This initiative is part of UCRF’s third Action Season, and reflects our ongoing commitment to foster critical dialogue and build an activist knowledge ecology. Knowledge Circles were launched by UCRF board members Hakan and Vinit, with the support of the wider board, as a space for members to share, explore, and reflect on research grounded in the UCRF manifesto.

These one-hour, bimonthly sessions create space for deep, focused discussion around individual research papers or projects. Each session begins with a short presentation, followed by an open conversation that invites diverse perspectives and questions. The aim is not just to present work—but to collectively consider its implications for systemic change in fashion and beyond.

This was a Union of Concerned Researchers project, organised as part of our third Action Season. On May 12, UCRF hosted a focused session exploring how academics can meaningfully engage with policymakers. Despite a small group, the conversation was rich—ranging from the urgency of influencing EU textile policy to strategies for making research resonate in political spaces. This post brings together key takeaways from that discussion, the Degrowth Conference in Oslo, and follow-up reflections during UCRF’s AGM, offering insights into what works, what doesn’t, and why persistence matters.