Theme 2 Project 22
| Project
title |
Social network sites and environmental activism: exploring the emergent relationship |
|
Lead
researcher |
Dr
Jim Crowther (Higher & Community
Education, School of Education) University of Edinburgh |
|
Keywords |
Social networking; activism; environmentalism |
|
Abstract |
This
pilot project aims to explore how social network sites (eg MySpace,
YouTube, Facebook etc) are being used by people interested in environmental
issues and how this may shape environmental activism. Participation
in social network sites has increased dramatically with over 78%
of the UK online population belonging to one and spending on average
5.8 hours a month using them. These sites are also used by members
and supporters of environmental organisations and may therefore have
implications for their knowledge, beliefs and identity in ways that
predispose them to further environmental activism. Activism is a
form of civil engagement which includes 'bottom up', direct action,
of one sort or another, to influence social, cultural or political
change. In the digital age the role of social network sites in fostering
or undermining a vibrant civil society needs to be examined. The
project builds on previous research which examined ICTs and environmental
action and will contribute to a larger project on 'digital divides
and social activism'.
|
|
Publications |
none
to date
|
|
Start
/end date |
March 2009 - July 2009 |
|
Funder
/amount |
Nuffield / £7465
|
|
|
