Translating data into narratives

Designing semantic interpretations for reflexive policy practices

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4013/sdrj.2022.153.09

Abstract

Today more than ever, it is evident the role that data can play when designing policies. Not only can understandable data orient better strategies, but they can also enable reflexive practices within Public Administrations, giving directions for knowledge management and smarter governance. However, multiple gaps concur to affect data understanding and interpretation, hindering their subsequent translation into policy-valuable information. To tackle challenges related to data interpretation and usage, the article (i) illustrates a narrative approach for building profiles of cities as narrative feedback from sets of data and (ii) investigates their potential as a (self-)evaluation and a decision-making support device. The feedback structure relies on the conceptual model built for the DIGISER Project, which investigated multidimensional digital transition processes across European cities. Dynamic feedback retrieves data from the project dataset, translating them into discursive form. The effectiveness of the approach and its device is validated through a qualitative enquiry on a textual excerpt provided to three different departments of one of the cities that participated in the survey. The study corroborates that designing narrative feedback as semantic interpretations can trigger understanding, (self-)reflection and support policy change, informing policy formulation and facilitating cross-silo interactions across administrative units engaged in digital transformation processes.

Author Biographies

Ilaria Mariani, Politecnico di Milano, Department of Design

Ilaria Mariani, Ph.D. in Design, Researcher at the Department of Design of the Politecnico di Milano. Her research addresses complex interactive systems for communication and speculation, social change and innovation, focusing on comprehending their impact on users. Her expertise extends to design-driven social innovation in the public sector, investigating the ability of design to support processes of digital transformation, organisational change, and policy-making. On these topics, she participates in national and European projects.

Irene Bianchi, Politecnico di Milano, Department of Architecture and Urban Studies

Irene Bianchi, Ph.D. in Urban Planning, Design and Policy, is Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies, Politecnico di Milano. She carried out research activities at TU Berlin and at the University IUAV of Venice. Her research interests focus on the interplay between urban dynamics and policy action in sustainability transition processes. Her research focus develops around the analysis of governance transformation, with a focus on social learning and policy innovation.

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Published

2023-10-16

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 3 (22): Sep/Dec

Section

Articles

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