Online event: Reimagining disengagement

Join Darren McGarvey, social commentator and author of Poverty Safari, The Social Distance Between Us and The Trauma Industrial Complex (out in August), alongside OU academics to discuss the causes of disengagement and what should be done about it at this free event.
Political disengagement is rising in the UK, with declining turnout, eroding trust and growing polarisation. Some groups, particularly young people and the economically disadvantaged, are especially disengaged. But is that down to a lack of interest or a lack of power and voice? Research suggests some people may actively choose not to engage due to a lack of trust in politics, institutions, and those in power.
Reaching disengaged groups is essential for a healthy civic society – it allows for better policymaking and a healthier and more representative democracy. It also raises important questions about how we define and understand political engagement: does choosing not to vote, but taking part in a street protest or online campaign, still count as disengagement? To increase engagement, we first need to engage with those groups to get their feedback on the key issues and barriers to their participation. So how do we do that?
Join us for this online event, to get some practical insights into methods of engaging the disengaged in making change in politics, democracy and civil society, specifically aimed at policy makers and campaigning organisations.
And find out about our free disengagement toolkit and how you can use it.
When/where: Launch of the ‘Engaging the disengaged’ toolkit on 3rd June 2025, 12-1.30pm.
Who: This event is organised by The Open University’s Dr Donna Smith and Dr Dan Taylor, in conjunction with PolicyWISE and Open Societal Challenges. We are honoured to be joined by social commentator Darren McGarvey who will discuss his work.
Please note this event will be recorded.