Study title

This project explored how the circulation of ideas, arguments and discourses within local civil society has contributed to the rise of populism and polarisation of politics in the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and what part civil society can play in addressing social and political polarisation. We examined the relationship between polarising viewpoints at local community and national levels and the role civil society plays at engaging communities in these issues. In-depth interviews were undertaken in the United Kingdom and in New Hampshire and Vermont in the United States of America.WISERD celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Over time it has grown into an international research institute that develops the next generation of research leaders. Our research brings together different disciplines (geographers, economists, sociologists, data scientists, political scientists) to address important issues for civil society at national and international levels. Our social science core provides a strong foundation for working with other disciplines including environmental science, engineering and medicine to transform our understanding and approaches to key areas of public concern. Our aim is to provide evidence that informs and changes policy and practice. This Centre will build on all previous WISERD research activities to undertake an ambitious new research programme. Our focus will be on the concept of civic stratification. This is a way of looking at divisions in society by focusing on the rights and obligations and practices of citizens and the role of civil society organisations in addressing inequalities in those rights and obligations. We will examine and analyse instances where people do not have the same rights as others (for example people who are migrants or refugees). We will also look at examples of people and groups working together within civil society to win new rights; this is referred to as civic expansion. Examples might...