Advocate Interview Guide

What must be done in an interview?

Establish a comfortable environment:

a. Choose a quiet and private location for the interview.
b. Create a welcoming and non-intimidating atmosphere to put the student at ease.
c. Ensure that the interview setting is free from distractions.

1. Introduce yourself:
a. Begin the interview by introducing yourself and explaining the purpose of the interview.
b. Make the student feel comfortable by expressing your interest in their perspectives and
experiences.

2. Explain the process:

a. Provide an overview of the interview structure, including the duration and types of questions.
b. Explain that their responses will be confidential and used solely for the intended purpose.

Use open-ended questions:

a. Ask open-ended questions to encourage thoughtful and detailed responses.
b. Allow the student to express their opinions, experiences, and insights freely.
c. Avoid leading or biased questions that may influence the student's answers.

3. Active listening:
a. Demonstrate active listening by maintaining eye contact, nodding, and providing verbal cues.
b. Encourage the student to expand on their responses and ask follow-up questions when
appropriate.
c. Show genuine interest and curiosity in their perspectives.

4. Respect and empathy:

a. Create a safe space where the student feels respected and valued.
b. Be sensitive to their emotions and experiences, offering empathy and understanding when
necessary.
c. Refrain from judgmental or dismissive remarks.

5. Encourage reflection and examples:

a. Prompt the student to reflect on their experiences and provide specific examples to support
their answers.
b. Ask them to describe situations where they encountered challenges or achieved significant
accomplishments.

6. Maintain a conversational tone:

a. Keep the interview conversational to foster a comfortable and open dialogue.
b. Avoid sounding too formal or rigid, allowing the student to express themselves naturally.
7. Adapt to individual needs:
a. Be flexible and accommodating to the individual needs and abilities of the student.
b. Make adjustments for students with disabilities, language barriers, or other unique
circumstances.

8. Wrap up and express gratitude:

a. Summarize the key points discussed during the interview.
b. Thank the student for their time and willingness to share their thoughts.
c. Offer the opportunity for them to ask any questions or provide additional information if
desired.

Remember to obtain appropriate consent and maintain confidentiality throughout the interview
process. These guidelines should help create a positive and productive experience for the
student.

5Ws and 1H:

WHAT:
a. What cause or idea are you advocating for?
b. What are the key goals and objectives of your advocacy work?
c. What specific actions or initiatives have you taken to advance your cause?
d. What are some major achievements or milestones you have reached so far?

WHERE:
a. Where is your advocacy work primarily focused? Is it local, national, or international?
b. Where do you see the most significant impact of your advocacy efforts?
c. Where do you encounter the most challenges or resistance in promoting your cause?

WHEN:
a. When did you start advocating for this cause, and what inspired you to do so?
b. When do you believe your cause gained significant attention or momentum?
c. When do you anticipate achieving your long-term goals?

WHO:
a. Who are the key stakeholders or target audiences for your advocacy work?
b. Who are your allies or partners in promoting your cause?
c. Who has been most receptive to your message, and who has been more resistant?

WHY:
a. Why is this cause or idea important to you personally?
b. Why should others care about this cause and support your advocacy efforts?
c. Why do you believe your approach or perspective is effective in driving change?
HOW:
a. How do you raise awareness and mobilize support for your cause?
b. How do you engage with policymakers or decision-makers to influence change?
c. How do you measure the impact of your advocacy efforts?
d. How do you handle challenges or setbacks in your advocacy work?

Other questions:

1. What does it mean to you to be a faith and justice advocate?

2. How do your personal beliefs or religious/spiritual values inform your advocacy for
justice?
3. What specific social justice issues or causes are you passionate about and actively
advocate for?
4. How do you integrate your faith or spiritual practices into your advocacy work?
5. In what ways do you collaborate with religious or faith-based organizations to promote
justice?
6. How do you engage with individuals or communities who may have different religious or
spiritual beliefs in your advocacy efforts?
7. What personal qualities or characteristics do you think are important for a faith and
justice advocate to possess?
8. How do you navigate the potential tensions or conflicts between different religious or
spiritual perspectives when advocating for justice?
9. Can you provide an example of a situation where your faith or spirituality played a
significant role in your advocacy work?
10. How do you balance the desire for systemic change and long-term impact with the
immediate needs of individuals or communities affected by injustice?
11. What strategies or approaches do you employ to raise awareness and mobilize support
for your advocacy initiatives?
12. How do you address self-care and maintain resilience while engaging in challenging or
emotionally draining advocacy work?
13. What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a faith and justice
advocate?
14. How do you measure or evaluate the impact of your advocacy efforts?
15. Can you share a story or experience that exemplifies the transformative power of faith
and justice advocacy?
16. These questions should help you gather insights into the characteristics, motivations,
and approaches of individuals who advocate for faith and justice. Remember to tailor the
questions based on the specific context and focus of the advocacy work being
discussed.

Remember, these questions serve as a guide, and you can expand or modify them based
on the specific context and focus of your advocacy. Additionally, feel free to follow up
with more probing questions to delve deeper into the interviewee's experiences and
insights.

Introduce ourselves
Introduce the interviewee