New Approaches to SBCC: Hype or Hope?
Summary:
New methods and approaches to solve behavioral problems are emerging - applied behavioral science, human-centred design, and data science. These new approaches have much to offer the social and behavior change field. Data science can identify drivers and patterns that predict and explain behavior and segments for more precise intervention design. Applied behavioral science can help close the last mile intent-behavior gap, drawing on knowledge of human psychology. Human Centred design, with its focus on immersive research and iterative prototyping can allow for concrete feedback and continuous improvement at an early stage in the design process. While these approaches have been gaining traction, they have not yet been integrated at scale into SBCC programming. Are these approaches and methods really all that new or are they just old wine in new bottles? What assumptions of current SBCC programming if any do they challenge and disrupt? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each approach? What needs to be done to convince those on the fence to adopt these approaches? In this Blue Sky session, the panelists will (a) give the audience a precise definition and highlight the distinctive elements of these disciplines (b) challenge each other on when these approaches can be integrated into a programme build on each others approaches to a vision of an ideal programme and (d) present their view of barriers and opportunities for SBCC in the next five years to scale these approaches.
Discussion/Implications for the Field:
A frank discussion will bring key areas of clarification about these disciplines. Active debate and questions from the audience will uncover strengths and weaknesses of different methods, and insights around how disciplines can be integrated into SBCC programming. Our hope is that this will drive more thoughtful and pragmatic integration of such approaches in the coming years, with a greater body of evidence and learning for how new disciplines can bolster programming for greater impact.
Abstract submitted by:
Adanma Abalunam - Busara Center
Chaning Jang - Busara Center
Chris Larkin - Ideo
Jana Smith - ideas42
Sema Sgaier - Surgo Foundation
Archna Vyas - Gates Foundation
New methods and approaches to solve behavioral problems are emerging - applied behavioral science, human-centred design, and data science. These new approaches have much to offer the social and behavior change field. Data science can identify drivers and patterns that predict and explain behavior and segments for more precise intervention design. Applied behavioral science can help close the last mile intent-behavior gap, drawing on knowledge of human psychology. Human Centred design, with its focus on immersive research and iterative prototyping can allow for concrete feedback and continuous improvement at an early stage in the design process. While these approaches have been gaining traction, they have not yet been integrated at scale into SBCC programming. Are these approaches and methods really all that new or are they just old wine in new bottles? What assumptions of current SBCC programming if any do they challenge and disrupt? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each approach? What needs to be done to convince those on the fence to adopt these approaches? In this Blue Sky session, the panelists will (a) give the audience a precise definition and highlight the distinctive elements of these disciplines (b) challenge each other on when these approaches can be integrated into a programme build on each others approaches to a vision of an ideal programme and (d) present their view of barriers and opportunities for SBCC in the next five years to scale these approaches.
Discussion/Implications for the Field:
A frank discussion will bring key areas of clarification about these disciplines. Active debate and questions from the audience will uncover strengths and weaknesses of different methods, and insights around how disciplines can be integrated into SBCC programming. Our hope is that this will drive more thoughtful and pragmatic integration of such approaches in the coming years, with a greater body of evidence and learning for how new disciplines can bolster programming for greater impact.
Abstract submitted by:
Adanma Abalunam - Busara Center
Chaning Jang - Busara Center
Chris Larkin - Ideo
Jana Smith - ideas42
Sema Sgaier - Surgo Foundation
Archna Vyas - Gates Foundation
Source
Approved abstract for the postponed 2020 SBCC Summit in Marrakech, Morocco. Provided by the International Steering Committee for the Summit. Image credit:
Nearsoft Inc via Flickr (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)