Recently published and forthcoming books
My recent book focuses on the interrelatedness of social movements and elections and develops the theoretical dimension of movement-voter interaction. It posits that social movements engage in communicative tactics during elections to highlight specific issues and to convey ideas, values and beliefs to the voter.
Applying methodological tools from political discourse analysis, I consider the breadth of on- and offline tactics employed by the UK movement groups The People's Assembly Against Austerity and Extinction Rebellion in the 2015, 2017 and 2019 general elections. My research reveals that both groups actively engaged in movement-voter interaction that sought to shine a light on the issues of austerity and the environment while placing democratic pressure on a future government.
Qualitative
content analysis of concomitant media coverage and manifesto pledges reveals
the extent to which various messages rooted in movement-voter interaction were
amplified or challenged by these electoral actors. Finally, I argue the
case for social movement-voter interaction as a key aspect of social movement
and political communication research.
In November 2021, I launched my book at the fifth Political Studies Association Media and Politics Group (@PSAMPG) seminar series. A recording of the event is available on the PSAMPG YouTube channel.
A short piece about my research for @LSEpoliticsblog is now live. It discusses how the tactics of anti-austerity and environmental campaigners render movement-voter interaction a key aspect of electoral communication.