SOC ACE research on counter SOC awareness messaging published in Behavioural Public Policy and European Journal of Political Research

New journal publications based on SOC ACE research

We are thrilled to announce that our recent research has been published in two distinguished journals, shedding new light on the unintended consequences of awareness-raising strategies against SOC and anti-corruption campaigns.

Getting the Message Right: Impacts of Counter-SOC Awareness-Raising Strategies

Authors: Nic Cheeseman (University of Birmingham) and Caryn Peiffer (University of Bristol)

This study, published in Behavioural Public Policy, examines the impacts of awareness-raising strategies aimed at countering ‘social bads’ such as serious and organised crime. The research suggests that these initiatives may inadvertently backfire, by fostering pessimistic attitudes about the controllability of SOC, potentially nudging people towards populist narratives that posit political outsiders as the only viable solution to systemic problems. To delve deeper into the findings and their implications, read the full article here.

Opening the Door to Anti-System Leaders? Anti-Corruption Campaigns and the Global Rise of Populism

Authors: Nic Cheeseman (University of Birmingham) and Caryn Peiffer (University of Bristol)

In a parallel study published in the European Journal of Political Research, SOC ACE researchers explore how anti-corruption awareness messages can backfire by instilling a sense of resignation rather than resistance among the public. Corruption scandals have played a crucial role in the rise of populist leaders who promise to challenge the 'corrupt status quo'. To explore their comprehensive analysis and conclusions, read the full article here.

These publications underscore the complexities of public policy interventions and their potential to yield counterproductive outcomes. We invite you to engage with our research and consider its implications for future policy design and implementation.