Translating knowledge to action

Module 6

In this module

This module contains two sessions: 1) exploring how social science evidence can translate to actual change in the planning and roll-out of community engagement and communication activities (Session 6.1), and 2) exploring what an enabling environment looks like so that social science can best inform emergency response operations (Session 6.2).

Translating social science research
into action

6.1

Content

This session explores how social science evidence can translate to actual change in the planning and roll-out of community engagement and/or communications activities. It discusses key considerations, challenges and practical steps needed to translate social science evidence to action.

Learning outcomes:

  • Understand what it means to translate social science research into action
  • Understand the key challenges and opportunities to effectively translate knowledge to inform programming and/or policy
  • Become familiar with practical steps needed to translate evidence to inform action

Duration: 120 minutes

Materials
Additional materials
Download

Enabling environments for the uptake of social science evidence in emergency response

6.2

Content

This session aims to explore what an enabling environment looks like so that social science can inform different phases of an emergency response and how it can best be promoted.

Learning outcomes:

  • Be able to identify opportunities to create an enabling environment for uptake of social science findings within response pillars, by technical clusters and by sectors
  • Be able to identify opportunities to embed operational social science across different phases of a community-centred response
  • Understand what an enabling environment looks like at the community level to ensure that research can inform local action

Duration: 110 minutes

Materials
Additional materials
Download

Modules

The training modules were developed to address key social science competency domains for those working in community engagement and/or communications related fields. Each module is made up of multiple sessions. Each individual session has a specific focus and learning outcome, which relates directly to the competency statement developed for each domain.

Guidance for delivering training

0

1

Social Science in humanitarian action and health emergencies

2

Context analysis and behavioural drivers and barriers

3

Ethics in operational research

4

Implementation of social science research approaches

5

Evidence synthesis, interpretation and dissemination

6

Translating knowledge to action

7

Tracking the uptake of socio-behavioural evidence

Contact

9

Ginger Johnson

Social Science Team Lead, Trainer & Research Specialist

The Collective Service

Acknowledgement

Development of this training package was led by Anthrologica for the Collective Service. The content was co-produced with partners from the Social Science in Humanitarian Action Platform (SSHAP), the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), Translators Without Borders (TWB), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Rapid Research Evaluation and Appraisal Lab (RREAL) at University College London (UCL), UNICEF’s Social Science Analytics Cell (CASS), UNICEF’s Social Science for Community Engagement (SS4CE) team, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Oxfam and READY at Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Sincere thanks are also extended to the United Nations Volunteers (UNVs) who assisted with reviewing translated materials.