The Need for More Alliances in Advocating for, with, and to Others in Higher Education

Though advocacy and activism have been frequent topics of research, few studies explore this work across campus roles, meaning inclusive of students, faculty, and staff. A more holistic understanding of advocacy would pave the way for more effective social justice efforts. Researchers used hermeneutic phenomenology to engage with 26 advocates finding that identity influences advocacy; advocates work for, with, and to others; and advocates take risks with consequences associated with their identities. The American Counseling Association's Advocacy Competencies extended the analysis to reveal the lack of alliances in cross-campus advocacy.