Dr. Robyn Gulliver
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How do activist groups help build environmental social movements within Australia?
Maintaining a healthy biodiversity and a safe climate will require a vastly increased adoption of environmental ethics and behaviours across the majority of Australian society. However, collective change is difficult. Is the Australian environmental movement currently driving, or capable of driving, this broad-scale adoption of what will be a significant transformative economic and legislative shift?
Even though our awareness of environmental issues has increased dramatically over the last 40 years, to many it still seems like getting involved in the environmental ‘movement’ is a fringe activity. With so many groups claiming they are protecting, or conserving, or advocating for myriad causes how do you know which, if any, to give your time and energies to? This research undertakes a complete overview of the Australian environmental activism sector to see the goals and outcomes these groups are aiming for, alongside what actions they are actually asking their supporters to do. This knowledge will allow groups to work more effectively in building support for their environmental causes.
Identifying effective and efficient campaign tactics for environmental movements
Environmental campaigners, whether paid or voluntary, often devise campaigns on the basis of ‘tried and true’ formulas that attempt to achieve a multitude of outcomes within the resource, political and legal constraints they operate under. Analysis of the Australian environmental sector reveals that hundreds of groups are operating across the country, working on a highly diverse range of land, water and climate issues, frequently targeting similar demographics and potential supporters for engagement. My research considers the current state of operation of the environmental sector in Australian against the latest research around the development and strengthening of social movements. This research will identify likely successful campaign tactics that also require the least resource inputs. Providing a framework for balancing effectiveness with efficiency will help guide those engaged in building the environmental movement both through their own work and through building the environmental network with others.
Understanding the interplay between environmental activists and the wider public
Environmental behaviour is commonly researched in terms of private actions that have pro-environmental outcomes, such as increased recycling levels or reduced water consumption. Yet, across Australian society large numbers of people are engaged in both private and public sphere pro-environmental behaviours, often in order to help build the broader environmental ‘movement’. The interplay of environment group activism with public engagement is a key focus of my research, along with an exploration of the ideas and metrics used to define the success or failure of environmental campaigns.
About Robyn Gulliver
After working in roles as diverse as a cleaner, a bean packhouse manager, a secondary maths teacher, a conservation project manager, a pumpkin weeder and a senior strategic planner I have been fascinated by the way in which environmental ethics and duties are considered in each different workplace environment. After returning to university to complete a Masters of Environment and Resource Planning, I have spent the last 8 years working in the environmental field either promoting environmental care, creating and building environmental not-for-profits and social enterprises or legislating environmental protection. My research into the current state of the environmental movement in Australia complements my work as founder of a smart zero carbon company, researching how groups are building environmental awareness and action for a better environment before it’s too late.
More broadly, I have a fascination with non-academic environmental ethics, and how ethical obligations are incorporated, if at all, into organisational policies and practice. I find individuals’ and groups’ engagement and interactions with their broader environment and the frames through which they view it a constant source of hope, frustration, and fruitful research opportunities.
Get in touch
Robyn is always happy to speak about her research. Potential speaking topics include:
Articles written by Robyn for the Social Change Blog:
If you’re interested in having Robyn speak at an event or collaborating on research, please get in touch.
Maintaining a healthy biodiversity and a safe climate will require a vastly increased adoption of environmental ethics and behaviours across the majority of Australian society. However, collective change is difficult. Is the Australian environmental movement currently driving, or capable of driving, this broad-scale adoption of what will be a significant transformative economic and legislative shift?
Even though our awareness of environmental issues has increased dramatically over the last 40 years, to many it still seems like getting involved in the environmental ‘movement’ is a fringe activity. With so many groups claiming they are protecting, or conserving, or advocating for myriad causes how do you know which, if any, to give your time and energies to? This research undertakes a complete overview of the Australian environmental activism sector to see the goals and outcomes these groups are aiming for, alongside what actions they are actually asking their supporters to do. This knowledge will allow groups to work more effectively in building support for their environmental causes.
Identifying effective and efficient campaign tactics for environmental movements
Environmental campaigners, whether paid or voluntary, often devise campaigns on the basis of ‘tried and true’ formulas that attempt to achieve a multitude of outcomes within the resource, political and legal constraints they operate under. Analysis of the Australian environmental sector reveals that hundreds of groups are operating across the country, working on a highly diverse range of land, water and climate issues, frequently targeting similar demographics and potential supporters for engagement. My research considers the current state of operation of the environmental sector in Australian against the latest research around the development and strengthening of social movements. This research will identify likely successful campaign tactics that also require the least resource inputs. Providing a framework for balancing effectiveness with efficiency will help guide those engaged in building the environmental movement both through their own work and through building the environmental network with others.
Understanding the interplay between environmental activists and the wider public
Environmental behaviour is commonly researched in terms of private actions that have pro-environmental outcomes, such as increased recycling levels or reduced water consumption. Yet, across Australian society large numbers of people are engaged in both private and public sphere pro-environmental behaviours, often in order to help build the broader environmental ‘movement’. The interplay of environment group activism with public engagement is a key focus of my research, along with an exploration of the ideas and metrics used to define the success or failure of environmental campaigns.
About Robyn Gulliver
After working in roles as diverse as a cleaner, a bean packhouse manager, a secondary maths teacher, a conservation project manager, a pumpkin weeder and a senior strategic planner I have been fascinated by the way in which environmental ethics and duties are considered in each different workplace environment. After returning to university to complete a Masters of Environment and Resource Planning, I have spent the last 8 years working in the environmental field either promoting environmental care, creating and building environmental not-for-profits and social enterprises or legislating environmental protection. My research into the current state of the environmental movement in Australia complements my work as founder of a smart zero carbon company, researching how groups are building environmental awareness and action for a better environment before it’s too late.
More broadly, I have a fascination with non-academic environmental ethics, and how ethical obligations are incorporated, if at all, into organisational policies and practice. I find individuals’ and groups’ engagement and interactions with their broader environment and the frames through which they view it a constant source of hope, frustration, and fruitful research opportunities.
Get in touch
Robyn is always happy to speak about her research. Potential speaking topics include:
- Environmental group development, management, and campaigning
- Opportunities and challenges of environmentalism within local government, business, and not-for-profit contexts
- Volunteering, engagement, and motivation of groups outside the core activist group
- Activist techniques, opportunities, and engagement constraints
Articles written by Robyn for the Social Change Blog:
- Civil Resistance against Climate Change: Insights from Australia
- Individual change or systems change? The modern environmental choice
- A new system of supporting environmental advocacy is urgently needed. Does universal basic income offer a solution?
- Incorporating sustainable economic principles into environmental advocacy campaigns
- What makes a social movement
- Have tactics really only just begun?
- The activities and outcomes of environmental collective action in Australia
If you’re interested in having Robyn speak at an event or collaborating on research, please get in touch.
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