If Chana Disappears: Data Storytelling for Social Impact
Published:
After a prolonged period of lockdown and remote working, I eagerly sought opportunities for networking and skill enhancement. My search led me to a workshop perfectly aligned with my interests: leveraging technology to foster a better society.
About a month ago, alongside a friend who is a community architect, I participated in the Data Communication Lab. This data-driven storytelling workshop, facilitated by Punch Up, spanned five weekends from February 26th to March 19th, 2022. The workshop’s curriculum included:
- Week 1: The role of data communication in societal change
- Week 2: Techniques in data acquisition and analysis
- Week 3: Transforming data into civic technology through storytelling and data visualization
- Week 4: Crafting dara narratives and storyboards
- Week 5: Pitching day
Our project, a web-based scrollytelling titled ‘If Chana Disappears’, was among 24 team submissions. We aimed to highlight the risk facing the Chana district in southern Thailand, threatened by industrial expansion. Using data on local fish and sea life populations, and survey results on the popularity of seafood products, we illustrated the rich marine biodiversity of Chana’s seas and their crucial role in sustaining local life. Our narrative began with the story of shrimp paste, a staple in Thai cuisine, derived from krill found in pristine waters. We posited that industrial pollution in Chana could decimate the krill population, leading to the disappearance of this beloved condiment. The story concluded with local efforts to resist industrialization and a call to action for readers to support the community through various means.
Our aim was to raise awareness about natural resource conservation, advocate for equitable policies and governance, and encourage transparency in Thailand. We were honored to receive an Honorable Mention for our work, which was a testament to its potential to empower local communities. The experience was enriching, connecting me with like-minded individuals passionate about societal improvement. I invite you to listen to our presentation and explore other captivating stories from the workshop via Punch Up FB Live.
The time has finally come! I’ve arrived at TU Delft as a master’s student in the Engineering and Policy Analysis program! Delft and TU welcomed me with open arms, especially during the Introduction Program, where I met incredible new friends. It’s inspiring to be surrounded by people who share the same drive for self-improvement and the belief that we can create meaningful change through engineering, science, and interdisciplinary approaches.
Have you ever heard of or used IELTS Liz ? This post is about Liz, the owner of IELTS Liz. It’s an IELTS guide platform that has helped me develop my academic English skills. Even though I learned English through many platforms and teachers, her website was actually helpful, especially for writing—the skill I spent most of my time improving. I read almost every tip, trick, and free example given on her site. …
On November 22nd, 2023, I had the opportunity to attend the Cleveringa Lecture 2023 on the topic Notion of Social and Ecological Justice for River and Canalside Communities and for Nature at the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Thailand. This event, a collaboration between the embassy and the Urban Futures & Policy Research Unit of Thammasat University’s Faculty of Architecture and Planning, was more than just an academic gathering for me. It represented a fusion of my personal passion …
In recent years, it’s become clear that some of our most cherished traditions have unintended consequences on the environment. The Loy Krathong Festival in Thailand is a prime example. In 2022 alone, 572,603 krathongs were set afloat in the rivers of Bangkok. While 95.7% were made from biodegradable materials, the remaining 4.3% consisted of foam blocks that could be in our waterways for up to 400 years if not properly managed. Even materials like …