Research reports
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Risk communication for early action (RiCA)
September 2024
The pocket guides to disaster risk communication and essential research -
Media consumption in Afghanistan
December 2023
This report summarizes research that aimed to better understand Afghans' access to and preference for different media content and platforms, their trust in media, how people use and share mis- and disinformation and ways to counter these. -
Women鈥檚 empowerment collectives and the power of digital
2021-2023
Through research and pilot initiatives, we are working with women's collectives in India to learn how digital technology can further empower women. Read insights from our research studies here. -
Protecting independent media for effective development
2020-present
Read the collection of research, learning and insight from our flagship media development project in Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone. -
Insights: Effective communication for Rohingya refugees
2018-2023
Our 'Common Service' consortium, with Translators without Borders and Ground Truth Solutions, provides a range of tools and services for Rohingya people, local community leaders and humanitarian responders. Learn more about our work, our insight and our impact on this page. -
Understanding mental health in the Rohingya community
2021-2024
This formative study, produced by 大象传媒 Media Action Bangladesh, explored people鈥檚 perception of mental health, related social stigma, service-seeking behaviour and motivation and barriers to accessing mental health services within both host and Rohingya communities. -
What role has the 'common service' played in helping effective communication during the COVID-19 pandemic?
June 2021
As common service resources and attention have been diverted to focus on COVID-19, a key focus of the evaluation this year was to understand how the project has been able to support agencies and communities through the pandemic. -
What role does having a dedicated 鈥榗ommon service鈥� make to community engagement and accountability?
February 2021
This report uses five case studies to explore the impact the Common Service project is having on humanitarian organisations' work with Rohingya communities in Bangladesh. -
How climate change impacts women
Autumn 2020
Our research for UN Women Cambodia explores how women and men experience the impact of climate change, and how gender norms influence their ability to respond. -
How the people of Cambodia live with climate change and what communication can do
February 2019
A survey exploring how Cambodians are living with climate change, the most effective ways to help people adapt and how media and communication can provide support. -
How effective is communication in the Rohingya refugee response?
September 2018
This paper evaluates our project supporting humanitarian and media agencies and how they communicate and engage with Rohingya people living in camps in Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh. -
Improving reproductive, maternal and newborn health in Ethiopia
November 2017
This report evaluates the impact of a five year project that aimed to improve reproductive, maternal and child health through heath communication. -
Nutrition and WASH research and behaviour change communication in Nepal
October 2017
This formative research sought to understand the barriers to and enablers of improved nutrition and WASH behaviours and practices in two districts of Nepal. -
Strengthening accountability through media in Afghanistan
July 2017
This evaluation looks at the work 大象传媒 Media Action undertook as part of a five-year, DFID-funded programme to improve accountability in Afghanistan. -
Improving maternal and child health through media in South Sudan
April 2017
We evaluate the impact of radio in supporting improved reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health (RMNCH) in South Sudan. -
Media and political participation - fostering inclusive governance
October 2016
This paper makes an important contribution to the growing evidence base on the role of media in the developing world. -
Voices of Refugees
July 2016
This report provides a snapshot of refugees鈥� communication needs at different points on their journey, based on interviews held in Greece and Germany. -
Exploring the role of communication in community health
April 2016
This paper reviews research innovation in the form of pioneering field experiments in the media and political development sector. -
Media development - an evaluation of five training projects
February 2016
This research report articulates 大象传媒 Media Action鈥檚 evolving approach to capacity strengthening within the media development sector. -
Media, discussion and attitudes in fragile contexts
October 2015
This report forms part of a growing body of work that attempts to understand the role of media in influencing conflict.
Research briefings
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Supporting young Zambians to make sexual and reproductive health decisions
July 2024
This briefing summarises endline research that evaluated phase three of the youth-focused Tikambe (Let鈥檚 Talk) project, which used media and interpersonal communication to reduce sexual and reproductive health risks among young Zambians. -
Understanding how to increase uptake of WASH, nutrition and maternal and child health services
June 2024
This briefing summarises qualitative research with mothers, families, and key influencers in Afghanistan. 鈥疶he study sought to identify Afghans' information needs, the barriers and enablers to accessing services and adopting practices, and the key issues for communication to address. -
Using drama to tackle mental health in the Rohingya camps
June 2024
This briefing summarises the findings from our evaluation of the drama series Aa鈥檙ar Kissa and provides recommendations for future programming on mental health. -
Leading efforts to adapt to climate change 鈥� locally
December 2023
This briefing summarises how communities are adapting to climate related problems and the benefits, barriers, and drivers of these adaptations. The study focused on locally-led adaptation techniques. -
How do social norms limit participation of women's political leadership?
September 2023
This briefing examines social norms in Tanzania that hinder women鈥檚 participation in political leadership. -
How understanding gender dynamics informed the development of the Niambie project?
September 2023
This briefing summarises baseline and formative research into the social, economic and political rights and decision-making powers of young women and girls in Tanzania. Findings informed the gender-focused Broadcasting for Change project. -
How can media represent LGBTQI+ communities more effectively in Ukraine?
This briefing outlines our research findings and learnings from producing a series of short documentary films designed to increase understanding around LGBTQI+ communities in Ukraine. -
Changing gender roles and attitudes in times of conflict in Ukraine: a research study
June 2023
Women in Ukraine feel acute impacts of the war on their mental and physical health, and risk returning to old gender stereotypes. This series of research briefings examines women's information needs, media usage and changing roles and is our largest-ever study in Ukraine. -
How radio can build a more supportive environment for girls鈥� education, learning and empowerment
April 2023
This briefing presents insights and recommendations from an evaluation of the reach, engagement and impact of two radio programmes produced by 大象传媒 Media Action for Every Adolescent Girl Empowered and Resilient (EAGER) project in Sierra Leone. -
Solomon Islands: Understanding audiences and the role of media and communication
April 2023
We conducted extensive research to understand the needs, values and media habits of Solomon Islanders. These insights are now being used to support the development of a better information ecosystem for the future of Solomon Islands. -
What do people in Nepal need to prepare better for disasters?
February 2023
We conducted studies to understand what people need to better prepare for natural hazards. The findings have been used to inform the co-design of the National Disaster Risk Communication Strategy and provide valuable information to others communicating with people in Nepal on how to prepare for disasters. -
Media usage in Nepal 2022
February 2023
This briefing provides an overview of media usage amongst people living in Nepal in 2022. -
Climate change: New evidence on how media can engage youth to take action
August 2022
This multi-method evaluation adds to existing evidence by showing how branded media content in Indonesia has been effective in increasing young Indonesian鈥檚 knowledge, motivation and confidence - to engage, take individual actions and discuss deforestation and climate change issues. -
How media and communication are supporting Somalis through the pandemic
February 2022
This learning brief highlights our research and project learning on producing media output around COVID-19. Identifying misinformation and tackling stigma to communicate important information related to COVID-19 in Somalia. -
Using radio drama to tackle disability discrimination in Nigeria
February 2022
This briefing examines the evidence for using drama to address disability-related stigma, discusses lessons on how best to engage audiences on disability inclusion through media and evaluates the impact of the Story Story radio drama on audiences. -
What is life like for young Cambodians and how are they participating in civic life?
June 2021
This study takes a look at the lives of young Cambodians, including what their key values are and how they participate in civic life. -
Understanding how young Cambodians use media and information
May 2021
This study takes a look at the lives of young Cambodians, including how they access and use media and information. -
Supporting young Ethiopians to succeed in employment. What role can communication play?
May 2021
This study of 5 research briefings sought to better understand young people in Ethiopia. The information needs of young people were assessed, as well as the existing networks which may impact their decisions and roles in their communities. Looking at the role of media and communication in supporting young people to realise their aspirations, succeed in employment, and lead healthy, active lives. -
How media and communication are helping to tackle malaria in Sierra Leone
February 2021
This briefing shows how media and communication can contribute to better malaria control and stronger take-up of health services among listeners in Sierra Leone. -
How can radio drama shift peoples鈥� perceptions around violence and support women to resolve disputes?
November 2020
This briefing takes a look at how gender norms have been addressed through Life in Lulu, 大象传媒 Media Action's radio drama in South Sudan. -
Water, sanitation, hygiene and nutrition in Nepal
April 2020
This briefing explains how our formative qualitative research in mid- and far-western Nepal informed the production of radio public service announcements (PSAs) about key water, sanitation, hygiene and nutrition issues. -
Supporting earthquake-affected communities through radio in Nepal
August 2019
This research briefing shows how the 大象传媒 Media Action team in Nepal produced radio programmes to support Nepali communities affected by the 2015 earthquake, and encouraged people to build homes that were more resistant to earthquakes. -
Countering trafficking in persons
August 2019
This research aimed to understand our target audiences - trafficked persons or those most at risk of trafficking in Thailand - to help inform our communication strategies. -
How a multi-media project supports peacebuilding in Myanmar
June 2019
Our research briefing describes the process behind the creation of our innovative multi-media project Khan Sar Kyi (Feel it!). -
Tea Cup Diaries - helping communities in Myanmar understand each other
May 2019
How can a radio drama support audiences in Myanmar to understand, and be more accepting towards, greater religious and ethnic diversity? Learn more in our latest research briefing. -
Helping radio listeners manage their money in Myanmar
May 2019
This briefing looks at the role radio can play in helping people manage their money effectively in Myanmar, and how audience research and adapting programming are important to achieving impact in this area. Find out more in our latest research. -
Violence against women within the Rohingya refugee community
November 2018
To inform the development of a new radio drama for Rohingya refugees in Cox鈥檚 Bazar, we carried out a small-scale qualitative research study that sought to understand more about Rohingya men and womens鈥� understanding and attitudes towards child marriage, intimate partner violence, sexual exploitation and abuse. -
How media programming is supporting polio eradication
October 2018
This briefing outlines how media can engage parents, caregivers and community influencers with issues about polio vaccination. -
A radio drama for Syria, qualitative research findings
April 2018
This briefing explores the impact on listeners of a contemporary serial radio drama set in conflict-affected Syria. -
Can a health drama and discussion show affect the drivers of behaviour change?
March 2017
This briefing explores the extent to which drama and discussion shows in Bangladesh can drive behaviour change around child and maternal health. -
Can media affect political participation?
November 2016
This paper makes an important contribution to the growing evidence base on the role of media in the developing world. -
What role does lifeline preparedness play in enabling effective communication in a crisis?
October 2016
This study evaluates to what extent 大象传媒 Media Action鈥檚 preparedness work has built its own capacity and that of its partners to produce Lifeline broadcasts that meet audiences鈥� information and communication needs in a crisis.
