How change happens Human society is full of would be ‘change agents’ a restless mix of campaigners lobbyists and officials both individuals and organizations set on transforming the world. They want to improve public services reform laws and regulations guarantee human rights get a fairer deal for those on the sharp end achieve greater recognition for any number of issues or simply be treated with respect. Striking then that not many universities have a Department of Change Studies to which social activists can turn for advice and inspiration. Instead scholarly discussions of change are fragmented with few conversations crossing disciplinary boundaries rarely making it onto the radars of those actively seeking change. This book aims to bridge the gap between academia and practice bringing together the best research from a range of academic disciplines and the evolving practical understanding of activists to explore the topic of social and political change. Drawing on many first hand examples from the global experience of Oxfam one of the world’s largest social justice NGOs as well as insights gleaned from studying and working on international development it tests ideas and offers the latest thinking on what works to achieve progressive change.