Video Series: Using Research in Advocacy
This is a series of videos (2 to 6 minutes each) about how to use research in advocacy. I produced these videos for a training of LGBTI advocates (though most of it would apply to other kinds of advocacy). Some of them conducted their own research and population surveys, others were using research done by academics. These videos suggest how advocates should deploy the findings of research in order to change the institutions they have targeted in their advocacy work.
#1/12. Communications checklist.
What do you need to communicate the findings of your research in advocacy settings? Here is a checklist of documents to prepare.
#2/12. Examples of communications products.
Example of one phrase finding, methodology, theory story.
#3/12. Sloganize your findings.
In advocacy, if you want other people to adopt and repeat your findings in their work, you need to make it easy for them by sloganizing your findings.
#4/12 Echo chamber advocacy.
If you are a small organization, echo chamber advocacy is a good framework to achieve change.
#5/12. Executive Summary Pt. 1: What it is NOT.
Don’t fall into the trap of ending up with a VAGUE summary instead of an EXECUTIVE summary. It’s not an abstract or an introduction either.
#6/12. Executive Summary Pt. 2: Can you pass this test?
Here is how to test your Executive Summary to see if it provides useful information.
#7/12. Frameworks Pt. 1: Learn the framework of your advocacy target.
Each person has their own framework for understanding research.
#8/12. Frameworks Pt. 2: Examples.
Examples of frameworks of lawyers, development practitioners, researchers, media, etc..
#9/12. Frameworks Pt. 3: Choosing what content/messages to present.
Make your communication count. Tailor it to the framework of your advocacy target.
#10/12. Frameworks Pt. 4. Connecting to LGBTI People.
Don’t assume. LGBTI people could have one of four different frameworks.
#11/12. Experts Pt. 1. LGBTI people as experts on LGBTI issues?
Addressing issues of bias and credibility.
#12/12. Experts Pt. 1. Using Independent Experts.
What makes someone an expert? How to use them in advocacy.