Guest editorial

Abstract

The eight papers published in this second issue of “Protest and activism with(out) organization” explore many of themes and narratives captured in the first issue, and extend these in new and important directions. Importantly, as well as continuing to engage with the diverse types of activism and protest that seek to enable new opportunities of social and environmental justice to take root within “human society,” there are persuasive appeals for more intersectional forms of activism to take root; activism which takes seriously both non-human animals and more-than-human worlds. Elsewhere, the need for individuals to be acutely aware of the specific contemporary socio-spatial configurations of oppression and injustice (particularly at the local level) is emphasized, as is the argument that injustice can be better challenged by encouraging more bespoke forms of individual and collective forms of action into being. Indeed, the reader will also be encouraged to recognize the benefits of stepping back from “the present,” and trying to better understand the historical lessons of activism, protest and organization. While not fetishizing history/ies of activism and organization, and thereby neglecting the unique and unprecedented opportunities and challenges of the here and now, important arguments are made to demonstrate how this knowledge and awareness can be applied and adapted in useful and meaningful ways.Another central theme that runs strongly throughout the special issue is thinking carefully about “means” and “ends” of academic research in this context. How can researchers be confident that (we) are harnessing the most suitable methodology/ies and methods that will empower, engage and represent the protestors/protest movements that we desire to learn more about? Many authors are highly conscious of the complex identities, and ethical concerns, that come with the territory of the “academic-activist.”