Creating Stories of Change

On November 1, 2017, NWO-WOTRO together with the Food & Business Knowledge Platform offered a training to GCP consortia on how to write and tell stories of change. The training aimed to inspire researchers to identify and present their research insights and to address various target audiences. Dutch ARF project members were also invited. The training was given by Petra de Boer and Lisette Gast from Perspectivity. Please find the report with the exercises of the day here.   

Background

While all GCP consortia have developed a Theory of Change that visualizes and describes the desired long-term outcomes and envisioned pathways, the importance of tracking small changes is often forgotten. Maybe because in the light of long-term outcomes they seem less relevant. However, it is valuable to share insights on observed changes during the implementation of the research and move beyond the reporting of activities implemented. The regular sharing of new insights, observed changes and key turning points with the research consortium, research partners, GCP funders and the broader public, contributes to adaptive learning between partners and of the entire system.

Training

The goal of the Stories of Change training was to enable GCP researchers to document their key turning points and research insights and turn these into attractive and informative publications. For example, participants were invited to write blogs, create a podcast or infographic, or write an article.

Several stories of change were developed after the training. Please find them below:

• Podcast “Hope in Kisumu” by Nicky Pouw and Eunice Likoko
• Blog “The importance of an early reality check – Asking cocoa farmers about pruning” by Ambra Tosto
• Blog “Your research can have more impact than you may expect – Why are Brazilian cattle breeders interested in crossbred pigs” by Claudia Sevillano
• Blog “Art in the lab: ‘Colourful’ bacteria in traditional Zambian products” by Anneloes Groenenboom
• Article “How a stakeholders’ committee can make a difference in the way of doing research?” by Donald Houessou
• Infographic “Innovative weather censoring and information service for local farmers” by Ellen van Andel.