Prof Brian Doherty

Brian’s principal research interest is in the relationship between radical ideas and actions, particularly in environmental movements. His work has therefore covered green parties, local environmental protesters, major NGOs, and environmental direct action in Britain and other countries.

His most recent book (with Tim Doyle—Keele and Adelaide Universities) is a study of the internal politics of Friends of the Earth International. They carried out a three year study of FoEI, funded by the ESRC. This included a survey of its member organisations, observation of key meetings and analysis of its internal debates.  The research concentrates on the sometimes contentious relations between Northern and Southern member organisations of FoEI. Fortunate to be able to do the research while FoEI was developing a strategic plan following political differences that had caused divisions in previous years., the research argues that FoEI has developed a particularly productive form of solidarity which enables its members to work together despite their differences, and that the complex processes that create solidarity in transnational networks and organisations, while little appreciated or studied, are of great significance in showing how common action can be sustained transnationally.