Under the guidance of Humanitarian Collaborative Co-Director Kirsten Gelsdorf and Practitioner Fellows Kate Katch and Jule Voss, students Cosette Cordova (BA), Lara Howell (BA), and Sanjana Jaiswal (BA) have been advancing the power of data and storytelling to drive more effective humanitarian action. Their work focuses on translating complex information into accessible, impactful narratives that elevate community voices and strengthen humanitarian outcomes.

The team  partnered with the UN OCHA’s Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX) and Sauti East Africa to craft an impact story showcasing how open, verified data empowers communities. With growing crises, HDX makes crucial data free and accessible for both global NGOs and local groups. Sauti uses HDX to inform East African communities directly via SMS, USSD, and WhatsApp, enabling women entrepreneurs and frontline workers to make informed decisions without needing internet access. The story highlights how reliable data can improve humanitairan action at every level. 

Furthermore, the team also worked with Movement in Refugee (MiR) to enhance their storytelling capacity. After surveying MiR’s audience and analyzing responses, the team created a tailored storytelling roadmap, including a research brief, a social media toolkit, and a template for story gathering and telling, to help MiR engage donors and volunteers while capturing the transformative impact of sports on refugee communities. Their findings were presented directly to the organization’s founders and CEO, equipping MiR with tools to strengthen its narrative and amplify its reach.