Framing Study Circles
FrameWorks Institute’s Strategic Frame Analysis™ Study Circles are designed to integrate in-depth exploration of FrameWorks' extensive research on specific social issues with intensive, hands-on skill-building. Our field experience strongly suggests that, by developing fluency in a common language to effect meaningful change, policy advocates and experts will advance their own organizational agendas and, at the same time, move beyond their traditional silos to collaborate on sustainable solutions to the challenges facing our communities. Utilizing a coordinated curriculum and targeted assignments, FrameWorks staff works with groups of advocates – single or multi-disciplinary – to enhance their understanding of and ability to use Strategic Frame Analysis™. These Study Circles build upon the extensive practice of the FrameWorks Institute in interacting with front-line field advocates and policy experts.
The History of Study Circles: Building a Community of Framers
FrameWorks’ Strategic Frame Analysis™ Study Circles began in 2007 in Massachusetts, where our first study circle on youth development experts and advocates convened to address the challenges in framing youth issues. In 2008, we launched three unique Study Circles on different areas of our research in three states: Maine, North Carolina and South Carolina.
In Maine, the non-profit organization Engage Maine convened a diverse group of issue advocates – from health care, to women’s issues, to economic policy – to focus on reframing Government. The six-month long Study Circle curriculum was designed to give advocates the tools they needed to advance more productive themes in their messaging about the public role in solutions to social problems.
In North Carolina, Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina convened a group of child advocates to focus on reframing Early Childhood Development. Since the Study Circle ended, the group continues to work together on a plan for sustaining the lessons and strategies learned through the course of the Study Circle.
In South Carolina, the Mary Black Foundation convened child advocates and experts to focus on reframing Early Childhood Development. At the end of the eight-month Study Circle, participants were able to integrate framing methods into their work and practice, and continue to meet as a group to discuss framing and their communications challenges.
For more information about Study Circles, please contact Lynn Davey at ldavey@frameworksinstitute.org.
