Our research and insight
We believe in media and communication for good
Our audiences are at the heart of everything we do: this key BBC value is vital for us to create effective communication to change people's lives for the better. We talk to people across all the countries in which we work, to understand their lives and the impact of our work.
Researchers in our country offices use a range of methods to really understand how people live, what they believe, what issues affect them, what media engages them and how. This research is shared with production teams and media partners to develop and refine strategy, programme concepts, formats and script writing.
We monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of our programmes with a range of techniques, including continuous panels, regular and experimental research, quantitative surveys and qualitative techniques. This work helps us to understand whether and how our projects are achieving impact on the development outcomes they are aiming to achieve.
Our in-depth analysis and insight, drawing on our robust research and evidence, helps shift and shape policy around the development and sustainability of public interest media, and about the role media and communication plays in international development - to inform, inspire and sustain change.
Latest research and insight stories
Inspiring future women leaders in Fiji
Our Women in Focus Fiji is advancing women’s leadership and strengthening women’s voice, visibility, and political participation
Reframing lives, restoring value
Shifting how a city sees waste pickers – from invisible and undervalued to recognized, respected, and essential
From awareness to action
How one campaign translated empathy into collective action to improve the lives of waste-pickers in Bengaluru, India
Inspiring change, shifting norms
Creative audience-focused stories can help address some of the world's most pressing challenges by inspiring people to think, feel, and act.
Sexual harassment in the media
A new study of 2,800+ media professionals across 21 countries contains revealing findings about the prevalence of sexual harassment in newsrooms
The new frontline for women and truth in the age of AI
From deepfakes to digital abuse, technology is transforming how women are targeted—and how truth is challenged
BRIDGES: Examining people's understanding of weather and climate information
How often do people check the weather forecast? Do they trust what they hear? Dive in to learn more
Shifting social norms and promoting gender equality through media
Learning and practice briefings bring our research together to show how creative thoughtful storytelling about people’s lives can help communities rethink deeply rooted norms.
