Hi #SmartCommunity friends. Welcome back to this very special series here on the Smart Community Podcast, all about data storytelling. As part of my PhD research, I’ve been speaking with experts from all over the world who are using data visualisations and storytelling in real world projects to support decision making and advocacy.
In today’s episode of the Smart Community Podcast, I’m speaking with Rocío Rodriguez Almaraz. I actually met Rocío on the Homeward Bound leadership program where we spent some time in Antarctica together. Rocío is a campaign strategist, documentary producer and project manager focused on climate change campaigns and projects, based in Argentina.
Rocío and I discuss the role and importance of data visualisation and storytelling in advocacy, strategies to use data to engage audiences and create impact, as well as the challenges faced by NGOs (non-government organisations) and small organisations in communicating effectively due to limited resources.
We talk about the need to tailor communication and data visualisations to different audiences and contexts and the ways digital tools can be used in direct community engagement. Rocío shares some examples of impactful data visualisations and their influence on decision-making and public awareness, and reflects on the complexities of measuring impact and attributing change to specific communication efforts.
We finish our chat with Rocío’s advice about using data visualisation to prioritise what’s most important to communicate. As always, we hope you enjoye listening to this episode as much as we enjoyed making it.
What we cover in this episode:
- Rocío Rodriguez Almaraz’s background in advertising, NGO communication and documentary production focused on climate change
- Her work on documentaries including “Las Locas” about a town threatened by dam construction and a Vaca Muerta fracking documentary
- How data visualisation creates mystery and curiosity to engage audiences in an attention-saturated environment
- The challenge of competing for attention with addictive content while maintaining ethical communication practices
- Resource limitations faced by NGOs and small organisations in creating professional, impactful data visualisations
- The importance of thoughtful design in establishing credibility and securing funding opportunities for small organisations
- Strategies for understanding and mapping different audience segments including local versus international perspectives
- Tailoring data presentations for different contexts – from government officials to community screenings
- Examples from advocacy work mapping fossil fuel projects within protected UNESCO areas to influence NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions)
- Creating compelling visualisations using pollution imagery instead of traditional pie charts to show environmental impact
- Using Google Earth time-lapse data to visualise the spread of oil wells across Patagonia over 25 years
- The importance of giving audiences adequate time to process and absorb impactful data rather than overwhelming them
- Challenges in measuring long-term impact and attributing change to specific communication efforts
- The role of documentary impact campaigns in creating lasting policy change, exemplified by Josh Fox’s “Gasland”
- Linking data presentations to existing government priorities and decision-making timelines
- Defining measurable impact goals beyond social media metrics to drive concrete action
Quotes:
“I think data visualisation is a very good entry point to someone who might want to learn more about the subject… we have to [think] in terms of how we can create that experience of that sort of mystery in communication.”
“The fact that you are using a good design, a thoughtful design, it will make an impact… it looks like, even though you may be a small organisation, you have what it takes to get the best out of what you’re doing.”
“Since attention is limited, we need to understand how to make a selection of what’s important and to not get people too overwhelmed… it’s more important to repeat an idea several times to reinforce it rather than adding too much information.”
“Sometimes we understand that when a friend tells you something that’s impactful, if you keep talking about it and nothing happens, you didn’t have time to process it… it’s not only about us showing specific data in a certain way, but also the time that we are dedicating for that.”
“When you are telling a story through data… I think one of the most important elements is why you’re telling this story. What of everything that you’re telling was the thing that really touched you, and how can you create the same environment or that same reaction that you had?”
Links:
Homeward Bound leadership program
Josh Fox’s “Gasland” documentary
Vaca Muerta and 350.org climate organisation
Connect:
Connect with Rocío on LinkedIn
Connect with me via email: hello@mysmart.community
Connect with My Smart Community via LinkedIn and watch on YouTube
Podcast Production by Perk Digital
This podcast is recorded on Yugarabul country and edited on Gaibal country. I pay my respects to traditional owners of country and their elders past and present. I also extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples listening today. Here on the Smart Community Podcast, we talk about data, technology, communities and the future. First Nations peoples have been sharing knowledge, caring for country, and telling stories for tens of thousands of years. I honour that deep connection of storytelling and community connection as we continue our conversation together here today.
Disclaimer
The views, opinions, and perspectives expressed by guests on The Smart Community Podcast are solely those of the individual speakers. They do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of the host, Zoe Eather, or of The Smart Community Podcast as a whole.
Any discussion of ideas, products, organisations, or services by podcast guests does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the host or the podcast. Listeners are encouraged to form their own opinions and seek professional advice where appropriate.
