Exploring doing activism as a means for political action and social transformation in Germany

Abstract

ABSTRACT Activism is what people do to bring about social transformation. Yet, there is scarce research on activism and its shaping of everyday life in occupational science. Understanding activism as a product of collective doing in specific contexts can contribute to current debates about the political nature of occupation and processes of social transformation through occupation. Therefore, the aim of this study was explore the doing of activism by people in Germany who identify as activists and the ways it influences their everyday lives. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyze data from semi-structured interviews with six individuals living in Germany who self-identify as activists. The analysis focussed on the doing, experiences, and tensions resulting from engagement in activism. The findings are presented through three themes: ‘Doing activism together’, ‘Doing activism versus personal/family obligations’, and ‘Doing activism around the clock’. Together, the findings present a more nuanced understanding of occupations oriented towards social transformation by illustrating how activism can raise awareness of important social issues but also take over participants’ everyday lives and create tensions with their family/work/study priorities and responsibilities. This study enriches current understandings of occupation for individual and society’s social transformation by illustrating how occupation can be used as political expression and action. The findings also contribute to debates about a tendency to focus on the positive nature of occupations, neglecting tensions and potential risks for participants and others.