Storytelling is not just an art form but an essential tool in communicating research. This was one of the key messages conveyed during knowledge-sharing forum, “Research in Action: Transforming Research Dissemination in the Digital Age”, conducted by the Socioeconomic Research Portal for the Philippines (SERP-P), an initiative of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).
The forum was part of a whole-day symposium, which served as an avenue for SERP-P network members to amplify their reach and improve research dissemination efforts. By leveraging modern information technology and fostering a robust research network, SERP-P aims to make research findings more accessible to policymakers, academics, and other stakeholders. As a one-stop hub, it provides access to a wide range of research outputs, including studies, discussion papers, books, and journal articles.
Ms. Gabby Baizas, Digital Forensics Researcher at Rappler and one of the presenters, explained the symbiotic relationship between data and stories. “Your writing is only as good as how understandable it is. If you have a lot of information, but you don’t know how to communicate it, it doesn’t have as much value,” she said. She emphasized that while stories benefit from the credence and grounding lent by data, data gains relevance and reach through storytelling.
Baizas also provided three practical tips in transforming research into a story: identifying the kind of story one wants to tell, identifying the data needed and where to obtain it, and using language that is accessible. Visual tools such as graphs and charts, she added, can further enhance understanding and engagement.
Building on this, Ms Ingrid Espinosa, Independent Consultant for Science Communication and Lecturer at Ateneo de Manila University, positioned storytelling as part of the scientific process. “Communicating is an easy way to multiply the impact and the results of the hard work you’ve already put in,” she stated.
Espinosa shared how the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the critical role of empathy and storytelling in helping the public grasp complex scientific concepts. She explained that research shared through stories is more believable and memorable to audiences than facts alone.
This emphasis on stakeholders also held true in the forum’s exploration of digital spaces and open science. Communications and Advocacy Head Mr. Luigi Conti of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) explained the ways in which the growing digital space has shaped the way we communicate. He presented data on Filipino internet usage, highlighting social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok as key avenues for engaging stakeholders.
However, Conti cautioned against limiting communication media and platforms. Use all tools at your disposal to fully utilize the digital sphere, he said. He also noted that incorporating humor and creativity can enhance the effectiveness of messages in digital environments.
Explore the SERP-P repository at https://serp-p.pids.gov.ph/ and watch the recording of the event at https://bit.ly/pidslive120524.
