Community action and social media - seminar

The logic for community organisations to use social media seems not to be in question, and the rhetoric is insistent. Yet social media has not been adopted as widely as might have been expected. The latest study from the Third Sector Research Centre explores the gap between claims for the transformative power of social media, and its use by grassroots community groups and organisations in England. It concludes that social media makes too many demands – in terms of skills, time, and the demonstration of impact – to make its adoption sufficiently straightforward for community organisations.

This seminar explores the findings and explanations, from this and related research, and asks, to what extent is non-use or lapsed use rational? What kinds of action might be adopted to help make social media adoption by community groups more straightforward? And how might we better understand the impact of social media on ways of community organising and action?

This practical seminar is for community activists, practitioners, researchers and social media enthusiasts, policy makers and funders. It will include a presentation from the researchers, with reflections from our discussant, followed by wider discussion and debate.

Researchers: Kevin Harris and Angus McCabe, Third Sector Research Centre

Discussant: Heather Arnatt, Voluntary Centre Services West Lindsey, Lincolnshire

This event is organised by the Third Sector Research Centre . The research was supported by Barrow Cadbury Trust.

The following papers are available from the research:

• Briefing paper (four-page summary)
• Working paper (full report)
• Detailed literature review

This event is free and refreshments will be provided. Places are limited and early booking is advised.