S6 Ep2 Bridging research and practice to save democracy: how academics can show up

Welcome to the People vs Inequality Podcast! In this season we dive into the question of how academics and practitioners can better collaborate at this time of great need. As more and more countries are facing democratic backlash, both civil society and academia are under attack. They are also in a unique position to defend civic space and human rights – especially if they find ways to come together. What can we learn from those working across these spaces on doing this well? How can academics show up for social movements and democracy alike?In this second episode we have another great example of someone who is very effective in bringing together knowledge and practice, and with a sharp eye for power. Harriet Bergman is a philosopher, writer and researcher based in the Netherlands with a long history in social movements and therefore a unique position to bridge these worlds. What does climate obstruction have to do with democracy and what can academia learn from activists? This and more in today’s episode, after which we will also invite you to share thoughts and experiences.So please grab a coffee or tea and listen in on the conversation!Resources:- Bergman’s reflection “Earth System Breakdown Does not Care about Tenure Track” https://krisis.eu/article/view/40990/37852-  About the ‘climate and emotions project’ of Stroomversnellers:https://www.stroomversnellers.org/nl/under-the-weather-reports-and-reflections-on-the-climate-and-emotions-project/ - (In Dutch): on anger, climate breakdown and whiteness:https://www.wetenschappelijkbureaugroenlinks.nl/tijdschrift/winter-2024/lauwwarm-witheet and about Climate Obstruction NL https://www.trouw.nl/duurzaamheid-economie/waarom-wordt-de-wereld-maar-niet-duurzamer-en-eerlijker-machtige-partijen-houden-een-omslag-tegen~b6c859bb/About this podcast: In a time of crisis and fast change, the People vs Inequality podcast is a space to reflect and learn with changemakers on how to tackle inequality. The show is a co-production between Barbara van Paassen (host, creator) and Elizabeth Maina (producer), and edited by Charles Rigga. This series was funded by the Atlantic Fellowship for Social and Economic Equity Programme at the London School of Economics as part of an academic-practitioner collaboration project. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity programme, the International Inequalities Institute, or the London School of Economics and Political Science. More about the podcast: https://peoplevsinequality.blogspot.com/More about the AcPrac project: https://afsee.atlanticfellows.org/academic-practitioner-collaborations