Led by the School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences, this international seminar series features speakers from the University of Newcastle alongside some of the biggest international scholars in sociology, digital humanities, communications, media studies, and education, responding to key social issues of our time: automation, democracy, wellness and conspiracies, material inequalities, and science and nature, and youth digital identities. The series is designed to showcase the importance of social science research in leading responses to these issues.
In recent decades, young people have been increasingly active in leading climate activism and advocacy, despite experiencing persistent political marginalisation. Since 2018 their leadership of networks, organisations and actions have significantly reshaped the democratic landscape. While in previous years the movement has been highly visible - online and offline - more recently questions have been raised about the status of the movement and whether young people still care about climate change enough to organise and call for more urgent action.
This panel shares some of the findings of the New Possibilities project - supported by the ARC and bringing together researchers and young people working on youth climate advocacy and activism in Australia.
This panel shares some of the findings of the New Possibilities project - supported by the ARC and bringing together researchers and young people working on youth climate advocacy and activism in Australia. The panel will include:
An overview of the project context, aims and high level findings on who is involved, what they are doing and how it is shaping the political landscape (Pip Collin)
Findings on how young people's climate concerns are communicated, received and responded to: and how these can inform intergenerational learning and policy making in a time of climate crisis. This paper will focus on forms of listening and responding to youth climate advocacy and activism (Luigi Di Martino)
Findings on how young people's climate advocacy has challenged the structural drivers of climate change and its disproportionate effects on young people. This paper will discuss two key phenomenon shaping and being shaped by contemporary youth climate advocacy and activism:
the criminalisation of protest (Rob Watts)
tactical actions to reshape the law (Judith Bessant)
A response by climate advocate and project Research Associate Varsha Yajman who will reflect on the value of this research and discuss where youth climate activism is at now, where it is going and what we need know/do as scholars to be great allies.
Professor Philippa Collin is co-founder and co-Director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University. She researches the role of the digital in the social, cultural and political lives of young people, with a focus on the implications for health and wellbeing. Her work is also concerned with new forms of political participation, identity and governance as they relate to the dynamics of elitism and exclusion.
Judith Bessant is Professor of Global, Urban and Social Studies at RMIT University, Melbourne. She researches and writes in the fields of politics, youth studies, policy, sociology, media-technology studies and history especially on questions about justice, age, youth studies, economics, politics and history.
Luigi Di Martino is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow on the project based at the Young and Resilient Research Centre. Luigi's research explores the opportunities and challenges of digital communication technologies in Public Communication. He is interested in the use of social media in public and political communication and everyday life, with a particular focus on the ethical implications of organisational listening and monitoring activities through digital technologies and AI.
Professor Rob Watts, FASSA, is Professor of Social Policy at RMIT University. He teaches policy studies, politics, the history of ideas, and applied human rights. An internationally recognised sociologist of youth, political dissent and policy, he has produced a distinguished body of high-quality scholarship and research since the 1980s.
Varsha Yajman is an associate researcher at the Young and Resilient Research Centre. She is also an advocate discussing the intersection between climate change, mental health and race.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.
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