Door-to-door canvassers are broadly considered an irritation, but research shows they could feed genuine social change. In a new study, ten-minute conversations with people on their doorsteps spurred a greater drop in transphobia among participants than in US homophobia between 1998 and 2012.

Studies show that our ability to empathise has greatly diminished over the last 30 years. It’s due in part to the uptake of smartphones and social media – we’re all too busy thinking about ourselves. But while it might be part of the problem, could technology also be used to make us more empathetic?

In December 2013, the law allowing gay marriage was overturned in Australia – spurring outrage, as two thirds of people support same-sex unions. At Sydney's Mardi Gras, ANZ turned its cashpoints into glitzy GAYTMs, sending a bold statement: accept our cash, accept our values.

In the US, high-profile debates over LGBTQ rights are highlighting a national state of uncertainty. With new research showing that the split between acceptance and discrimination is practically 50/50, there's an opportunity for brands to take a stance and make a real difference.