Guidance for Success Stories
Contribute to Our Blog: How Research Transforms Education on the Ground
Dear Researchers, Educators, and Practitioners,
The EduLens Africa blog is a platform for demonstrating the real power of evidence. We are seeking compelling stories that showcase how your work or experience has demonstrated how research or evidence transformed education on the ground.
These “Transformation Stories” will inspire, inform, and highlight the crucial link between robust evidence and tangible, positive change in African education.
Guidance for Your “Transformation Story”
IMPORTANT: Submit Your Pitch First!
We operate a two-step submission process to ensure your story aligns perfectly with our blog’s focus and helps you save time. Please read the full guidelines below, but start by sending us a brief pitch.
Step 1: Your Initial Pitch (What to Send First)
To begin, please send us a brief overview of your proposed story. This allows us to quickly assess its fit for the blog and provide early feedback.
Your Pitch Should Include:
A catchy, provisional title for your blog post.
A concise summary outlining:
The educational challenge addressed.
The specific research or evidence used.
The tangible transformation achieved on the ground.
1-2 main lessons readers will learn from your story.
A brief introduction to yourself.
Any thoughts on photos or graphics you might have to accompany the story.
Step 2: Full Story Guidelines (For Accepted Pitches Only)
If your pitch is accepted, we will invite you to submit the full “Transformation Story”
following these guidelines. Please ensure your full story directly addresses these points:
1. The Educational Challenge:
- What specific challenge or critical issue in education were you addressing on the ground? (e.g., “Poor learning outcomes in early primary literacy,” “High dropout rates in vocational training,” “Inequitable access to technology in schools”).
(e.g., "Poor learning outcomes in early primary literacy," "High dropout rates in vocational training," "Inequitable access to technology in schools").
2. The Research or Evidence Used:
- What specific research findings, data, or evidence did you leverage? (e.g., “Findings from a recent impact evaluation,” “Longitudinal study on teacher effectiveness,” “Community needs assessment data,” “Action research conducted within a specific school district”). Briefly describe the core insight this evidence provided.
(e.g., "Findings from a recent impact evaluation," "Longitudinal study on teacher effectiveness," "Community needs assessment data," "Action research conducted within a specific school district"). Briefly describe the core insight this evidence provided.
3. The Transformation Process:
- How was this research or evidence specifically applied or implemented to transform education on the ground?
- What new strategies, interventions, or approaches were introduced directly
because of this evidence? - Who were the key actors involved in implementing these changes (e.g.,
teachers, school leaders, community members, local government)? - What specific actions were taken based on the evidence?
- What new strategies, interventions, or approaches were introduced directly
How was this research or evidence specifically applied or implemented to transform education on the ground?
What new strategies, interventions, or approaches were introduced directly
because of this evidence?
Who were the key actors involved in implementing these changes (e.g.,
teachers, school leaders, community members, local government)?
What specific actions were taken based on the evidence?
4. The Demonstrated Transformation & Impact:
- What tangible, measurable transformation occurred in education on the ground as a direct result of applying this research or evidence? Be as specific as possible.
- Did learning outcomes improve (e.g., “literacy scores increased by X%”)?
- Did enrollment rates change?
- Was a specific policy or practice fundamentally altered and, if so, how?
- Did teaching methodologies measurably improve?
- Did community engagement with schools significantly change?
- How did you demonstrate or measure this transformation? (e.g., “Pre- and post- intervention test results,” “Improved attendance records,” “Qualitative feedback from educators/students,” “Policy adoption documents”).
Be as specific as possible.
Did learning outcomes improve (e.g., "literacy scores increased by X%")?
Did enrollment rates change?
Was a specific policy or practice fundamentally altered and, if so, how?
Did teaching methodologies measurably improve?
Did community engagement with schools significantly change?
(e.g., "Pre- and post- intervention test results," "Improved attendance records," "Qualitative feedback from educators/students," "Policy adoption documents").
5. Key Learnings & Future Outlook:
- What were the most important lessons learned from this experience of using
evidence to drive transformation? - What is the ongoing impact, or what are the next steps for this transformative
work?
What were the most important lessons learned from this experience of using evidence to drive transformation?
What is the ongoing impact, or what are the next steps for this transformative
work?
6. (Optional) A Powerful Quote:
- Can you sum up your experience or the impact of your work in one concise, memorable sentence?
Can you sum up your experience or the impact of your work in one concise, memorable sentence?
Tips for a Compelling Blog Post:
- Be Evidence-Driven: Clearly articulate the link between the research/evidence and the change.
- Focus on the “How”: Detail the steps taken to apply the evidence and achieve transformation.
- Concrete & Specific: Provide examples, numbers, or specific anecdotes where possible to illustrate the impact.
- Accessible Language: Write for a diverse audience (researchers, policymakers, educators, community members). Avoid heavy academic jargon.
- Concise Length: Aim for 600-1000 words.
- High-Quality Visuals (Highly Encouraged!): If possible, include compelling images (with captions and photo credits!) that illustrate your research or the transformation (e.g., photos of project activities, charts of results, transformed learning environments). Please ensure you have permission to use them.
Clearly articulate the link between the research/evidence and the change.
Detail the steps taken to apply the evidence and achieve transformation.
Provide examples, numbers, or specific anecdotes where possible to illustrate the impact.
Write for a diverse audience (researchers, policymakers, educators, community members). Avoid heavy academic jargon.
Aim for 600-1000 words.
If possible, include compelling images (with captions and photo credits!) that illustrate your research or the transformation (e.g., photos of project activities, charts of results, transformed learning environments). Please ensure you have permission to use them.
How to Submit Your “Transformation Story”:
How to Submit Your Story:
- For Pitches: Please email your brief pitch to: stories@edulensafrica.org. In the subject line, use: “Blog Pitch: Transformation Story – [Your Name]”. We will review your pitch and respond within 5-7 business days.
- For Full Stories (by invitation): If your pitch is accepted, please email your full submission (ideally in a Word document) and any accompanying images to the same address.
- Include: For the full story, please also provide a short bio (2-3 sentences) and a professional headshot of yourself.
Please email your brief pitch to: stories@edulensafrica.org. In the subject line, use: "Blog Pitch: Transformation Story - [Your Name]". We will review your pitch and respond within 5-7 business days.
If your pitch is accepted, please email your full submission (ideally in a Word document) and any accompanying images to the same address.
For the full story, please also provide a short bio (2-3 sentences) and a professional headshot of yourself.
We eagerly await your inspiring stories of how evidence is reshaping education!
