Movements, Activism and Academic Research: A Call to Action

While social movement research has blossomed over the past twenty years, much of it lacks the necessary aim, scope and/or language to be used as a tool for practical application by the movement actors themselves. Though many movement scholars support the efforts of the activists they study, a wide variety of factors have inhibited the potential of social movement research in addressing the direct concerns of the very actors they study. While many have tried and have successfully walked the fine line of managing productive academic careers and providing effective movement support, a large number have only been able to direct their efforts to direct social movement support periodically, often volunteering additional hours outside of their academic pursuits. The changes taking place to higher education institutions threatens to exacerbate these stressors but, as I shall argue here, a coordinated collaboration among academics within an ongoing and structured framework may be in the best position to accomplish both high quality scholarship and direct social movement support in a sustainable fashion.