Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Learning Group:
This group explores ways that GenAI and NLP can support behavior change efforts with a focus on if and how GenAI Chatbots can support SBCC and the MERL of SBCC, The Group also works to test or showcase results of different approaches, explore and compare cost-effectiveness and impact, and develop and implement a research agenda in the area of SBCC and NLP/GenAI.
Meet the co-leads
Currently, the SBC Learning Group at MERL Tech CoP is co-led by Nicola Harford and Sarah Osman.
Sarah Osman is a cognitive psychologist and strategic consultant. Over the past 20 years, Sarah has embedded behavioural science into high-stakes initiatives across public health systems, social protection programmes, grant-making strategies, and organisational change, working with multilateral agencies, INGOs, foundations, and impact ventures across four continents.
Nicola Harford is a media and communications for development practitioner and researcher; experienced in advising, designing, managing and evaluating social and behavioural change programmes for public health (including sexual and reproductive health, family planning, HIV/AIDS), governance, natural resources and gender equity. She has extensive experience in radio, as well as print, video, and online/digital media; recent work uses digital analytics and AI approaches (NLP and LLMs) to facilitate audience segmentation, data collection, analysis and learning. Nicola is Managing Director at iMedia, overseeing finances and operations, developing new business, liaising with clients and associates, and supervising projects as well as conducting consulting assignments.
Become a member!
Membership is free! To become a member of MERL Tech CoP, fill in this form indicating your agreement and alignment with the CoP Charter and Code of Conduct.