Ambivalent Activism
Working with Contradiction, Hesitation and Doubt for Social Change
Bristol University Press
1st Edition
Published on 18. September 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
214 pages
978-1-5292-3973-7 (ISBN)
Description
What if doubt, hesitation and ambivalence weren't barriers to activism but powerful tools for change?
Challenging the idea that activism is fuelled only by anger or hope, this bold collection explores how activists across anti-racism, climate justice and mental health navigate uncertainty to sustain their work. Blending scholarship with on-the-ground perspectives, this book highlights ambivalence not as a weakness but as a dynamic force.
This is essential reading for anyone engaged in activism or emotional research, redefining what it means to feel and act for justice in a complex world.
Challenging the idea that activism is fuelled only by anger or hope, this bold collection explores how activists across anti-racism, climate justice and mental health navigate uncertainty to sustain their work. Blending scholarship with on-the-ground perspectives, this book highlights ambivalence not as a weakness but as a dynamic force.
This is essential reading for anyone engaged in activism or emotional research, redefining what it means to feel and act for justice in a complex world.
Reviews / Votes
'Ambivalence is pervasive in activism but has far too long been neglected by scholars. This important and original collection explores the potential of ambivalence in a wide range of contexts' Silke Roth, University of SouthamptonMore details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
Not illustrated
Dimensions
Height: 232 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
308 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5292-3973-7 (9781529239737)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Ambivalent Activism
Working with Contradiction, Hesitation and Doubt for Social Change
Book
09/2025
1st Edition
Bristol University Press
€129.50
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Ambivalent Activism
Working with Contradiction, Hesitation and Doubt for Social Change
E-Book
09/2025
1st Edition
Bristol University Press
€37.99
Available for download
Persons
Akwugo Emejulu is Chair of Sociological Studies at the University of Sheffield.
Marlies Kustatscher is Senior Lecturer in Childhood Studies at Moray House School of Education and Sport at the University of Edinburgh.
Callum McGregor is Senior Lecturer in Education at Moray House School of Education and Sport at the University of Edinburgh.
Marlies Kustatscher is Senior Lecturer in Childhood Studies at Moray House School of Education and Sport at the University of Edinburgh.
Callum McGregor is Senior Lecturer in Education at Moray House School of Education and Sport at the University of Edinburgh.
Content
Introduction: Working with Contradiction, Hesitation and Doubt - Akwugo Emejulu, Marlies Kustatscher and Callum McGregor
Part 1: Theorizing Ambivalence
1. Ambivalence as Misfeeling, Ambivalence as Refusal - Akwugo Emejulu
2. On (Not) Knowing What Is to Be Done (in 17 Affective Registers) - Deborah Gould
3. Facing Defeat: Rosa Luxemburg in Dialogue with Prefigurative Politics - Masa Mrovlje
4. Orchestrating the Furies: Anzaldua's Evolving Conception of Ambivalent Political Struggle - Alyson Cole
Part 2: Activism as Ambivalent Praxis
5. An Activism of the In-Between - Melody Howse
6. Resisting with People I Don't Like: Exploring the Internal Tensions Among Queer Activists in Lagos, Nigeria - Adebayo Quadry-Adekanbi
7. Ambivalent Activism: Re-Contextualizing Mental Health Politics - Hel Spandler, Dina Poursanidou and Sonia Soans
8. Ambivalence and Veganism: Rethinking Sentiment in Moral Choices - Jordan McKenzie and Zoei Sutton
9. The Embroidery Collective: Embroidering and Reimagining Community in Times of Struggle - Cristina Florescu
10. Ambivalent Emotions Empowering Activism: Learning from Youth Activists in Aotearoa - Carisa R. Showden and Karen Nairn
Part 3: Activism and the Ambivalent Academy
11. Working with Discomfort: Contesting Ambivalence Through Care and Accountability in the University of Edinburgh's 'Skull Room' - Nicole Anderson
12. The Poetry of Ambivalence: A Nudge toward Tending - Roxani Krystalli
13. The Role of 'Stuckedness': Ambivalence in Scholar-Activism - Aylwyn Walsh and Paul Routledge
Conclusion: Thinking with Pessimism - Akwugo Emejulu, Marlies Kustatscher and Callum McGregor
Part 1: Theorizing Ambivalence
1. Ambivalence as Misfeeling, Ambivalence as Refusal - Akwugo Emejulu
2. On (Not) Knowing What Is to Be Done (in 17 Affective Registers) - Deborah Gould
3. Facing Defeat: Rosa Luxemburg in Dialogue with Prefigurative Politics - Masa Mrovlje
4. Orchestrating the Furies: Anzaldua's Evolving Conception of Ambivalent Political Struggle - Alyson Cole
Part 2: Activism as Ambivalent Praxis
5. An Activism of the In-Between - Melody Howse
6. Resisting with People I Don't Like: Exploring the Internal Tensions Among Queer Activists in Lagos, Nigeria - Adebayo Quadry-Adekanbi
7. Ambivalent Activism: Re-Contextualizing Mental Health Politics - Hel Spandler, Dina Poursanidou and Sonia Soans
8. Ambivalence and Veganism: Rethinking Sentiment in Moral Choices - Jordan McKenzie and Zoei Sutton
9. The Embroidery Collective: Embroidering and Reimagining Community in Times of Struggle - Cristina Florescu
10. Ambivalent Emotions Empowering Activism: Learning from Youth Activists in Aotearoa - Carisa R. Showden and Karen Nairn
Part 3: Activism and the Ambivalent Academy
11. Working with Discomfort: Contesting Ambivalence Through Care and Accountability in the University of Edinburgh's 'Skull Room' - Nicole Anderson
12. The Poetry of Ambivalence: A Nudge toward Tending - Roxani Krystalli
13. The Role of 'Stuckedness': Ambivalence in Scholar-Activism - Aylwyn Walsh and Paul Routledge
Conclusion: Thinking with Pessimism - Akwugo Emejulu, Marlies Kustatscher and Callum McGregor