Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa sits down with Dr. Christopher Robert, Founder Emeritus of Dobility, and Lawrence Li, President and CEO of Dobility, the company that powers SurveyCTO. Together, they examine how AI is changing the data collection lifecycle, from instrument design and fieldwork to data quality, data security, and the credibility of empirical research, and what organizations should do now to prepare.

What You’ll Learn:

• Where AI is already changing the data collection lifecycle
• How AI makes full-scale data quality checks economically viable
• What organizations overestimate and underestimate about AI in survey research
• How AI affects data privacy risks, and how it can help mitigate them
• Why AI should be managed like a junior colleague
• How AI adoption will differ across industries and low-connectivity settings
• And more!
  
  

Lawrence Li is the President and CEO of Dobility, the company behind the SurveyCTO data collection platform. He brings a background in consulting and investing, and leads Dobility's strategy at the intersection of technology and social impact, with an emphasis on data quality, data security, and responsible AI adoption.

Dr. Christopher Robert is the Founder Emeritus of Dobility. A technologist by training, he began collecting data for social impact in Cambodia in 2003 and later relied on large-scale field data for his doctoral research in public policy. Persistent data quality problems with paper-based methods led him to build the tools that became SurveyCTO.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

• Lawrence Li on LinkedIn
• Christopher Robert on LinkedIn
• Marta Costa on LinkedIn
• Dobility Website
• SurveyCTO Website
• SurveyCTO Demo Request Form

Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Check out our most downloaded episode:

• What’s Missing from Your Data Collection Strategy? With Andrew Gerhard of Loop Horizon
• How Can Data Transform Communities? Insights from Paul Nzerebende of the Human Trafficking Institute in Uganda
• The Ethics of Field Research in Vulnerable Communities with Dr. Angela R. Pashayan of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa sits down with Simon Birk, Co-founder, President, and COO of Health in Your Hands Diagnostics, to discuss how his nonprofit is tackling schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease affecting millions in endemic regions, through SCOPE (Schistosomiasis Control from the One Health Perspective), a project that integrates affordable diagnostics, community education, and environmental mapping in rural Nigeria.

What You’ll Learn:

• The three pillars of the SCOPE project
• Why community leadership is non-negotiable in global health work
• How qualitative interviews and demographic data reshaped their approach
• Why listening to local health practitioners should happen before fieldwork begins
• How switching from paper forms to SurveyCTO at the recommendation of local physician partners transformed their fieldwork
• And more!
  
  

Simon Birk is the Co-founder, President, and COO of Health in Your Hands Diagnostics, a nonprofit he launched in 2025 to close gaps in global health through affordable, community-centered diagnostics. A fourth-year medical student at McGovern Medical School, Simon leads SCOPE (Schistosomiasis Control from the One Health Perspective), a project in rural Nigeria that combines a $2 Foldscope-based diagnostic workflow, drone imagery for environmental mapping, and educational programming for children. Working with FUNAAB, the Federal Medical Center of Abeokuta, and the Ogun State Ministry of Health, his team completed a pilot that achieved 92.1% diagnostic accuracy and is now scaling to an eleven-month longitudinal study across twelve communities. Simon is a strong advocate for community health workers and for embedding local expertise at every stage of global health research.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

• Simon Birk on LinkedIn
• Health in Your Hands Diagnostics Website
• Marta Costa on LinkedIn
• Dobility Website
• SurveyCTO Website
• SurveyCTO Demo Request Form

Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Check out our most downloaded episode:

• What’s Missing from Your Data Collection Strategy? With Andrew Gerhard of Loop Horizon
• How Can Data Transform Communities? Insights from Paul Nzerebende of the Human Trafficking Institute in Uganda
• The Ethics of Field Research in Vulnerable Communities with Dr. Angela R. Pashayan of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa sits down with Mario Callegaro, Founder of Callegaro Research, to discuss how data collection methods have evolved across market research and user experience research, and why AI adoption requires expert oversight rather than blind automation.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to distinguish when surveys are the wrong tool
• The triangulation framework for validating research findings
• Why AI uncertainty requires a new mental model for researchers
• The structural problem with separate marketing and UX research teams
• How to build substantive knowledge as your quality control mechanism
• And more!
  
  

Mario Callegaro is the Founder of Callegaro Research and an expert in survey methodology, data collection, and AI-assisted research. With a background spanning sociology and advanced research methods training from the University of Nebraska, Mario has spent over 15 years leading quantitative and user experience research initiatives at major tech companies, including Google and Knowledge Panel, where he pioneered approaches to online survey methodology and data quality assurance.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

• Mario Callegaro on LinkedIn
• Callegaro Research Website
• Marta Costa on LinkedIn
• Dobility Website
• SurveyCTO Website
• SurveyCTO Demo Request Form

Episode Chapters: 

• 0:00 Intro
• 00:49 From a CATI Lab in Italy to a PhD in Nebraska
• 05:58 Market Research vs. UX Research
• 10:25 Why Surveys Aren’t Always the Right Tool
• 16:30 Data Quality: Your Own List vs. the Wild West of Online Panels
• 21:47 Where AI Actually Helps Researchers Today
• 30:54 The Future: Blurred Lines Between Qual and Quant
• 35:48 AI-Assisted Surveys in Survey Practice
  
  

Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Check out our most downloaded episode:

• What’s Missing from Your Data Collection Strategy? With Andrew Gerhard of Loop Horizon
• How Can Data Transform Communities? Insights from Paul Nzerebende of the Human Trafficking Institute in Uganda
• The Ethics of Field Research in Vulnerable Communities with Dr. Angela R. Pashayan of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa sits down with Sabine Topolansky, a Process and Impact Evaluation Manager at OCP Nutricrops, to discuss how robust M&E practices built in international development can be applied to drive measurable impact in the private sector and what career transitions from nonprofits to for-profit agriculture demand.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to design third-party monitoring and verification (TPM&V) systems that prioritize field monitor safety
• The four critical pillars of comprehensive M&E
• Why private sector companies increasingly need internal M&E teams
• How to translate M&E skills from the nonprofit sector into private sector language
• The three most underutilized methods in corporate impact work
• And more!
  
  

Sabine Topolansky is a Process and Impact Evaluation Manager at OCP Nutricrops, bringing over a decade of expertise in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) across international development, private sector, and agricultural contexts. With a background spanning NGOs, evaluation consulting firms, and donor-funded programs, she specializes in translating complex field realities into measurable insights and actionable learning.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

• Sabine Topolansky on LinkedIn
• OCP Nutricrops Website
• J-PAL's guide to CEA
• Basic Costing Template
• Measurement and Indicators
• J-PAL teaching resources on randomized evaluations and threats to internal validity
• Power calculator
• MIT x J-PAL Online Course
• Marta Costa on LinkedIn
• Dobility Website
• SurveyCTO Website
• SurveyCTO Demo Request Form

Episode Chapters: 

• 0:00 Intro
• 01:20 A Lucky Start in M&E
• 02:42 Four Lessons From Working Across Organizations
• 05:30 M&E Is More Than Reporting
• 08:08 Third-Party Monitoring and Verification in Conflict Zones
• 13:25 The OCP Nutricrops Story
• 18:14 What Transfers and What Doesn’t
• 22:29 What the Private Sector Can Learn From International Development
• 24:53 Career Advice for MEL Professionals in Transition
• 28:24 Recommended Resources

Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Check out our most downloaded episode:

• What’s Missing from Your Data Collection Strategy? With Andrew Gerhard of Loop Horizon
• How Can Data Transform Communities? Insights from Paul Nzerebende of the Human Trafficking Institute in Uganda
• The Ethics of Field Research in Vulnerable Communities with Dr. Angela R. Pashayan of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa sits down with Allen Fan, Co-founder of CarbonHQ, to uncover how CarbonHQ is building the digital infrastructure that carbon project developers need to manage data from multiple sources, automate quality checks, and ultimately compress credit issuance from years down to weeks through digital Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (dMRV).

What You’ll Learn:

• Why carbon credit quality is fundamentally determined by data quality
• How dMRV can compress credit issuance timelines from 6-36 months down to weeks
• Why manual data validation processes break at scale
• How to implement consistent data naming conventions and unique identifiers across all forms and partners
• And more!
  
  

Allen Fan is the Co-founder of CarbonHQ, bringing expertise in digital measurement, reporting, and verification (dMRV) systems within the carbon markets. With a multifaceted background spanning auditing and consulting at Big Four firms, venture capital, and carbon project finance, Alan has developed a deep understanding of the operational challenges facing carbon project developers globally.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Youtube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

• Allen Fan on LinkedIn
• CarbonHQ Website
• Marta Costa on LinkedIn
• Dobility Website
• SurveyCTO Website
• SurveyCTO Demo Request Form

Episode Chapters: 

• 0:00 Intro
• 00:57 From Accountant to Carbon Entrepreneur
• 05:02 The Scaling Pain That Sparked CarbonHQ
• 08:54 How Carbon Project Data Actually Works
• 16:38 Data Quality Is Carbon Credit Quality
• 21:01 CarbonHQ as the Heart of Operations
• 25:14 The dMRV Future
• 26:01 Advice for Climate Tech Founders
  
  

Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Check out our most downloaded episode:

• What’s Missing from Your Data Collection Strategy? With Andrew Gerhard of Loop Horizon
• How Can Data Transform Communities? Insights from Paul Nzerebende of the Human Trafficking Institute in Uganda
• The Ethics of Field Research in Vulnerable Communities with Dr. Angela R. Pashayan of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa sits down with Maria Pervova, Business Development Lead at SurveyCTO. Together, they tackle one of the biggest decisions organizations face when setting up their data collection infrastructure: should you build your own software in-house or subscribe to a SaaS platform?

What You’ll Learn:

• The true cost of ownership when it comes to in-house platforms
• Why the build vs. buy conversation can create false dichotomies
• What the future holds as new technologies like AI and vibe coding reshape the landscape
  
  

Maria Pervova is the Business Development Lead at SurveyCTO, where she has spent the past five years guiding organizations through critical technology decisions. With vast experience consulting on data collection infrastructure, she brings deep expertise in evaluating the trade-offs between building custom software solutions and leveraging existing platforms. Maria's work focuses on helping organizations assess scalability, sustainability, and long-term impact when navigating the build-versus-buy decision. In this episode, she shares practical frameworks for evaluating the true cost of ownership, security compliance, and resource allocation.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Youtube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

• Maria Pervova on LinkedIn
• Dobility Website
• Marta Costa on LinkedIn
• SurveyCTO Websiteant
• SurveyCTO Demo Request Form

Episode Highlights:

[03:34] - The Frankenstein Effect - When organizations build customer software to satisfy every stakeholder’s wish list, they risk the “Frankenstein effect,” a bloated system stitched together from too many competing demands. SaaS platforms avoid this through product managers who set boundaries and say no. For teams needing flexibility, the smarter move is choosing open platforms that allow customization on top of native functionality.
[07:44] - The Expensive Tissue Hypothesis - Organizations evaluating whether to build or buy software often focus on today’s needs while underestimating the long-term burden of maintenance, security, hosting, bug fixes, and keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology. SaaS platforms are purpose-built for this. The real question isn’t whether you can build it, but whether you should spend your finite organizational energy on it. Every hour devoted to maintaining plumbing is an hour not spent on the creative, high-impact work that drives your mission forward and keeps your team motivated.

[23:20] - The Iceberg of True Cost - Building in-house often looks cheaper, but only at the surface. Maria describes the true cost of ownership as an iceberg: the visible part is build time and developer headcount. However, beneath it lies ongoing maintenance, OS updates, browser compatibility, scaling, server reliability, user support, training, and bug fixes. Think about this way: when you build, if there’s an issue with the toilet and things are flooding, it’s on you. With a vendor, someone else handles the repairs. The question is whether the organization is ready to own everything that comes after.
Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Check out our most downloaded episode:

• What’s Missing from Your Data Collection Strategy? With Andrew Gerhard of Loop Horizon
• How Can Data Transform Communities? Insights from Paul Nzerebende of the Human Trafficking Institute in Uganda
• The Ethics of Field Research in Vulnerable Communities with Dr. Angela R. Pashayan of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

In this episode of Survey and Beyond, Nicole explains how geospatial data collection supports compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which requires companies to prove that commodities like coffee and cocoa are not sourced from recently deforested land. This has significantly increased the demand for accurate farm-level data, including precise geographic boundaries.


With experience across Latin America, her work focuses on designing and implementing data collection systems that function in real-world field conditions, often in remote and low-connectivity environments.


Nicole walks through how data is collected in the field, from surveys capturing socioeconomic conditions to GPS-based mapping of farm boundaries. Rather than relying on a single GPS point, enumerators trace full polygons by walking the perimeter of farms or using satellite imagery for larger plots. This approach improves accuracy and strengthens traceability systems.


Marta and Nicole also explore how this data is used after collection, including processing with Python and integrating with satellite data sources to monitor land use over time. Beyond compliance, geospatial data provides broader value by helping farmers maintain access to international markets and demonstrate sustainable practices.


What You’ll Learn


 ● How geospatial data enables compliance with EU deforestation regulations
 ● Why farm boundary mapping is more accurate than single GPS points
 ● How offline data collection works in remote environments
 ● The role of satellite imagery in monitoring land use
 ● How geospatial data helps farmers access global markets
 ● Key challenges in rural data collection and how to overcome them
 ● Emerging trends in satellite mapping and machine learning
 ● Best practices for implementing geospatial data systems

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Youtube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.



Episode Resources

• Nicole Linares on LinkedIn
• Laterite Website
• SurveyCTO Websiteant
• Marta Costa on LinkedIn
  
  

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Intro and Guest Welcome
01:41 Nicole’s Background and Work in Data Collection
03:48 What is EUDR and Why It Matters
06:36 How Farm Mapping Works in Practice
09:00 Challenges of Remote Data Collection
10:58 Offline Maps and MBTiles Explained
14:00 What Happens After Data Collection
17:33 Trends: Satellite Data and Machine Learning
18:56 The Role of Technology in Agriculture
20:38 Advice for Organizations Starting Out
22:28 Tools and Resources for Geospatial Work
23:26 Closing RemarksSurvey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Check out our most downloaded episode:

• What’s Missing from Your Data Collection Strategy? With Andrew Gerhard of Loop Horizon
• How Can Data Transform Communities? Insights from Paul Nzerebende of the Human Trafficking Institute in Uganda
• The Ethics of Field Research in Vulnerable Communities with Dr. Angela R. Pashayan of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa sits down with Hannah Wichmann, a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist at Five Talents UK. Together, they explore how data collection, when done correctly, fosters trust, transparency, and transformation.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to design MEL systems that honor participatory principles
• Why observation and qualitative data are equally valuable as quantitative metrics
• How to maximise existing data by storing it digitally
• How to transition from paper to digital without mandating change
• Group-led data analysis keeps ownership within communities
• How to balance donor interests with community needs
  
  

Hannah Wichmann is a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist at Five Talents UK, bringing over a decade of hands-on experience in digitizing MEL systems across East and Central Africa. With a background in microfinance and community development, Hannah has spearheaded the organisation's three-year digital transformation strategy, shifting from paper-based data collection to sustainable digital workflows that center community voices and actionable insights. Her work has redefined what it means to make data local, meaningful, and human-centered, helping organizations move from compliance-driven monitoring to learning-focused partnerships.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Youtube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

• Hannah Wichmann on LinkedIn
• Five Talents UK Website
• Marta Costa on LinkedIn
• SurveyCTO Websiteant

Episode Chapters: 

• 0:00 Intro
• 01:25 Hannah’s Path Into MEL
• 02:45 Five Talents in 60 Seconds
• 03:33 The 3 Pillars of the 3-Year MEL Strategy
• 05:33 Building a Learning Culture
• 10:23 Theory of Change as a Discovery Tool
• 12:20 Paper’s Hidden Cost: You Can’t Go Back
• 13:58 Piloting During the Pandemic
• 16:56 Adoption Without Mandates
• 20:48 The Frying Pan Problem
• 23:37 Digitization Forces Better Questions
• 25:35 A Short Survey, Massive Insight
• 29:20 Keeping Data with Communities
• 33:07 Practical Advice for Small Organisations
  
  

Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Check out our most downloaded episode:

• What’s Missing from Your Data Collection Strategy? With Andrew Gerhard of Loop Horizon
• How Can Data Transform Communities? Insights from Paul Nzerebende of the Human Trafficking Institute in Uganda
• The Ethics of Field Research in Vulnerable Communities with Dr. Angela R. Pashayan of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

In this episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, host Marta Costa sits down with Aasit Nanavati, Chief Strategy Officer at DevResults. Together, they discuss what digital transformation actually means in foreign assistance and why 2025 felt like an inflection point for the entire sector.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to recognize the critical inflection point in foreign assistance
• Why technology fatigue undermines impact
• The single source of truth framework
• How to avoid the legacy loop trap
• Why foundational data infrastructure must precede emerging technologies
  
  

Aasit Nanavati is Chief Strategy Officer at DevResults, a monitoring, evaluation, and learning technology platform, bringing over a decade of expertise in global health, international development, and digital transformation. With a background in public health and epidemiology, Aasit has led impactful programs across India, Uganda, and beyond while championing data-driven decision-making as a core principle in foreign assistance.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Youtube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

• Aasit Nanavati on LinkedIn
• DevResults Website
• Marta Costa on LinkedIn
• SurveyCTO Websiteant

Episode Chapters: 

• 09:57 Intro
• 10:13 From Public Health to MEL Tech
• 16:59 Foreign Assistance at an Inflection Point
• 20:06 The Digital Tools Ecosystem
• 21:55 Why Digital Transformation Fails
• 25:35 The Danger of Over-Customization
• 28:21 Human-Centered Innovation
• 30:48 What Single Source of Truth Unlocks
• 35:32 The Next Decade Challenge
• 38:08 What’s Exciting Now
• 40:21 Closing Takeaway
  
  

Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Check out our most downloaded episode:

• What’s Missing from Your Data Collection Strategy? With Andrew Gerhard of Loop Horizon
• How Can Data Transform Communities? Insights from Paul Nzerebende of the Human Trafficking Institute in Uganda
• The Ethics of Field Research in Vulnerable Communities with Dr. Angela R. Pashayan of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

Data collection, impact measurement, and survey research are often described as complex, expensive, or impossible to get right, especially at scale. In this special December compilation episode of Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast, we revisit some of the most thought-provoking conversations from across the year, bringing together researchers, practitioners, and technologists who are pushing the boundaries of how impact is measured, validated, and trusted.

From the challenges of sampling households without reliable census data to the hidden risks of poorly designed survey instruments, and the growing demand for data transparency in carbon markets, this episode highlights one recurring theme: meaningful decisions depend on evidence you can trust.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to move beyond perception bias
• The critical inclusion problem in datasets
• Why household sampling methodology matters for credibility
• How to design survey measures that capture real learning
• Why data transparency directly protects your organization's credibility and market trust
• The qualitative rubric advantage over surveys for deep assessment
  
  

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

• Amelia Burke-Garcia on LinkedIn
• Maulik Chauhan on LinkedIn
• Douglas Johnson on LinkedIn
• Jeremy Taylor on LinkedIn
• Alexa Kneale on LinkedIn
• Marta Costa on LinkedIn
• Dobility Website
• SurveyCTO Website

Episode Chapters: 

• 0:00 Why ‘Unmeasurable’ Is a Myth
• 01:12 Inclusion as a Data Quality Issue
• 02:02 The Reality of Household Sampling Without Census Data
• 05:23 Measuring Social-Emotional Growth Beyond Surveys
• 06:12 Why Data Transparency Is the Basis of Trust
• 07:43 Why the Right-Hand Rule Falls Apart in Practice
• 09:53 When Survey Results Lie
• 12:58 Automating the Data Lifecycle for Carbon Credits
• 17:40 AI as the Next Opinion Leader in Health Communication
• 20:23 The Future of Rooftop and Grid-Based Sampling
  
  

Survey & Beyond: The Data Collection Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Check out our most downloaded episode:

• What’s Missing from Your Data Collection Strategy? With Andrew Gerhard of Loop Horizon
• How Can Data Transform Communities? Insights from Paul Nzerebende of the Human Trafficking Institute in Uganda
• The Ethics of Field Research in Vulnerable Communities with Dr. Angela R. Pashayan of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)