Visualizing our research in Haiti

One of my favourite websites is Our World in Data (click here) which does an incredible job in helping us visualize data. Hans Rosling, who can be considered the father of this type of work, gave a great TED Talk which can be viewed here (click here). It has been watched nearly 12 million times and I include it as an activity that my students complete in one of my courses.

There is something powerful about being able to "see" data. Statistics (and statistical measures) can seem dry and boring. However, when we put statistics and other forms of data into picture form it can make them more accessible.

We are currently engaged in a number of research projects in Haiti. One of our tasks is to work at depicting what these projects "look like". We also need to mobilize the results of these studies so that the data does not just sit in research reports but is helpful for those who are engaged in the day-to-day work of improving classroom experiences for students.

To start with, here is a very early depiction of the on-going and emerging research projects we are engaged with in Haiti (as well as one project that is under consideration). It is important to have a research "pipeline" so that our work builds on previously completed projects and leads to new questions and ideas. I have already published multiple journal articles and book chapters on previous research projects (e.g., case studies of innovative school leadership, digital professional learning).

I will be curious as to how this visualization changes over the months ahead; another example of  the ways in which research is organic and living.