Bridging SBC Evidence to Action through Data Storytelling

SBCC must be informed by data, yet good evidence often remains inaccessible or unused for policy or program design. Data stories, developed with insights from multiple datasets, can powerfully bridge from evidence to practice. Effective data storytelling begins with understanding the audience: who they are, what decisions they must make, and the context in which they operate. When data and its presentation are tailored to these needs, decision-makers and practitioners can grasp the landscape, identify gaps, connections, and act with confidence and impact. 

Insights –a deeper understanding of a complex situation or behavior that reveals patterns, motivations, or underlying reasons– can be teased from datasets with thoughtful analysis through a real-world lens. Data triangulation –the synthesis of multiple datasets– stitches together insights into a narrative, providing a more contextual view of a public health problem and overcoming limitations of a single dataset. Visualisation can further illustrate data stories to facilitate better program planning and decision making. With thoughtful synthesis and storytelling, data can better reveal how to address the opportunities and barriers that influence people's lives, and how to design communication and engagement strategies that empower communities towards lasting behaviour change.

This participatory workshop will strengthen participants capacity to triangulate, synthesize, interpret, and communicate data in actionable ways. Using case studies and hands-on group exercises, participants will learn to identify audiences, understand their priorities, frame responsive research questions, identify and analyze relevant data, surface insights, triangulate, visualise, and communicate evidence to strengthen decision-making and behavior change outcomes.