15. Communicating Model Findings
Overview
This module focuses on communicating modelling findings clearly, accurately, and strategically to different audiences. Participants explore how to translate complex technical information into accessible messages that support policy and programme decisions, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement.
By the end of this module, participants should be able to:
Understand good practices for communicating model findings
Demonstrate how model communication can be tailored to different audiences
Identify what tools and formats best support clear and impactful messaging
Audience-centred communication
Translating technical findings into actionable messages
Storytelling with data and evidence
Communicating assumptions and uncertainty
Policy briefs, presentations, and visual summaries
Delivery Plan
This module consists of a single 2-hour session, with a mix of group exercise, discussion, and presentations.
| Topic | Description | Duration | Format |
| Group Exercise and Discussion | Who are potential audiences for preliminary and final results? What formats are most appropriate for each audience? |
30 min | Small group discussion with feedback |
| Good Practices for Communication | Good practices and principles for communicating model findings | 30 min | Presentation |
| Group Discussion: Experiences | What has been your experience (good or bad) with technical research being communicated in a decision-making setting? | 20 min | Group discussion (plenary) |
| Communications and Engagement | Preferred approaches and best practices for engaging with modellers | 30 min | Presentation and group discussion (plenary) |
| Reflection and Wrap-Up | Key takeaways Application for Capstone Projects |
10 min | Presentation |
Practical Exercise
Exercise Title: Communicating Findings for Different Audiences
Note: We start this session with a group exercise to stimulation discussion before moving on to principles and good practice.
Exercise Instructions:
Scenario: It’s a year from now and the Capstone Projects have been conducted. The model findings are ready to present.
In country teams, fellows discuss:
Who are the potential audiences? At what points in the project/modelling process have you engaged each of them?
Who have you discussed the preliminary findings with?
Who will you present the final results/findings with?
What is the purpose of communicating findings to each of these audiences/stakeholders? What action do you hope will emerge from the engagement?
Complete the audience-matrix template by considering:
For each audience, what is the ideal approach (e.g. format, duration, setting, practicalities/formalities involved)?
How valuable do you think each format is for each audience (low, medium, high)?
What practical considerations should be taken into account?
Discussion Questions for Engaging with Modellers:
At what stage of the decision-making cycle would you prefer to engage with modellers (problem definition, data collection, model building, interpretation, dissemination)?
How often would you like to interact with the modelling team (one-off workshop, regular briefings, embedded collaboration)?
What formats of engagement do you find most effective — technical workshops, short policy dialogues, dashboards, written briefs, or joint scenario discussions?
Would you prefer that models are co-developed (you contribute to assumptions and scenarios) or mainly reviewed once results are ready?
How can the process best fit your institutional constraints (e.g., time, staff availability, decision timelines)?
How can you build local capacity during this process?
Facilitator Guidance
Encourage concise, action-oriented messaging
Reinforce that communication should focus on decisions and implications
Highlight the importance of tailoring communication to audience needs
Materials and Resources
Example policy briefs and presentations
Format-audience matrix exercise
Facilitator slides