Exploring the Notion of Radical Resilience through a Prefigurative Lens
By Kiara Gezels
This Master thesis, “Enacting Resilience: Exploring the Notion of Radical Resilience through a Prefigurative Lens,” by Kiara Gezels, delves into the concept of resilience within social movements, particularly focusing on climate justice activism. The study critiques traditional resilience as being a return to the status quo, advocating instead for radical resilience—a transformative form of resilience that not only helps movements survive but also challenges dominant systems, like capitalism.
Using prefiguration theory, the thesis explores how everyday practices can contribute to long-term movement sustainability and social transformation. It applies performative methods, specifically Community Theatre and Theatre of the Oppressed, to examine how climate activists engage with and understand resilience. These methods foster collective learning, emotional engagement, and reflexivity, offering insights into how radical resilience can serve as a tool for building sustainable activism and resisting systemic oppression.
The study is grounded in arts-based and participatory action research, emphasizing the integration of emotional, experiential, and communal knowledge in activism. The findings suggest that radical resilience, when practiced through prefigurative actions, can be a powerful means of enacting systemic change, contributing to both personal and collective empowerment within movements.
In summary, the thesis presents radical resilience as a transformative force in climate activism, supported by innovative research methods that encourage community-driven change and challenge prevailing societal structures.
A special thanks to the Resilient Revolt group for participating in this study.
(c) Lisa Jelem
