Participatory Methods for Entertainment–Education: Analysis of Best Practices

Abstract

Entertainment-education (EE) projects combine entertainment and education to increase knowledge, shift attitudes and promote social change using a range of communication platforms including theatre, radio, television, games, social media and others. Theoretical understanding regarding the underlying mechanisms of this creative communication approach developed alongside evidence and best practices for designing, implementing and evaluating interventions using techniques that reflect the current state of the field. Recent best practices often utilize participatory methods, a bottom-up approach wherein researchers work with stakeholders to identify culturally relevant indicators of change and gather information about the assets and needs of affected communities. Despite calls in the literature for reporting on participatory processes for health communication, a synthesis of such methods specific to EE has yet to emerge in the published literature. This comprehensive search reviews participatory best practices specifically used for the development and implementation of EE interventions with a wide range of behaviour and social change objectives. Findings suggest utilizing participatory research methods provide unique opportunities for inquiry aligned with current theory and evidence for both EE interventions and across other creative communication strategies. Implications include programmes produced by and with an audience as opposed to for an audience.