New Publication
Launch: Responsible Data for Children Studio Methodology
An approach to collaboratively and responsibly define, prioritize, and unlock the data needed to inform decisions and programs that seek to improve children’s wellbeing
Posted on 18th of October 2023 by Andrew Zahuranec, Sara Marcucci
Around the world, children face complex problems related to health, education, poverty, and more. Data can be a useful tool in helping organizations understand and address these challenges—identifying when and where to deploy resources, assessing program effectiveness, predicting future crises.
In a time of limited resources, however, organizations need to be specific and targeted to make the most impact. They need to find ways to focus on the most important problems with their collaborators, break those problems into manageable components, and develop new data-driven solutions.
Today, the Responsible Data for Children initiative has developed a tool to help organizations do just that: The Responsible Data for Children (RD4C) Studio Methodology.
Inspired by resources such as the UK Design Council’s Double Diamond Methodology and The GovLab’s 100 Questions Methodology, the studio methodology allows organizations to explore and collaboratively define strategies related to child welfare and data. The methodology (pictured below) is divided into four phases:
Planning: Understanding what the project hopes to address and why the use of data is useful;
Convening: Bringing together stakeholders to develop tailored solutions to the previously identified challenge or solution;
Synthesis, Prototyping and Iteration: Synthesizing the results of prior discussions into a prototype solution that partners can test on a limited basis;
Release: Assessing the solutions with collaborators and reporting back.
The Studio Methodology is a core part of the Responsible Data for Children toolkit. Already deployed through the initiative’s work in Uganda, the methodology proved instrumental in helping UNICEF and UNHCR Uganda and the Government of Uganda identify ways to improve the mental health and psychosocial services available to refugee children.
Recommendations developed through the series have informed ongoing efforts to develop a taxonomy for MHPSS data, improve data governance, and develop a data catalogue for the government and its partners.
If you use the methodology to inform your own work, please reach out and let us know by contacting us at [email protected]. To get future updates on our work, subscribe to our newsletter here.
Photo by Charlein Gracia | Unsplash is licensed under CC0.