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Psychologists for Social Change
(2022).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-71190-0_3
Abstract
Psychologists for Social Change (P.S.C.) is a national activist network which operates as a collection of connected but autonomous groups across the UK, Channel Islands and Ireland. We are a coalition of people from all areas and stages of psychology theory and practice, encompassing senior chartered psychologists, academics, trainees, therapists, students and graduates, as well as allies from outside psychology. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the P.S.C. movement which spans our transition from the original single-issue and largely London-based Psychologists Against Austerity campaign to the huge range of campaigns and regional groups across the United Kingdom (now collectively known as P.S.C.) that grew out of this. A short graphic novel outlines our stories of origin and describes how we have been influenced by others who have operated in this field for a long time. We reflect on how the movement began, who was involved, how momentum was built and sustained, our culture and organisational methods, the challenges we’ve faced, and what we have learnt in the process. To bring this to life, examples from the work of P.S.C. Wales and P.S.C. North West (two of our autonomous geographical groups) are explored. We hope that this chapter is an informative and useful guide to taking action within and beyond the field of psychology.