From the Arab Spring to the Occupy Movement, activists are making strategic use of digital communication networks to encourage social change, according to Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer Mr Jake Wallis. Mr Wallis from the School of Information Studies will present a seminar at CSU in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 5 September, exploring how civil society uses the web and the impact it can have on democratic participation and politics.  “The internet, social media and mobile phones allow messages of protest to spread at high speeds,” Mr Wallis said. “New media can help activist groups to create a hard-hitting emotional narrative around social issues, which can generate support across regional, national and international networks.”  The seminar will also be streamed to the Swedish School of Library and Information Science, University of Borås in Sweden.