Module I: Understand

Introduce the fundamental concepts of behavioural science.

What is Module I?

This module introduces foundational concepts in behavioural science, helping you identify and clearly define the behavioural challenges faced in conservation initiatives. You’ll gain practical skills in exploratory qualitative research methods, learn how to map behavioural barriers and opportunities, and understand how to effectively advocate internally within your organization. The sessions combine presentations and practical worksheets to guide you in creating actionable plans based on behavioural insights.

Objectives

  • Introduce the fundamental concepts of behavioural science.
  • Identify the key behavioural challenges faced trying to shift conservation-related behaviours.
  • Equip you with foundational skills in exploratory qualitative research methods.
  • Develop practical behavioural mapping skills to understand the barriers and levers to behaviour change.

Session breakdown

What is Behavioural Science?

What is behavioural science?

Behavioural science provides essential tools to understand why people act the way they do. We recommend completing this session first to establish a strong foundational understanding essential for subsequent activities.
Presentation

This presentation introduces you to the core concepts, theories, and frameworks of behavioural science. You’ll learn a bit about Busara, and how we leverage behavioural insights to address challenges. We will also discuss why human behaviour matters in designing effective interventions.

A cross-sectoral and risk-informed approach

AUDAS – The Busara approach

Organisations often struggle with clearly structuring their approach to applying behavioural insights. This session will help you understand how you might apply behavioural science to your program.

Presentation

In this presentation you will explore Busara’s AUDAS framework (Align, Understand, Design, Apply, Scale), focusing specifically on the initial alignment and understanding phases. Real-world examples from Busara’s work with ReNOKA will illustrate how this structured approach has successfully facilitated behavioural insights and interventions in practical settings.

A cross-sectoral and risk-informed approach

Exploratory research methods

Choosing the right research methods and formulating effective research questions can be challenging. This session is key to ensuring your research efforts yield insightful, actionable data.

Presentation

This presentation provides an overview of the essential qualitative research methods and guides you in selecting the appropriate research method and questions for your program.

Worksheet

*This worksheet helps you develop actionable research plans tailored to your program’s needs. Completing it is key to ensuring your research efforts yield insightful, actionable data.

A cross-sectoral and risk-informed approach

Behavioural mapping

Understanding the detailed barriers and opportunities to behaviour change is often complex. Completing this session equips you with a clear visualization of your program’s behavioural landscape.

Presentation

This presentation provides an overview of practical behavioural mapping techniques to visualize and organize key behavioural levers and barriers using a case study from Integrated Catchment Management (ICM).

Worksheet

*This worksheet provides a framework for understanding key stakeholders of your program by generating personas for each key actor whose behaviour you are trying to change (eg: farmers, herders, community elders etc.).

Worksheet

This worksheet helps you think through the steps key stakeholders need to take in order to change their harmful behaviours, identify the barriers to the behaviour change, and pinpoint the opportunities for intervention.

A cross-sectoral and risk-informed approach

Internal advocacy

Effective internal advocacy is critical to getting buy-in for behavioral science strategies. This session helps ensure your efforts are supported and sustained within your organization.

Presentation

This presentation outlines strategies and tools to effectively communicate your behavioral research and intervention plans within your organization.

Worksheet

This worksheet helps you plan and prepare for key internal advocacy moments.

A cross-sectoral and risk-informed approach

Module I: Understand – Action plan

Transitioning from ideas to actionable steps often presents a challenge. We strongly recommend completing this session to create a practical roadmap, and following through on the plans you create before moving on to the next session.

Worksheet

*This worksheet guides you in developing detailed, actionable plans for immediate next steps. You’ll identify key stakeholders, required resources, and clearly outline how you’ll incorporate behavioural insights into your ongoing work.