Busara

The Low Cost Messaging Testing (LCMT) tool, developed by our team at Busara. Available in English, Kenyan Swahili, and Tanzanian Swahili, this tool is designed to make message testing more accessible and effective across diverse communities. In this video, our team of Gideon Too, Salim Kombo and Monica Akinyi Kay explains how LCMT helps craft messages that truly resonate with people, leading to better communication outcomes. You can use the tool here: https://lnkd.in/d7zC_zK6 #LCMT #InclusiveInnovation #Busara #MessageTesting

At Busara, we’ve observed how knowledge from the global South is often undervalued due to its origin. This bias has significant implications for diversity, equity, and inclusion in global knowledge systems. In Comparing Oranges to Oranges, authored by Stanley Ngugi and Mareike Schomerus, we explore the systemic challenges that shape the valuation of knowledge and propose actionable steps to address these inequities. 📖 Read the full article here and share your reflections with us in the comment section below: https://lnkd.in/dTW8vffg #KnowledgeEquity #DiversityAndInclusion #GlobalSouthVoices

At Busara, we’ve spent the last decade working closely with grassroots communities and civil society organizations to deepen public participation in governance processes. Our latest groundwork by Gideon Too captures lessons from this journey, highlighting the pivotal role of participatory democracy. Civil society organizations are the bridge between people and policymakers, amplifying grassroots voices and addressing real challenges. As we move beyond traditional participation limited to voting, we explore the need for citizens to actively shape the governance processes that impact their lives. To learn more about citizen participation in governance, click on the link below in the description: https://lnkd.in/dhVugTxX

Join us as we revisit some of Busara’s most impactful moments this year! In this featured video, Michael Onsando, our Voice and Impact Manager, introduces Tafakari, Busara’s 2024 yearbook. With 17 thought-provoking essays, Tafakari explores how human behavior drives solutions to global challenges like climate change, good governance, and public health. Highlights include Mohammed Alhaji on preparing for the next pandemic and Robert Nyaga, PhD on fostering collaboration under pressure. 📘 Watch the video and download your copy of Tafakari to explore these ideas further: https://lnkd.in/d9nTcRmt #Tafakari2024 #BehavioralScience #HumanImpact

Delighted to have partnered with Mercy Corps AgriFin ,Busara and the Catholic Relief Services to explore ways that SILC groups in Kenya can be optimised to form mutuals and become more resilient against the risks they face. #riskresilience #communityawareness

As part of our Best of 2024 series, we’re highlighting some of Busara's most impactful achievements this year. One of these milestones was the introduction of citizen ethnography—an innovative approach to qualitative data collection that goes beyond academia to empower individuals. This year, we trained 18 citizen ethnographers from Kenya and Uganda in ethnographic methods. The results? Rich insights for a British Academy-funded project and a clear demonstration of how research can transform lives. Hear from Mario Schmidt, Senior Research Specialist at Busara, about this groundbreaking journey and why "this type of work really sharpens your brain." Watch the video below and dive deeper into citizen ethnography in the essay on page 147 of A Better How 👉 https://lnkd.in/dR7eGzng

One-third of all food produced globally is wasted. In sub-Saharan Africa, much of this waste happens before food reaches consumers, often due to misconceptions about “funny-looking” produce. We studied traditional markets in Kenya and Nigeria to uncover the behavioral drivers of food waste. Our findings revealed a lack of awareness about the value of less aesthetically pleasing produce and fears among vendors about customer rejection. Through co-design workshops and lab experiments, we have developed targeted solutions: ✅ Point-of-purchase guides to improve vendor-consumer communication ✅ Innovative display formats to highlight nutritional value ✅ Consumer awareness campaigns that increased willingness to pay by 22% Dive into our latest article on our LinkedIn page and explore how these strategies—and others like visual cues, educational campaigns, and sustainable packaging—can reduce food waste and create more resilient food systems. #FoodSecurity #Sustainability #ReduceFoodWaste #BehavioralScience #Innovation

Thrilled to have been one of the panellists this morning at the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health 10th International Summit, themed #Democratising #& #Decolonising #Food #and #Nutrition (hybrid event). During the Nutrition Education Track session in partnership with Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior , we discussed on #Culturally #Responsive #Nutrition: #Bridging #Science #and #Society. The key insights I shared, are based on the latest publication (a collaboration between NNEdPro & Busara) Full article & PDF here: https://lnkd.in/dde45x5N Culturally responsive approaches ensure everyone has access to culturally appropriate, science-backed dietary guidance. This bridges the gap by: 🎯 Honouring Foodways: Respecting the deep connection between food, culture, and identity. This includes traditional food practices, beliefs about food and health, and the social significance of meals. 🎯Equity & Accessibility: Addressing systemic barriers faced by marginalised communities. This can involve ensuring culturally relevant, affordable, and accessible healthy food options. 🎯Empowerment: Moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach for informed dietary choices. Culturally responsive nutrition empowers individuals to make informed dietary choices that align with their cultural background and health goals. 🎯Building Trust: Collaboration & respect for traditional knowledge are key. Culturally responsive approaches build trust between nutrition professionals and communities. Active listening, collaboration, and recognising traditional knowledge are crucial. By fostering respectful dialogue and collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and diverse communities, we can create a more democratic and decolonised approach to food and nutrition that benefits everyone. #NNEdPro2024 #FoodSystems #PublicHealthNutrition #GlobalFoodSystems #CulturallyResponsiveNutrition

Today's challenges—from climate change to public health—are interconnected and dynamic. Addressing them requires a shift from isolated insights to systemic solutions that consider the bigger picture. In our latest thought piece, we break down how systems thinking combines behavioral science with real-world frameworks to solve complex problems at scale. Learn how organizations, policymakers, and leaders can approach challenges holistically, driving sustainable impact in a rapidly changing world. Discover practical strategies and insights that move beyond the obvious on the link below:- https://lnkd.in/dDTbujpx #BehavioralScience #SystemsThinking #ComplexProblems #Innovation #BusaraGroundwork

Mark Your Calendars: 2025 Nairobi Evidence Week From June 23–27, 2025, Nairobi will host the 2025 Nairobi Evidence Week, a week dedicated to advancing impactful research and evidence-based policy. This collaboration between Busara, Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) and The Network of Impact Evaluation Researchers in Africa will feature two key events designed to inspire innovation and foster collaboration. Africa Evidence Summit (June 23–24): Explore this year’s theme, “Better Data for Decision Making,” with top researchers and policymakers sharing their insights. ESA Africa Conference (June 25–27): Join a global gathering of experts in experimental and behavioral economics to showcase innovations and amplify African perspectives in research. June 25: A special day of interactive workshops and collaborative sessions. Why Attend? 1. Connect with global and local experts, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. 2. Discover cutting-edge innovations that drive meaningful, evidence-based change. 3. Contribute to shaping sustainable solutions for Africa's development. Save the date and stay tuned for more information. Read the full press release below for more details. #NairobiEvidenceWeek #ESA2025 #AfricaEvidenceSummit #ResearchForChange