“A Oes Heddwch?” The Lived Experiences of Black Lives Matter and Anti-Racist Activists in Wales

Thomas, BE (2025) “A Oes Heddwch?” The Lived Experiences of Black Lives Matter and Anti-Racist Activists in Wales. Doctoral thesis, Liverpool John Moores University.

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Abstract

The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement is a global phenomenon, yet most research focuses on its mobilisation and impact in the United States (US). This thesis examines the lived experiences of BLM and anti-racist activists in Wales, offering a unique perspective on how global movements are interpreted and enacted in smaller, underrepresented regions. By addressing the intersection of global and local dynamics, this research highlights the importance of cultural and individual narratives in social movement studies, particularly in contexts often overlooked in broader academic discourse.

The main aim of the study is to investigate how BLM and anti-racist action are understood and expressed in Wales. It uses Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to analyse twenty-one semi-structured interviews with activists to understand their lived experiences. Grounded in a cultural approach to social movements, it explores the role of identity, digital activism and decentralised leadership in activists’ strategies and engagement. The study is also inspired by New Social Movement Theory and Critical Race Theory, which further emphasises the role of identity, as well as narratives and emotions in the construction and shaping of movement meanings.

Findings are categorised into three empirical chapters, which look at the activists' biographical experiences, the network's cultural dynamics in Wales, and the role the nation and its history play in their experiences and actions. Through this analysis, I find that the construction of meanings in social movements is not static or universal but is constructed through activists’ personal experiences, cultural contexts, and localised strategies. In Wales, anti-racist activism reflects the interplay between national identity and the global movement’s ethos. This study challenges dominant portrayals of social movements as cohesive phenomena, emphasising their fragmented, adaptive, and culturally embedded nature. It underscores the need for greater attention to regional and individual dimensions in social movement research.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	activism; Black Lives Matter; social movements; Wales; identity; culture; cultural approach; protests
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions:	Humanities and Social Science
Date of acceptance:	28 April 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access:	24 June 2025
Date Deposited:	24 Jun 2025 11:02
Last Modified:	24 Jun 2025 11:03
DOI or ID number:	10.24377/LJMU.t.00026419
Supervisors:	Anderson, P, Millward, P and Walker, D
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/26419

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