How do we frame important conversations so that everyone can live and love free from fear, discrimination and exclusion?
How do we counter the harmful narratives and disinformation that frequently dominate public discourse?
How can we create messaging that will cut through the noise to change hearts and minds?
These are just a few of the knotty questions we want to answer through The Comms Lab.
Communications has always been central to creating social change. Good comms is about so much more than just a social media post or a press release - it is the golden thread that runs through every organisation and institution.
We know how storytelling, common beliefs and mental shortcuts can build trust and loyalty and influence attitudes and behaviours – we’ve seen governments, businesses and charities sell us ideas, policies, laws, products and services.
When so much is at stake, it’s essential we spend our time, energy and money on communications activities that are going to work.
The Comms Lab from Agenda combines academic research with expert insight and audience testing to create bold, effective evidence-based communications.
Understanding the brain: If we want to change hearts and minds, we must acknowledge how the brain works. We work with neuroscientists and psychologists to understand more about the cognitive functions that influence attitudes, behaviours and our ability to accept and act on new information.
Academic research: We use research and sometimes conduct our own to identify the key insights that can take comms strategies, narratives, and campaigns to the next level. This research covers a range of issues, from public attitudes and beliefs to political and media discourse analysis to tried-and-tested ways to create behaviour change and much more.
Lived experience: We find people with lived experience, of working in and holding to account, a range of sectors, so we get a diverse range of insights and ideas to help us find new ways to tackle old challenges – from politicians to activists; public sector workers; business leaders to coaches; journalists to creatives and more.
User testing: We work with experts in polling, focus groups and UX to test ideas before rolling out to a wider audience.
The Comms Lab in action
Some of our recent projects have offered answers to questions such as:
“How can we use narrative to help men in fundraising become better allies in dismantling patriarchal structures?”
“How can we use communications to help high-achieving young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds access the same opportunities and networks that are available to their better-off peers?”
“How do we talk about the need to decolonise aid with the public in a way that is understandable, relatable and will create buy-in while also increasing donations?”
“What can we do to change the way that the media and politicians use harmful and inaccurate narratives about the communities we serve?”
Is The Comms Lab for you?
Do you want to create highly persuasive messaging that resonates with your target audiences?
Do you want to counter harmful and dehumanising narratives about the communities you serve?
Do you want to ensure public support for difficult action your organisation is about to take?
Do you want your next communications strategy or campaign to be grounded in evidence rather than opinion?
If the answer is yes to any of the questions above, The Comms Lab could help. Why not fix a chat with Becky Slack to find out more?