What is Social Transformation?
The Institute for Social Transformation develops research-based solutions to urgent problems. We try to understand and transform the underlying systemic causes of problems, rather than address only the most obvious symptoms. This includes promoting systemic change in institutions and social relationships, social norms and values, and relationships of power.
Social change can occur incrementally or in broad strokes. Change happens through a variety of processes, including political upheavals and social movements, technological innovations and economic restructuring, responses to environmental degradation and natural disasters, changing values and cultural expressions. Contributing to positive social transformation thus requires inter-disciplinary approaches that value multiple forms of knowledge.
All social transformation is a collective process. The Institute for Social Transformation brings the research-based expertise and resources of UC Santa Cruz to this collaboration. We partner with others who are committed to building local and global societies that are rooted in equity, access and opportunity for all people, environmental regeneration and democratic revitalization.
For more information about the institute and our work, explore:
