By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU) Summer School concluded today at the University of Greenwich, marking a significant milestone in global efforts to defend public services and build strategic research capacity among trade unionists and civil society activists from around the world.
The intensive week-long program brought together participants from multiple continents to develop sophisticated research and advocacy skills specifically designed to counter privatisation efforts and advance pro-public ownership agendas. The summer school represents a groundbreaking approach to movement building, combining academic rigour with grassroots activism to create a new generation of strategically equipped public service defenders.
Building Global Solidarity Through Strategic Research
“This summer school represents more than just skills training – it’s about building international solidarity and shared capacity to resist the corporate capture of our essential public services,” said Vera Weghmann, Director of PSIRU. “Participants are leaving with not just research tools, but with a global network of allies and a shared understanding of how to use evidence-based advocacy to reclaim public services for workers, communities, and the planet.”
The program featured international experts from Public Services International (PSI), Trade Unions for Energy Democracy (TUED), the Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research (CICTAR), and the Transnational Institute (TNI). Instructors included leading researchers and activists from around the world, reflecting the truly global nature of the public services struggle.
Comprehensive Curriculum Addresses Current Challenges
The curriculum addressed evolving challenges facing public services in the 21st century. Participants engaged in sessions covering strategic corporate research, the growing influence of private equity in public services, decarbonization modelling under public ownership, and advanced data visualisation techniques for policy advocacy.
Particularly notable was the focus on emerging technologies, with Jenny Tue Anh Nguyen leading sessions on “AI for Research: Applications and Edges” and “Data Visualisation Toolkit,” equipping participants with cutting-edge tools to enhance their advocacy efforts.
The program also addressed the critical intersection of climate justice and public services, with sessions by Mika Minio-Paluello of Transition Economics on Modelling decarbonization under public ownership and critically important presentations on Reclaiming Public Services – using research for Campaigning by Daria Cibrario (PSI) and Sean Sweeney (City University of New York), Strategic Company research by Vera Weghmann and David Hall (PSIRU), The increased involvement of Private Equity, by Al-hassan Adam (PSIRU) and Livi Gerbase (CICTAR), Financing Public Services by David Hall (PSIRU) and Mike Lewis, Contracts, Termination and Compensation Emanuele Lobina, David Hall, Vera Weghmann (PSIRU), Surveys: Collectivising workers’ voices by James Lazou (Unite), Evidences and Policy Evaluation Design by Jenny Tue Anh Nguyen (PSIRU), (Qualitative) Interviews, Focus Groups Methodology & Coding by Vera Weghmann and Al-hassan Adam(PSIRU), Political Economy and Public Policy Analysis by Sean Sweeney (CUNY), a hands-on session on Engaging with Media, Press and Comms by Aderonke Ige (Help Initiative) and David Hall (PSIRU) and a practical wrap up session on Research to tactics and action by Isabel Cortez and Petros Elia of the United Voices of Workers.
Real-World Application Through Strategic Campaigns
A highlight was the innovative capstone project component, where participants worked in collaborative groups to develop strategic campaign proposals addressing real-world challenges. These “From Research to Reality” projects required participants to apply their skills to develop comprehensive campaign strategies, including policy analysis, stakeholder mapping, tactical planning, and risk assessment.
The capstone presentations showcased campaigns addressing diverse issues from resisting privatisation and advancing just energy transitions to defending labour rights and building public alternatives. Each group was supported by experienced tutors, including Sean Sweeney from the City University of New York and Daria Cibrario from Public Services International.
International Perspective and Network Building
The summer school brought together diverse perspectives on public service challenges, with participants representing struggles from across the Global North and South. This international dimension proved crucial in developing comprehensive strategies that account for different contexts while maintaining a shared commitment to public ownership and democratic control.
James Lazou from Unite the Union shared insights from the UK’s public services sector, while Livi Gerbase from CICTAR brought expertise from Latin American contexts. This cross-pollination creates a more robust global movement capable of addressing increasingly sophisticated corporate tactics.
Media Engagement and Movement Building
The program concluded with strategic communication training in “Engaging with Media, Press and Comms,” led by Aderonke Ige and David Hall. This session equipped participants with skills in both traditional media engagement and social media strategies, emphasising international coordination in building public support. “Campaigns around public services by unions or NGOs involve spreading awareness of the issues, the research being produced, and the actions being taken. Engaging with mainstream media and using social media are key ways of doing this, to influence political processes and strengthen organisation”, says David Hall, while Aderonke Ige noted that “The media landscape has fundamentally changed how we build movements,”, emphasising that “The session gave participants the tools to tell their own stories, amplify their collective impact, and build digital solidarity across borders.”
Sustainable Impact and Future Networks
As participants return to their organisations, they carry enhanced research skills and access to a global network of public ownership researchers and activists. The collaborative approach ensures knowledge and strategies are shared across organisations and borders, with campaign briefs from capstone projects compiled into a comprehensive toolkit for the broader movement.
About PSIRU
The Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU) is a research centre at the University of Greenwich specialising in research on public services, public ownership, privatisation, and public-private partnerships. PSIRU provides evidence-based analysis to support trade unions, civil society organisations, and policymakers in defending and expanding public services worldwide.
The 2025 Summer School represents PSIRU’s commitment to building research capacity and promoting international solidarity in the fight for public services, bridging academic research and grassroots activism to challenge corporate power and advance democratic public ownership.
