In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa sits down with Jeremy Taylor, Chief Research and Evaluation Officer at The Possible Zone. Together, they explore how social-emotional learning (SEL) and STEM education intersect with cutting-edge data collection, unpacking why surveys still matter, but also why they're not enough, especially when you're trying to measure complex skills, teamwork, and problem-solving.

What You’ll Learn:

How to blend traditional surveys with behavioral data collection for more accurate measurement of student developmentWhy certain social-emotional competencies are better measured through surveys, while others require behavioral ob...

If you think expertise alone rules the technical training game, you’ve got it all wrong! In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa sits down with Maulik Chauhan, Founder of Trestle Research and India Lead at SurveyCTO, to understand what it really takes to drive successful digital transformation. Together, they explore the crucial elements of training teams for digital data collection. From practical strategies for teams with varying tech proficiency to creating effective training approaches through empathy, gradual learning paths, and organizational preparation, this episode is the guide you need if you’re looking to b...

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa is joined by Dr. Mark Pagell, Professor of Sustainable Supply Chain Management at the University College Dublin. Together, they share how adopting a people-centric approach transforms data collection within sustainable supply chains, challenging traditional models that prioritize economic growth over social and ecological well-being.

What You’ll Learn:

How to shift from traditional manager-focused data collection to capturing worker and community perspectivesWhy mixing methodologies is crucial for understanding social impactsThe creative sampling" approach to finding and studying innovative, sustainable business modelsHow to leverage pa...

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa is joined by Douglas Johnson, a Senior Statistician on the Technical Team at IDinsight. Together, they share groundbreaking approaches to survey sampling that balance rigor with cost-effectiveness, especially in regions where traditional census data is unavailable or unreliable.

What You’ll Learn:

How traditional sampling methods like the "right-hand rule" fall short in delivering replicable, unbiased resultsWhy satellite imagery and rooftop data are transforming household survey sampling methodologyThe practical implementation of rooftop sampling and how it improves upon conventional approachesHow grid-based sampling works an...

In this special episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa is joined by SurveyCTO’s Business Development Manager, Maria Pervova, and Associate Account Executive Catherine Kendall. Together, the three navigate insights coming from the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development (DIHAD) Conference & Exhibition in Dubai, a leading event on humanitarian aid and development. This year’s theme, "Humanitarian Aid and Development in a Polarised World," sparked powerful conversations and left us thinking deeply about the role of data, collaboration, and innovation in humanitarian work.

What You’ll Learn:

Why digital transformation remains a cruc...

In this greatest hits episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa is joined by Maulik Chauhan, Founder and Managing Director of Trestle Research. They dive into the importance of digitizing data, the challenges and benefits of transitioning from paper-based to digital data collection methods, and what it takes to smoothly transition to digital data collection.

As the India Lead for SurveyCTO, Maulik drives the platform's growth nationwide, helping organizations shift to digital data collection methods that improve accuracy and reliability. With over a decade of experience in data collection and analysis, Maulik previously worked...

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa is joined by Dr. Angela R. Pashayan, an expert in International Development, Experiential learning, Leading International trips, and Intercultural Communication. Together, they explore the ethics of field research in vulnerable communities. Drawing from her work in Nairobi, Kenya,, Dr. Pashayan shares valuable insights on navigating unexpected challenges in data collection, adapting research methodologies to local contexts, and preparing university students for the challenges and opportunities of fieldwork.

Dr. Pashayan is an Adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a Visiting...

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa goes solo to address the most pressing questions from over 700 SurveyCTO users about crafting effective survey questions, from avoiding bias to ensuring cultural relevance.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa is joined by Dr. James O'Donovan & Dickson Mbewe, who represent the Community Health Impact Coalition. Together, they dissect a recent study that shines a blaring spotlight on the lack of fair recognition of community health workers’ contributions to data collection, research and academia in global health studies, the systemic inequities this community faces, and the undeniable need for upskilling and professional growth opportunities for community health workers. 

From data-driven insights to personal experiences that add nuance to the conversation around the fair representation of community hea...

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa is joined by Amelia Burke-Garcia, Director of the Center for Health Communication Science at NORC at the University of Chicago, to dive into the transformative role of data in health communication, the integration of AI in messaging, and the importance of inclusivity in public health campaigns.

Amelia is an award-winning expert in health communication who has led groundbreaking campaigns tackling critical issues like vaccine hesitancy and health equity, as well as a thought leader in integrating innovative tools like AI into health messaging. She’s al...

In this special Christmas episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa shares key insights from our guests about the transformative role of data in empowering communities and driving impactful change, featuring Paul Nzerebende, Maulik Chauhan, Andrew Gerhardt, Lara Mikhail, Mohammad Malik, and Yahya Hussein.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa is joined by Yahya Hussein, Digital Programmes Advisor for Oxfam, to explore innovative digital tools that empower marginalized communities. They dive into how Oxfam is empowering communities through bottom-up accountability, challenges and innovations in implementing bottom-up accountability systems, and the future of community-led data systems.

Yahya is a dedicated expert in monitoring, evaluation, and learning across international development. He has over a decade of experience in regions like Iraq, Sudan, and Kurdistan to empower communities through data-driven solutions. From humanitarian aid to corporate social responsibility...

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa is joined by Mohammad Malik, a Managing Partner for Research Solutions, to explore the exciting transformation of data collection practices in Pakistan. Mohammad shares how shifting from traditional paper methods to digital tools has revolutionized their work, the role of AI in streamlining data processes, and how digital data collection is revolutionizing field research in remote areas.

Mohammad is a recognized leader in digital data collection in Pakistan. Holding a Master's in Economics from NYU, he brings nearly a decade of experience at the Institute...

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa is joined by Lara Mikhail, Senior Officer of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) at USAID Egyptian Pioneers. Lara is an experienced and certified Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) practitioner, with a demonstrated history of working on various projects in the development sector in Egypt. She has proven expertise in data collection, analysis, dissemination, and presentation. Lara is also skilled in the development of M&E frameworks and strategies, as well as in using multiple M&E tools and creating effective reporting mechanisms to ensure the efficient...

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa interviews Andrew Gerhardt, Senior Digital Data Collection Manager at Loop Horizon. Andrew shares his 14-year journey in digital analytics, offering insights on data quality, privacy compliance, and integrating fragmented data. He discusses best practices for data governance, the challenges of imperfect data, and balancing personalization with privacy. Andrew also emphasizes the importance of quality assurance and collaboration, drawing from his experience across various industries.
Andrew Gerhardt is the Senior Digital Data Collection Manager at Loop Horizon, where he leverages over 14 years of experience in digital analytics...

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa is joined by Maulik Chauhan, Founder and Managing Director of Trestle Research. They dive into the importance of digitizing data, the challenges and benefits of transitioning from paper-based to digital data collection methods, and what it takes to smoothly transition to digital data collection.

As the India Lead for SurveyCTO, Maulik drives the platform's growth nationwide, helping organizations shift to digital data collection methods that improve accuracy and reliability. With over a decade of experience in data collection and analysis, Maulik previously worked as a...

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa is joined by Paul Nzerebende,  Decision Support Analyst at the Human Trafficking Institute in Uganda. Paul discusses his work using data to combat human trafficking, optimize systems, and promote sustainable growth. He emphasizes the value of storytelling, success stories, and effective dashboards in presenting impactful data. Paul also highlights the transition from paper to digital systems and the importance of ongoing skill development.

As a Decision Support Analyst, Paul manages data systems and provides data-driven insights to guide his leadership team, shape strategic decisions, and f...

Welcome to Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, where we connect with professionals and organizations involved in data collection. Listen in as we discuss innovative methods and tools that can significantly enhance data quality and security, demystify complex data collection concepts, and highlight the many ways that organizations today are involved in data collection–sometimes, without even calling it “data collection”. With your host, Marta Costa, we feature in-depth interviews with experts in international development, healthcare, agriculture, and supply chain research, foregrounding real-life experiences, challenges, and strategies for improving data collection.