Our Work
Our research program aims to improve the contributions that research makes to social change processes. The program recognizes that contemporary sustainability challenges are complex and require innovative solutions. It appreciates that dedicated researchers are experimenting with new ways to design and implement research that is more engaged, pluralistic, and democratic in order to be more effective. This creates a great opportunity and a need to analyze and learn from experience.
Our program has developed a conceptual framework, tools, and methods for assessing the quality and effectiveness of change-oriented research. By applying this approach to evaluate, analyse, and compare a series of completed research projects, we learn what works and what does not work in specific contexts and generate lessons for researchers, research managers, research funders, and society more broadly.
Resources
The results of our work are available in peer-reviewed publications, case reports, and have been presented at numerous conferences, invited talks, and events. We have additional resources for those interested in applying our concepts, methods, and tools to their own work.
Our Team
We are an interdisciplinary team with diverse expertise based at Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The Sustainability Research Effectiveness team works in collaboration with a number of partnering organizations and students.
Our Projects
In our program, we:
- explore theories of social change as they apply to sustainability research and knowledge translation;
- develop and refine concepts of effective research design and implementation; and
- conduct case-studies and comparative analyses of completed research projects.
News
CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry evaluates its impact
The CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA) undertook an extensive study to assess its contributions to key global challenges: (1) accelerating rates of deforestation and forest degradation, (2) restoring degraded land and ecosystem services, (3) widespread unsustainable land use practices, (4) persistent rural poverty and increasing levels of vulnerability, and (5) rising demand and need for nutritious food for current and future generations. The Sustainability Research Effectiveness team supported FTA to measure progress to outcomes and estimate potential impacts of the program to address these challenges.
SRE Approaches get Research Feature
Both the Transdisciplinary Research Quality Assessment Framework and the Outcome Evaluation Approach were given spotlight in the latest issue of Research Features magazine. The article discusses the need for new approaches to define and assess transdisciplinary research, as more researchers and funders have come to appreciate the value of transcending disciplinary academic boundaries.
Research Effectiveness team supports Ashoka Canada to build Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy
The Sustainability Research Effectiveness team was recently invited to support Ashoka Canada to develop a Theory of Change to support a new Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy for Ashoka Canada. Ashoka Canada is working to build and cultivate a community of change leaders who catalyze positive change in the world.
Get in Touch
Supporters
Our work is made possible through Ashoka Canada, the Canada Research Chair Program (CRCP) of the Social Studies and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). 
English
French
Spanish
German
Dutch
Indonesian
Punjabi
Chinese (Simplified)