FrameWorks Institute

Around this time of year, sharing information about a nonprofit's positive impact isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Hearing about a project’s momentum can inspire more people to join the effort. But not all success stories are equally effective. When framing your success stories, remember the VIP approach: The “Victory” theme highlights clear, evidence-backed successes, showing how an organization overcame a social issue. The “Ingenuity” theme works for technical wins, focusing on the problem-solving process to make the success more relatable. The “Progress” theme emphasizes steady progress toward a larger goal, showing both achievements and ongoing efforts, and avoids reinforcing negative stereotypes. For more tips on talking about impact, click here: https://lnkd.in/gKQWavw4

The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson jolted the nation this month, but perhaps even more jarring were the common responses that the killing elicited. Many folks appeared to identify with Luigi Mangione’s sentiments, if not his actions. In their latest op-ed, FrameWorks' senior vice president of research, Andrew Volmert, and CEO, Nathaniel Kendall-Taylor make the case that the “system is rigged” mindset is too dominant and too widespread among the American people to ignore—and that understanding it is the first step to un-rigging systems that don’t work for most people. Read full article: https://lnkd.in/ei5WDHDC

Thanks to the FrameWorks Institute, a longtime partner, for visiting us last week to explore productive ways to talk about the system-is-rigged mindset. Look out for a 2025 report with key recommendations for framing rigged systems effectively to support progressive solutions. For now, learn more about this mindset in their latest research brief: https://lnkd.in/edd8HRNB

2025 will bring a new administration in Washington, debates about controversial policy ideas, and an unknowable host of cultural events and trends that will shape headlines, social media feeds, and kitchen table conversations. With all this change comes new and evolving questions about American culture—many of which we plan to investigate in 2025. Here’s a preview of what we’ll do:  -Assess the strategic implications of “mindset clusters”: Our research has already shown that some mindsets tend to cluster together—like Individualism, Meritocracy, and Market Naturalism, for example. Within each cluster, the more strongly people endorse one mindset, the more strongly they endorse others in that cluster. In 2025 we’ll continue to explore these connections to understand how culture change efforts on different issues can reinforce and amplify each other’s effects, and where it’s most critical for movements to come together to address mindsets that obstruct or enable change. -Examine how to frame with values to build systemic thinking across issues: We're currently researching how to appeal to certain values to strengthen systemic thinking across the board, on topics ranging from the economy to democracy to race and racism. This research will also examine the pros and cons of engaging with politically contested values—like freedom and fairness. -Explore how to navigate Americans’ deep desire for fundamental change: Our research to date shows that there is a critical mass of Americans who are deeply dissatisfied with the status quo, but struggle to envision a different future. We’ll explore how to navigate this challenge and help people imagine a better future without turning to charismatic strong men or technology as a deus ex machina that would swoop in and fix things. -Examine how to build a more inclusive “we the people”: In the coming year, we will begin investigating how framing can help build a more inclusive understanding of “we the people”—one that encompasses all groups within American society and that people in different groups can see themselves and others in. -Investigate how immigration and gender are connected to broader cultural trends: It is readily apparent—both in our research and in the news—how salient immigration and gender are in our current politics and people’s thinking about society. We aspire to deepen our understanding of how mindsets on these issues are connected to broader cultural currents and how to respond to them. We look forward to continuing to share what we learn in hopes that it can support our collective work in the years ahead. 

Over the past few years, there has been significant online and offline discussion on how to promote safety and address violence within communities. The concept of 'safety' often brings to mind its opposite—violence—leading many to think of dangerous, crime-ridden neighborhoods and view policing as the primary solution. Media coverage of crime rates often reinforces these associations. To shift this perspective, it's important to keep your message aspirational. Show people what you are going to create as a community first, before talking about what you need to prevent. This doesn’t mean you should avoid talking clearly and honestly about the problems your community faces, but from the very beginning, you want your audience to know what you can achieve together. For more guidance on how to frame community safety, click here: https://lnkd.in/eP2Pz6Eb

Framing complex and critically important health issues is a dynamic skillset we are constantly sharpening. Many thanks to Julie Sweetland and FrameWorks Institute for breaking down effective communication research on immunizations, health equity and other other challenges we need to think about differently with our Milbank Memorial Fund Fellows and Alumni. We will be pondering and implementing this for a while. https://lnkd.in/ejmSht9V

ICYMI: Last week, we hosted a webinar featuring FrameWorks senior advisor, Dr. Julie Sweetland, and moderated by FrameWorks board member and director of the Population Health Institute at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Dr. Sheri Johnson. The conversation explored the most important framing strategies for dampening disinformation, reducing polarization, and rebuilding trust in science. Watch the full webinar: https://lnkd.in/eVecTCEb 

New research from FrameWorks Institute and the National Diaper Bank Network dives into how Americans are thinking about diaper need and systemic poverty, as well as emerging insights into how we can start to change the narrative and build support for systemic solutions. Here are three insights from the FrameWorks Institute and the National Diaper Bank Network’s new research: 1) When people think that diapers are widely available, they often struggle to recognize diaper access and affordability as a basic need like food, water, or shelter. 2) People often blame individuals for experiencing diaper need and systemic poverty, instead of understanding the larger systemic factors at play. 3) There is a prevalent assumption that economic inequality is natural and that poverty is inevitable, which makes it challenging for people to recognize the possibility of change. Dive further into the research: https://lnkd.in/gVjQSnPy

Following the Supreme Court hearing on gender-affirming care this week, here’s a reminder to help you navigate conversations about trans youth. Research clearly shows that support and acceptance from parents, using young people’s chosen names, enacting inclusive policies and practices at schools and in the community, and providing gender-affirming medical care all support the physical health and wellbeing of trans youth. Moreover, supporting their wellbeing today helps them become happier, healthier adults who can contribute to their communities and well into the future. Combating anti-transgender laws and policies means harnessing the facts about adolescent development to inform how we talk about it. For more framing guidance, produced in partnership with UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent, click here: https://lnkd.in/eRXnW72f This guidance was shared in 2022 and is just as relevant today.

As we mark our 25th year, we’re launching our brand new website! The site, built in collaboration with our longtime partners at Constructive, was designed to make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for—whether that be resources, opportunities to connect, or general information on the science of framing. On the new site you’ll find:  -Framing Fundamentals: Learn about why framing matters—and check out the interactive before-and-after tool to see the difference strategic framing can make. -Essential Resources: Go back to—or start with—the essentials of framing. You can find our go-to resources on everything from metaphors to mindsets. -Common Questions: What are cultural mindsets? What’s the difference between framing and messaging? We’ve compiled answers to some of the most common (and important!) questions we’re asked. -Impact Stories: Check out real-world examples of what effective framing has accomplished in practice over the past 25 years—from bringing policy attention to the issue of ageism, to building better understandings of the effects of toxic stress on developing brains. -Partner with Us: We invite you to explore how we collaborate with our partners to tackle a wide range of communications challenges. We hope this new site makes it all the easier for you to find what you need to lead more productive public conversations on issues that matter! Visit us: https://lnkd.in/dd_MHDg