Laurel Felt

About Laurel Felt

As a leader, researcher, and learning designer, I translate big ideas into powerful…

Experience

1. Research Director

   Ong Raes

   Sep 2023 — Present · Dakar, SN

   I lead the OASIS Center, a research-and-action hub headquartered in Africa. Our mission is to empower partners in Africa and beyond with the world’s best talent and most promising approaches for unlocking the power of socially impactful storytelling. Our research solutions and liaison services include: one-of-a-kind datasets; innovative methods and metrics; actionable insights; practical tools and trainings; matchmaking support; and brokering assistance. Collectively, our contributions support the production of stories that drive engagement, catalyze change, and accelerate societal shifts towards equity and justice.As Managing Director, I collaborate with the OASIS leadership team to establish and grow our center. I also spearhead projects that mine OASIS\'s expertise. Additionally, I support ongoing RAES efforts, including RAES\'s stewardship of its international C\'est La Vie!(CLV) program and its leadership of strategic communication efforts for a West African public health and advocacy campaign.CLV is RAES\'s flagship project. Centered around a dramatic serial of the same name and complemented with various traditional media, digital media, and community-based strategies, CLV aims to: disseminate scientifically accurate and culturally appropriate information to a wide audience; stimulate personal reflection and collective debates on social norms; and encourage the adoption of safer behaviors in terms of sexual and reproductive health, maternal and child health, and gender-based violence. Across Africa and the global diaspora, CLV exposure is in the whopping triple-digit millions.I add value by ensuring that these efforts align with theory and evidence-based best practices, and by crafting impactful communication products.

Education

• Northwestern University

  BS, Social Policy

  1998 — 2002

• University of Southern California

  PhD, Communication

  2008 — 2014

• Tufts University

  MA, Child Study & Human Development

  2004 — 2006

Skills

• Social Media
• Writing
• Surveying
• Community Outreach
• Teaching
• Editing
• Research-Community Partnerships
• Focus Groups
• Program Evaluation
• Higher Education
• Training
• Instructional Design
• Nonprofits
• Public Speaking
• Research
• Program Development
• Assessment
• Experimentation
• Data Analysis
• Strategic Communications
• Technology Needs Analysis
• Qualitative Research
• Curriculum Development
• Curriculum Design
• Survey
• Project Collaboration