A huge thank you to our brilliant research clinic team: Aisha Naik, Anya Yu, Luisa Bernhardt, and Lidia Faria Braz de Carvalho, and to Sanjana Setty, Research Officer on the REFLoC project, who leads the clinic.
The REFLoC project has set forward a 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰, that has been making impressive progress as our undergraduate researchers work collaboratively to develop the hashtag𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗟𝗼𝗖 𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗽 𝗠𝗮𝗽 (hashtag𝗘𝗚𝗠), which is a visual tool that systematically shows where academic evidence exists (and where it is missing) on the topic of resilience and wellbeing of forest dependent communities as they face external shocks.
The students developed an Evidence Gap Map which help community members, researchers, and policymakers understand the state of the evidence and identify priorities for future research. The map is one of its kind, showing research across different research methods, geographic focus, and types or research.
Over the past 4 month, our student team has been involved in the full process of evidence mapping. Their work has include:
🔎 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵
Screening and analysing articles to determine their relevance for the EGM.
🧩 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘅
Helping build the conceptual framework that structures the map’s categories.
💻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗣𝗣𝗜 𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲
Developing technical skills in data management, coding, and visualisation using EPPI-Reviewer and EPPI-Mapper softwares.
📊 𝗣𝗲𝗲𝗿-𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀
Ensuring accuracy and consistency by cross-checking each other’s coding.
🌐 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗽 𝗠𝗮𝗽
Developing the codes into an interactive map that highlights where evidence is strong, limited, or missing across different methods and geographic regions.
This process has equipped students with a wide range of research skills. Through a hands-on learning environment the students engage directly with a research project as part of their coursework. This helps them gain strong insight into the challenges faced by forest-dependent communities.
Their dedication, and enthusiasm are driving this project forward. We are excited to share more updates as the Evidence Gap Map takes shape.
Stay tuned for further insights from the REFLoC project!
