: How a career as a comedian and political satirist prepared him to talk about climate change with a diverse audience.

Workers with hard hats and fluro safety vests on top of building installing solar panels. Two workers are kneeling down on solar panels and two workers are looking at a plan.

Just get on with it: Talking about climate change and economics

This guide is designed to provide practical advice about how to effectively talk about climate change during a global pandemic and recession. It’s based on the findings of an extensive research project.

pencil drawing of a lightbulb with a question mark inside the bulb

Campaign Research 101

An introduction to the basics of campaign research for social change advocates. Campaign research helps you get the right message, in the right format, delivered by the right messengers, to the right audience through the right channels.

Why stories matter: The art and craft of social change

Marshall Ganz discusses narrative strategy, story of self & the importance of communicating values through stories in developing social movements.

How to talk about democratic reform: A cheatsheet to change the story

Learn how to talk more effectively about government, democratic participation and reform, and ways to motivate people to get involved.

Public Narrative: Online Course

Learn all about public narrative and the power of story through this series of videos from Marshall Ganz and the Resistance School.

Framing the Role of Government and the Economy

Want to know how to frame communication about the government and the economy in a way that will be of benefit? Here is useful research that was presented at the conference Virtual Progress 2020 by Australian ReMADE.

Front cover of the Press Officer Handbook (no images).

The NEON guide to progressive media work

NEON’s Press Officer Handbook, a comprehensive guide to effective media work in social movements. Includes writing press releases, using the phone, preparing spokespeople for broadcast and much more.

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Social Change Radio Directory

Community broadcasters are an important part of social movements. The Commons Social Change Radio Directory includes details of almost 100 radio shows from 5 Australian states.

Zoom Meetings Host Guide

This clear and easy guide produced by The Australian Conservation Foundation will help you set up and run an online meeting using Zoom.

Photograph of a hand holding a wooden picture frame, with a cliff, beach and sea showing in the backgroun. 'COVID-19' is written inside the frame.

Progressive Framing of the Coronavirus Pandemic

A collection of resources which include suggested progressive framing and messaging of the Coronavirus/Covid-19 global pandemic and its various impacts.

How to Frame Issues for Social Change Impact

Looking for research on how to frame an issue on a certain topic area? This collection of reports, articles, videos and podcasts on issues including climate, crime, equality, nature, poverty and health will help you develop powerful messages and narratives.