Research is not limited to numbers, findings, and technical reports. When communicated well, it can amplify the voices of the general public as well as the stakeholders. A workshop was organised based on the idea for the officials of the Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) in July 2026 in their Dhaka office. 

It was arranged under the Transformative Economic Policy Programme (TEPP), implemented by UNDP Bangladesh with the support of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, titled "Strengthening Research Communication and Policy Outreach".

The workshop focused on a central question: how research institutions can make their work more accessible, engaging, and influential, with around 25 participants. 

It explored ideas for turning evidence into compelling stories, and useful visuals that help people understand, trust, and use evidence. 

As a Ministry of Commerce-affiliated think tank, BFTI works closely with government, private sector actors, and development partners. 

While Bangladesh moves toward a more competitive and globally integrated economy, BFTI has an important role in supporting evidence-based policymaking in trade-related areas.

This position gives BFTI a strong opportunity to ensure that research findings are not limited to technical publications but are translated into accessible insights that can inform timely and practical decisions.

Participants reflected that high-quality research alone is not enough. Findings need to be shaped for different audiences, including policymakers, businesses, development partners, academia, media, and the wider public.

Facilitated by the UNDP Bangladesh Communications Team, the sessions were led by Md Abdul Quayyum, Head of Communications; Md Habib Torikul, Communications Associate; Sidratul Safayet Daniel, Communications Associate; and Sadia Rahman, Communications Assistant. Syed Yusuf Saadat, Economist, and Farhan Mashuk, Research Analyst, also joined as facilitators from UNDP.

Through discussions and exercises, participants learned to use technical tools like Canva and strategies for turning research into messages using clear communication, storytelling, and visuals. 

Reflecting on the training, Mursana Afroze, Executive Officer at BFTI, said the sessions helped participants understand communication tools across formats.

“The sessions were very effective. We learned practical ways to communicate better and improve institutional writing, including articles, journals, Facebook posts, and how we can use Canva as a tool,” she said.

The workshop overall emphasised that research communication is not an administrative task but a strategic function that enhances visibility, credibility, engagement, and policy impact. 

Sultan Mahmud, Research Manager at BFTI, said, "The workshop encouraged us to think about forming an organised communication team,” he said. 

Enhancing research findings will allow BFTI to deliver insights in the future that are clearer, more timely, and more actionable, helping connect evidence to policy decisions in Bangladesh.