Inspired by a recent project, I wanted to jot down some ideas for how consultants and implementing partners can learn more about their contexts – or to use our jargon, scan it.

1. Conducting research: To identify key trends, challenges, and opportunities through academic literature, policy documents, and other relevant materials to gain a deeper understanding of the issues at hand. You may also wish to reach out to other implementers and partner organisations, read their materials, and do a preliminary desk review to identify important topics for further investigation.

2. Engage diverse groups of people: Especially from your communities. Participatory, feminist, and inclusive approaches require a deep engagement, so this is a good chance to get to know more about what marginalisation looks like in your context, and who the important communities for you would be. Ideally, involve them in all stages of the scanning process, including identifying research questions, data collection, and analysis.

3. Attending conferences and events: To learn about the latest developments, network with other professionals, and share ideas. This can be a great way to stay up-to-date on emerging trends, and learn in person about strategies and approaches you should consider in your work.

4. Networking with peers: Goes without saying, but professional associations, networking events, and social media – especially LinkedIn – are great ways to learn from other practitioners or consultants in your communities. Search for people and events with unique specialisations, like feminist networks, to learn more from local experts and possibly work with them. If you are an implementer interested in a new topic, reaching out to build relationships means you could also find organisations to apply for funding with, and combine your strengths.

5. Monitoring news and social media: Keeping track of news and social media can provide insights into emerging trends and issues. Set up Goog;e alerts, or use social media monitoring platforms to stay informed about relevant news and conversations.

6. Use participatory research methods: Participatory research methods involve involving different groups in the research process, from identifying research questions to analyzing data and developing recommendations. These methods can include focus groups, participatory mapping, participatory action research, and other techniques that enable people to contribute their knowledge and insights.

7. Adopt feminist principles: Based on what you uncover from your desk research and network, incorporate a localised gender analysis into the research, prioritizing the voices and perspectives of women and girls in your communities. Think about other marginalised groups and how they fit in the context, and what they would therefore need from your work. This will help ensure fuller participation.

What else have you tried, and what success have you had? There’s a pretty limitless list of things to do, but starting with this wide base allows you to learn more about how different people experience lives in the context you work in, to paint a better picture of needs and your place in the ecosystem. Hope this is helpful!