 Ackerman's thesis, "Strategic Aspects of Nonviolent Resistance Movements", examined the nonviolent strategy and tactics used by people who are living under oppression and have no viable military option to free themselves.In 1983 Ackerman co-founded the Albert Einstein Institute, which according to "Bloomberg News", "advises pro-democracy activists on how to topple dictators via protests and mock elections".In 1989 Ackerman consulted with student protestors from China following the Tiananmen Square incident.