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The UEA Democracy & Activism research cluster focuses on the theory and practice of democracy around the world, and seeks a better understanding of how people might come together to effect socio-political change.
There are global concerns of ‘democratic backsliding’. A Summit for Democracy has been launched by world leaders, calling the defence of democracy “the defining challenge of our time”. International efforts are also being made to deliver Sustainable Development Goals to empower citizens – in which democracy plays a central role.
The cluster therefore produces theoretical and policy relevant research on the questions:
What is democracy?
What are the contemporary threats and challenges to democracy?
How can democracy be strengthened and renewed? For example, how might a more active, effective and participative polity be created and maintained? What is and should be the relationship between protest, activism and democratic politics?
The group takes a broad, open and inter-disciplinary approach to the study of democracy, protest and activism. The focus is global.
It includes, but is not limited to, scholars working on:
Political theory
Political science
Political communication and media
Public administration
Law
Development studies
Social movement studies
Area studies
History
Example projects include:
Political protest and policing
Electoral Integrity Project
Lawfare: Politics, Democracy, and Activism before the US Supreme Court
Political speech and rhetorical analysis
Media influence on policy
AI, democracy and policy making
Mobilisation and organisation of & by social movements
Historical situating of socio-political struggles and resistance
Members of the cluster have long and wide experience of working with policy-makers, civil society and practitioners, and of producing research designed to inform public policy and debate:
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Contacts