Scientists as Activists: An Ethnography of the 'Critical Moments' in Scientists' Transition to Activism

The climate crisis has increasingly driven scientists to engage in activism. This ethnographic study examines how scientists transition into activism, reconcile their professional identity with activist roles, and sustain engagement over time. Drawing on two years of fieldwork with Scientists for Extinction Rebellion, this research captures the lived experiences of scientists transitioning into activism. Identity-aligned spaces offer emotional support, solidarity, and a sense of collective identity. These spaces help scientists navigate concerns about credibility, career repercussions, and the legitimacy of scientist-activism. The findings reveal how scientists strategically draw on their professional expertise and employ scientific symbols (e.g., lab-coats, papers) to legitimise and justify their actions. Over time, scientists come to see activism as a legitimate and necessary part of their identity. Activism reshapes their professional identity, reinforcing a moral duty to act while requiring ongoing identity management, leading to the development of a hybrid scientist-activist identity. Structured around a process-oriented framework, this study identifies critical moments in scientists’ activist trajectories—from initial hesitations to sustained participation. These insights advance social psychological theories of collective action by exploring how professional identities evolve within movements and by illuminating the role of identity-aligned spaces in sustaining long-term engagement.Keywords activism, climate change, ethnography, identity, scientists, collective action