Changing food perceptions
Last updated
Last updated
In order to better understand the current situation and context, we were tasked with mapping the actual actants and agents involved in our project. This in order to understand the full picture of what we are able to intervene or take into consideration when talking about transforming this alternative present we're building into an emergent future.
Here's the map I developed:
By doing this exercise I was able to actually identify the involved community or group of people to whom I could direct my research. At first, I thought my project concerned all of humanity because we all eat, but that resulted in a way too broad narrative that I could adopt. By focusing only on unhealthy people, I was able to narrow down what I wanted to communicate and obtain a direction in which to point.
Our current understanding of the gut microbiome often isolates it as a personal health issue, disconnected from wider societal impacts. To truly transform this perception, we need a shift that moves from individual awareness to collective understanding. This theory of change outlines the steps required to establish the gut microbiome as a key factor in social interactions and overall community well-being, moving us towards a future where gut health is recognized as a vital component of a thriving society.
Theory of Change Breakdown:
1. Immediate Outcomes (Short-Term):
Increased Awareness:
Action: Launch public awareness campaigns using accessible language and visuals.
Example: Interactive online content, community workshops, and accessible educational materials.
Result: More people understand the basic connection between food, gut health, and mood.
Accessible Information:
Action: Create easily digestible information about gut health through various media.
Example: Short documentaries, social media infographics, and user-friendly apps.
Result: People have access to reliable information without needing a scientific background.
Personal Connection:
Action: Encourage people to reflect on their own food choices and gut experiences.
Example: Food journaling, guided meditations focusing on gut sensations, and personal storytelling.
Result: Individuals begin to connect their personal experiences to their gut health.
2. Intermediate Outcomes (Mid-Term):
Social Dialogue:
Action: Facilitate public discussions about the social implications of gut health.
Example: Community forums, online discussions, and art installations that provoke thought.
Result: Gut health becomes a topic of everyday conversation.
Behavioral Shifts:
Action: Promote healthier food choices and lifestyle habits that support gut health.
Example: Community gardens, cooking classes, and partnerships with local restaurants.
Result: People begin to make small but significant changes in their daily routines.
Policy Awareness:
Action: Advocate for policies that support gut health, such as access to healthy food and restrictions on processed food marketing.
Example: Lobbying efforts, public petitions, and collaborations with policymakers.
Result: Policy makers begin to consider the gut's health when creating new laws.
3. Long-Term Outcomes (Future Vision):
Societal Recognition:
Action: Integrate gut health into public health initiatives and educational curricula.
Example: Mandatory gut health education in schools, public health campaigns, and integration of gut health into medical practices.
Result: Gut health is recognized as a fundamental aspect of individual and societal well-being.
Community Well-being:
Action: Foster communities where gut health is prioritized and supported.
Example: Community-supported agriculture, food co-ops, and social programs that promote healthy eating.
Result: Communities experience improved mental and physical health, stronger social bonds, and increased resilience.
Cultural Transformation:
Action: Shift cultural norms towards valuing whole foods, mindful eating, and gut-friendly lifestyles.
Example: Media portrayals of healthy eating, celebration of traditional food practices, and a decline in the consumption of processed foods.
Result: A society where gut health is deeply ingrained in cultural values and practices.
Key Strategies:
Collaboration: Partner with scientists, healthcare professionals, educators, and community leaders.
Storytelling: Use personal narratives and compelling visuals to make the issue relatable.
Empowerment: Provide people with the tools and resources they need to take control of their gut health.
Systems Thinking: Recognize the interconnectedness of food systems, social factors, and individual health.
By following this theory of change, we can move towards a future where the gut microbiome is recognized as a crucial factor in individual and societal well-being.
