This talk examines unconventional advocates — organisations advocating for climate policy from within groups stereotypically associated with climate opposition. These groups are of particular interest because their constituencies have the potential to block climate policy, making change within them especially consequential for climate action. Drawing on interviews with advocates from six Australian organisations, the talk explores their strategies both for building climate policy support within their own constituencies and for mobilising that support for political influence. It examines the identity resources they bring to reframing climate action, the long-term relational work they undertake, and how their insider status shapes their access to and rapport with conservative politicians.

About the speaker

Sarah Boddington has recently joined RegNet as interim HDR convenor and Braithwaite Research Fellow. She is completing her PhD through the Crawford School of Public Policy on how diverse groups experience and navigate climate mitigation. Her studies examined building support for climate policy in constituencies associated with climate opposition, group responses to electrification, and masculine groups and electric vehicles. She is an interdisciplinary researcher who is committed to impact through research partnerships and outreach. She has a Masters in Applied Anthropology and had a 15-year career in social and systems change in international development.

This seminar presentation is an in-person only event. 

Light lunch will be provided. 

If you require accessibility accommodations or a visitor Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan please email regnet.communications@anu.edu.au.

Image credit: Tero Vesalainen iStock  standard license.