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Research Proposal

Understanding Emerging Social Movements:

A Case Study of ‘Jersey in Transition’

Author: 3521273

Supervisor: Dr Gill Seyfang

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Research Proposal

Word Count: 2,425

Project Proposal Title:

‘Understanding Emerging Social Movements: A Case Study of Jersey in Transition’

Summary

Previous research has proven market-based technological solutions, encouraging adjusted individual consumption behaviour, inefficient in achieving transition to sustainable low-carbon energy economies. As such, focus has turned to the role of localisation and resilience, to spotlight positive future scenarios and encourage actual behavioural change. The proposed research provides critical review of the role of new social movements, specifically community-led responses to peak oil and climate change, in achieving this sustainable transition. It conceptualises empirical research on the ‘Transition Towns’ movement in Jersey, Channel Islands, in the theories of new social movement, aiming to critically evaluate motivations and values behind involvement.

Word Count: 99

Introduction

The concept of ‘sustainable transition’, despite a lack in unity of definition and debate over the nature and transformation required is moving fast up the political agenda. The need for transition to low-carbon energy infrastructure, demanding a system-wide transformation of carbon-intensive lifestyles, is becoming commonplace (Seyfang, 2009). However, to date, academic research and UK governmental policy has relied on adjusted individual consumerism and the ‘greening’ of production, through market-based technological solutions, proving limited achievement in practice (Carolan, 2004, Spaargaren and Van Vliet, 2000). Jackson (2009) realises this failure and encourages radical change to halt, and in some cases even reduce, growth. Building upon this ideology, Hopkins (2008) suggests real transition to low-carbon sustainable economies can be achieved through community-led social movements constructing localisation and resilience- a concept born as the ‘Transition Movement’. Hopkins (2006) co-founded the idea of ‘Transition Towns’, piloting the project in Transition Totnes, as a community-led organic and experimental response to the issues of Climate Change and Peak Oil.

This thesis attempts to understand the role of emerging social movements in realising sustainable transition. Presenting new empirical research from a study of the ‘Jersey in Transition’ (JinT) movement, conceptualised in the new social movement (NSM) theory, the paper will conclude the position of ‘Transition Initiatives’ as powerful actors to change or merely reinvigorations of environmentalism. Drawing together theoretically-informed practical recommendations for the movement to grow and diffuse, the paper also offers deeper understanding of involvement to supplement current theoretical and academic experiences.

Justification

Peak Oil, Climate Change and Sustainable Transitions

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Peak Oil and Climate Change are fast arising in public awareness, and subsequently political agendas. The concept of peak oil, first introduced in the 1950’s by US geophysicist Hubbert, is defined as the ‘tipping point’ (Hirsch et al, 2005). Hopkins & Brangwyn (2008; p.4) further defines Peak Oil as; ‘the end of cheap and plentiful oil, the recognition that the ever increasing volumes of oil being pumped into our economies will peak and then inexorably decline.’ Alongside this, evidence for human-induced Climate Change, that is the rise in harmful levels of carbon dioxide entering the Earth’s atmosphere, is ‘unequivocal’ (IPCC, 2007).

The growth and industrialisation of modern society, driven by cheap and plentiful fossil fuels, leads to a situation where the world is 80% reliant on these resources to function (IPCC, 2007). Despite uncertainty in projections, many, including Hopkins & Brangwyn (2008), express that Peak Oil and Climate Change will lead to global recession and require radical restructuring of society and economy to low-carbon energy lifestyles. A process increasingly termed as new economics ‘Sustainable Transition’ (Seyfang, 2009).

In the UK we have witnessed numerous efforts to facilitate this change. However, top-down adjusting of individual consumerism and the ‘greening’ of production, through market-based technological solutions, have seen limited progress in practice (Carolan, 2004, Spaaragen and Van Vliet, 2000). Instead, Jackson (2009) encourages radical change to halt and in some cases even reduce growth. Building upon these ideologies, Hopkins (2008) suggests real transition to low-carbon sustainable economies can be achieved through community-led social movements constructing localisation and resilience from the grassroots- a concept born as the ‘Transition Movement’.

Considerable research has focused on the role of community-based initiatives in achieving actual behaviour change in theory, yet there has been limited research into emerging social movements, such as the Transition Movement, in achieving sustainable transitions in practice, especially the involvement, process, understanding and impact of such initiatives (Seyfang, 2009).

Transition Towns: Jersey in Transition

Hopkins (2006) co-founded the idea of ‘Transition Towns’, piloting the project in Transition Totnes, as a community-led organic and experimental response to the issues of Climate Change and Peak Oil. The new social movement aims to mobilise community action and foster public empowerment and engagement around these issues, with the objective of catalysing a transition to low-carbon economies (Seyfang, 2009).

From initial pilot, the Transition Network has grown rapidly both in the UK and internationally, and has to date been very successful at replicating its model of community-led initiatives (Hopkins, 2008). The movement reached Jersey, Channel Islands, during November 2010 after an initial film showing of ‘In Transition 1.0’ sparking interest from approximately fifty members of the public (JCAN Network, 2010).

Since then, JinT has been born, with numerous open space idea bazaars, committee meetings and broad positive publicity taking place early 2011. The initiative currently stands as a ‘mulling town’ of approximately 119 members, that is they are mulling over the idea of becoming ‘in transition’, with the hope of becoming ‘official’ by Easter 2011 (Transition Network, 2010b). Initial ideas range from a ‘Make & Mend’ localism workshop to wider influence on the planning of the new Town Park.

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However, despite phenomenal growth and the wave of positive publicity received, there has been limited empirical research into the development and character of Transition Initiatives; the impacts they have achieved and the barriers to be overcome (Seyfang, 2009). Further, the Transition Network (2011, p.1) calls for future research into initiative involvement; ‘What inspires people to be involved in transition town activities and processes? What inspires people to make a lifestyle change toward sustainability and energy descent? What are the levels of participation involvement and what makes it difficult to become involved?’ The infancy of JinT therefore provides an interesting case to study developments of an emerging social movement, its current involvement in society, and how this influence can be increased.

New Social Movement Theory

Bate et al (2005) identifies three broad groups of analysis in social movements, one of which is the theory of ‘new social movement’ (NSM). NSM theory suggests movements are created from cultural enterprise; an idea only moves a group to action if it has a ‘cultural resonance’ and it is through interactive social processes that identity and purpose develops (Bate et al, 2005, Buechler, 1995).

On a micro level the paradigm is concerned with social movement as a result of the quest for personal identity (Pichardo, 1997). The micro level Transition Movement, NSM theorists would argue, encourages involvement, and activity, through assurance of a new environmentally friendly identity (Haxeltine and Seyfang, 2010). Presently, the movement seems to appeal only to those committed green activists already environmentally aware, alienating more majority audiences. However, to reach out beyond core members, could involve dilution of the movement’s stronger more radical values to fit with current mainstream societal views, thus alienating the core greens (Seyfang et al, 2010).

Research into social movements and their ability to bring about transformative change is long established in academic literature (Bate et al, 2005) and, as Seyfang et al (2010) notes, ‘many of the core ideas of the Transition Movement have been ‘recycled’ and adapted from broader Countercultural ‘utopian’ movement which first gave rise to NSMs in the 1970s’.

NSM theory, and the concept of micro level quest for identity, therefore offers a powerful tool for identifying and conceptualising motivation for involvement in the Transition Movement; why participants are engaging with the movement and why specifically Transition initiatives, divergent from the well studied goal of induced behavioural change. There is a gap in knowledge when it comes to realising the potentials of learning from the NSM theory in understanding and influencing involvement in long-term sustainable transition practice and emergence today.

Research Gap

The above literature review provides insight into current understanding and gaps in knowledge of the research surrounding emerging social movements, especially the Transition Movement.

The importance of community-based movements in realising sustainable transition are well studied, the actual involvement, process, understanding and impacts of such initiatives in practice however, are under researched. The Transition Network notes specific knowledge gaps in the motivation and values underpinning involvement of participants in the Transition Movement and calls for future empirical research. Further, previous research focused on motivating involvement through inducing individual

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rational behaviour change, there is a research gap however, on the future lessons which may be drawn from the NSM theory, noting motivation for involvement based on culture and identity.

As such, the proposed thesis will research the motivation and values underpinning involvement specifically in the Transition Movement, conceptualised in the theories of NSM, filling the wider knowledge gap of understanding involvement in the Transition Movement in practice.

Aim & Objectives

The thesis aim is to; ‘further understand the involvement and roles of social movements in achieving sustainable transition’. Research will critically evaluate the position of emerging JinT, a case study of the ‘Transition Towns’ social movement, as a powerful actor to change or merely a reinvigoration of environmentalism?

In order to achieve the above aim, engagement and participation studies will be conducted to induce the following specific research objectives;

- Who participates in JinT?; A continuum from environmental activists to those previously unaware.

- Why do those who do participate, specifically in the Transition Movement, do so?; A continuum from a chance to just do something to wider scale influencing on society and policy.

- What does it mean to participate?; A continuum from creating a sense of self belonging and identity to full engagement.

An initial survey of members will be utilised to research the first objective, before conducting key informant interviews to draw specific conclusions on the motivations and values behind involvement, answering objectives two and three. The above research will then infer conclusions on the nature of involvement and future opportunities and constraints, for JinT, to grow and influence wider social and political arenas, in achieving sustainable transition.

Data & Methods

The Transition Network (2010a) has an established research protocol to complete before engagement with research into a specific Transition Town initiative. The protocol has been reviewed and will be completed in advance of research commencing.

Literature Review

The preliminary literature review will seek to identify current knowledge on Peak Oil, Climate Change and the need for sustainable transition, ideologies of the New Social Movement Theory, and the Transition Movement, alongside providing context for which the JinT case study is placed. Review will then critically evaluate these current understandings to draw upon knowledge gaps and act as a foundation for conceptual analysis.

To ensure literature collected is relevant and consistent, the following stipulations will be attached during primary search;

- Date: 1990-present

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- Source: UEA BroadSearch database, transitionnetwork.org- resource database (all research into the Transition Movement to date), Web of Knowledge.

After initial search, further literature was sourced from the citations and references of the identified key academic papers.

Primary Data Collection

The ‘Case Study Approach’ to social science research will be utilised to provide empirical evidence for discussion of the aim and objectives identified above.

Quantitative data collection: to address the first objective, who participates in the Transition Movement, a non-random sampled questionnaire of the movement’s membership will be conducted. McQueen & Knussen (2002) suggest this method most appropriate for interest in a particular section of society or organisation. The questionnaire will be designed as such to provide a baseline of participant values and behaviour for further discussion. This survey will be circulated, via email and post, to the JinT membership mailing list; it will also be handed out in person at a monthly JinT focus meeting to encourage response (Henn et al, 2006).

Qualitative data collection: to address the second two objectives, why participate in the Transition Movement and what does it mean to participate, requires ‘elicit authentic accounts of subjective experience’ (Miller & Glassner, 2004; 125), value and belief based dialogue evidence. As such semi-structured key informant interviews (stratified sample size approximately 10) will be used to ‘permit greater flexibility than the close ended type, permitting a more valid response from the informant’s perception of reality’ (Burns, 2000; 424). Interviews will be coded appropriately to ensure concise and consistent analysis for discussion (McQueen & Knussen, 2002). To ensure research satisfies important ethical considerations Social Research Association (2003) ‘Ethical Guidelines’ and UEA Research Ethics Policy (2006) will be adhered to. As such participation in study will be entirely voluntary, will ensure no harm to contributors, will be transparent and all participants will be offered confidentiality and anonymity. Data Analysis Survey (Quantitative) Data Analysis: Closed and open ended survey questions will be used and raw data transformed into coded numerical values. Data will be input to SPSS and used for statistical analysis of set objective 1; who participates. Interview (Qualitative) Data Analysis: If agreed with interviewee, interviews will be recorded, alternatively coherent notes will taken. Interview data will be transcripted, coded and analysed using critical social research methods (i.e. conceptualised in NSM theory) assessing objectives 2 and 3; individual values, norms and motivations behind involvement. Potential Problems and a Contingency Plan

The following problems have the potential to occur during research;

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- Time: Insufficient time management leading to problems with data preparation, collection and analysis. To overcome this, a detailed schedule (See Appendix 3) has been constructed.

- Lack of participant response: JinT formally approached prior to data collection to ensure willingness to engage (See Appendix 1 & 2). Survey/interviews designed to encourage participation (e.g. benefits explained, questions/length designed to reduce amount of time required, etc.), further, where possible survey/interviews circulated/conducted face-to-face, and by the JinT committee where possible, to encourage response. If no surveys represent ‘previously unaware’ specific participant level, key informants with the least environmental awareness will be chosen to interview.

Schedule

A detailed week-by-week schedule is presented in Appendix 3, important notes are listed below;

- Weeks 1-21; meet Dr Gill Seyfang (supervisor) at least once per month to ensure directed project development.

- Weeks 1-5; literature review, allowing sufficient time for other coursework deadlines to be completed alongside.

- Week 7; week long gap for MSc field trip. - Week 9; JinT committee to circulate surveys via email & post. - Week 11; collect completed surveys at JinT monthly meeting, take additional copies for members

to complete at the meeting. - Week 12; analyse data collected from the surveys to conclude key informants for interview.

Outcome

Peak Oil and Climate Change are forcing the need for societal transition to a low-carbon future; the research involved in this thesis hopes to contribute to scientific development and understanding of the role of social community-based initiatives in achieving this change as efficiently as possible. As such, study contributes wider benefits to society as a whole. Further, it hopes to provide theoretically-informed practical recommendations and direction for the Transition Network, and especially JinT, in its attempts to achieve community sustainable transition.

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References

Bate, P., Bevan, H., Robert, G. (2005) Towards a million change agents. A review of the social movements literature. Date Accessed: 02/02/2011. Available: http://eprints.ucl.ac.uk/1133/1/million.pdf

Bragwyn, B. and Hopkins, R. (2008) Transition Initiatives Primer: Becoming a Transition Town, City, District, Village, Community or even Island. Totnes: Transition Network. Date Accessed: 20/01/2011. Available from: http://www.transitionnetwork.org/resources/transition-primer

Buechler, S.M. (1995) New Social Movement Theories. The Sociological Quarterly. Blackwell. 36(3): 441-464

Burns, R.B. (2000) Introduction to Research Methods. Pearson Education.

Carolan, M (2004) Ecological Modernisation Theory: What about Consumption? Society and Nature Resources 17(3): 247-260

Haxeltine, A. and Seyfang, G. (2010) Transitions for the People: Theory and Practice of ‘Transition’ and ‘Resilience’ in the UK’s transition movement. Tyndall Centre Working Paper 134 (Tyndall Centre, Norwich)

Henn, M., Weinstein, M., and Foard, N. (2006) A Critical Introduction to Social Research: Second Edition. SAGE Publications Ltd. Chapter 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

Hirsch, R.L., Bezdek,R., Wendling, R., 2005. Peaking of world oil Production: Impacts, mitigation and risk management. National Energy Laboratory, US Department of Energy. Date Accessed: 18/01/2011. Available from: http://www.netl.doe.gov/index.html Hopkins, R. (2006) Energy Descent Pathways: Evaluation potential responses to Peak Oil. Dissertation (MSc).University of Plymouth. Hopkins, R. (2008) The Transition Handbook: From oil dependency to local resilience. Totnes: Green books.

International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2007) Climate Change 2007 Synthesis Report: Summary for Policymakers. Geneva: International Panel on Climate Change. Jackson, T. (2009) Prosperity without growth: the transition to a sustainable economy. Sustainable Development Commission, Earthscan, London.

Jersey Climate Action Network, JCAN (2010) Recent News: Jersey in Transition. Date Accessed: 11/12/2010. Available: http://www.j-can.org.je/

McQueen, R.A. and C. Knussen (2002) Research Methods for Social Science: An Introduction. Pearson Education Limited, Essex; Chapter 1, 2, 3, 6, 7.

Miller, J. and Glassner, B. (2004) Chapter 7: The ‘inside’ and the ‘outside’: Finding Realities in Interviews. In Silverman, D. ed. Qualitative Research: Theory, Methods and Practice. SAGE Publications Ltd.

Pichardo, N.A. (1997) New Social Movements: A Critical Review. Annual Review of Sociology. 23:411-430.

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Seyfang, G. (2009) Green shoots of sustainability: The 2009 UK Transition Movement Survey. University of East Anglia.

Seyfang, G., Haxeltine, A., Hargreaves, T., Longhurst, N. (2010) Energy and Communities in Transition- towards a new research agenda on agency and civil society in sustainability transitions. CSERGE Working Paper EDM 10-13

Spaargaren, G. & Van Vliet, B. (2000) Lifestyles, consumption and the environment: The Ecological Modernisation of Domestic Consumption. Environmental Politics 9(1): 50-76.

Social Research Association (2003) Ethical Guidelines. Date Accessed: 06/01/2011. Available:http://www.the-sra.org.uk/documents/pdfs/ethics03.pdf

Transition Network (2010a) Transition Network Research Protocol. Totnes: Transition Network. Date Accessed: 11/02/2011. Available: http://www.transitionnetwork.org/support/researchers

Transition Network (2010b) Transition Network Initiatives: Jersey Transition. Totnes: Transition Network. Date Accessed: 18/12/2010. Available: http://www.transitionnetwork.org/initiatives/jersey-transition

Transition Network (2011) Transition Network Research Gap Review. Totnes: Transition Network. Date Accessed: 10/01/2011. Available: http://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/?q=central/research

University of East Anglia (2006) Research Ethics Policy, Principles and Procedure. Date Accessed: 23/01/2011. Available:https://intranet.uea.ac.uk/polopoly_fs/1.29004!research-ethics-policy-final-21june2006.pdf

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APPENDIX 1

Email correspondence with JinT Committee members:

25/01/2011 Nigel Jones To Katie Mason, Binney, Francis, Mark Forskitt, Maria Barnicoat Hi Katie, Feel free to contact me at any time. When you're in the island, it will be great to meet up with you. You are of course welcome to any of the group and committee meetings when you can make it. What you're doing sounds really exciting. Good luck with it. Best wishes Nigel 07797 741117 On Tue, 25/01/2011 at 09:34, Binney, Francis wrote: Hi Katie, Glad to hear you have got the Go Ahead for this. At present Nigel is definitely the one to direct your questions to as he is co-ordinating everything - although as things develop you will need to be in contact with more of the individual groups as well. I take it you are monitoring the facebook group? Francis.

Francis Binney | Environmental Officer, Facilities | RBC Wealth Management | T. 01534 602450 IWMNet Environment site Please only print this email if entirely necessary

From:Katie Mason [mailto:kt_mason@hotmail.com] Sent: 24 January 2011 23:24 To: Binney, Francis Subject: MSc Dissertation Hi Francis,

Hope my email finds you well, I was pleased to see the first open space JinT meeting went so well in January. Just a quick update on the dissertation front…

I am definitely going to go ahead with a thesis focusing on;

‘Understanding Emerging Social Movements: A Case Study of ‘Jersey in Transition’

As discussed.

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I will first conduct a literature review on the Transition Movement and the New Social Movement Theory, including some background information on JinT.

I hope then to conduct an initial survey of members, before collecting data from approximately 10 semi-structured key informant interviews. The main aim is to understand the motivations behind engagement and participation from members in JinT. I can then bring these results together, alongside theory, to form basis for a solid discussion on the role of emerging social movements in achieving sustainable transition.

I will provide a short summary (2-3pages) of the thesis results, along with specific recommendations for JinT to grow and diffuse beyond the niche, after study is complete. I hope that my dissertation can then also be of use to JinT in the future.

Please let me know if there is any way I can improve my topic to ensure it is useful to the JinT network.

I haven't got Nigel's email address- would you mind relaying the above to him, Mark and Maria etc.? Thank you so much for all your help so far.

Best Wishes,

Katie Mason

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APPENDIX 2

Formal field work approval letter from project supervisor, Dr Gill Seyfang, to be circulated to JinT