Foundations, Frameworks, and the Future of Influence
"A comprehensive guide to understanding and shaping influence within complex human systems"
This guide is grounded in strategic advocacy research, systems thinking, and practical frameworks for understanding how influence flows through institutions and organisational environments.
This foundational work outlines the structural, relational, and strategic components of influence, and explains how individuals and organisations can create sustainable change by working with — rather than against — complex human systems.
A leading institution in strategic advocacy research and professional development.
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Advocacy & Systems Strategy is released under Creative Commons licensing and may be used for educational and advocacy purposes.
Foundational ideas for understanding influence, advocacy, and system-level change in complex organisations.
How information, decisions, and behaviours flow through systems, shaping outcomes and opportunities for strategic advocacy.
Understanding how formal and informal power structures influence fairness, accountability, and opportunities for systemic change.
The structural components of organisations and institutions that shape behaviour and determine where advocacy can have the greatest impact.
Patterns of reinforcement that either strengthen or weaken organisational behaviours, helping advocates identify leverage points for intervention.
Examining how policies, resources, and priorities are set — and how advocates can contribute to more ethical and transparent decision-making processes.
Identifying the different roles people play in systems — supporters, resistors, connectors, and decision-makers — and how collaboration strengthens change efforts.
How advocacy and systems strategy principles translate into actionable approaches for building healthier, more ethical, and more sustainable organisations.
Recognising opportunities for influence, strengthening personal advocacy skills, and understanding one’s role within local systems.
Building shared language, aligning priorities, and designing protective and supportive cultures that reinforce ethical practice.
Implementing structural reforms, improving communication channels, and aligning policy with ethical, evidence-based advocacy principles.