Program Theory of Change

The program aims to understand and improve the ways that research contributes to change in complex socio-ecological systems. We are developing concepts and tools to evaluate research and generating lessons to support researchers and the effective conduct and application of use-inspired research.

The main activities of the program are:

  • exploring the social theory underlying research effectiveness;

We intend for our refined tools and methods to facilitate more effective research planning, implementation, and assessment within the wider research community. By using a participatory approach for outcome evaluations and collaborating with other researchers to implement our tools and methods, our work prompts reflection on what does and does not work. Publishing tools and case studies through traditional academic channels helps disseminate methods and lessons for other researchers to use and build upon, and further advances the research effectiveness agenda. Our overarching purpose is for research to become more effective through improved design, implementation, and adaptive management to ultimately maximize research contributions to positive social, environmental, and economic change.

Theory of Change is a useful reporting tool to demonstrate progress to key outputs and outcomes. See here for our progress along this program ToC.

 

Learn more about Theory of Change from our website (see Additional Resources) or on Wikipedia. Other useful sources on Theory of Change can be found on the td-net Toolbox, theoryofchange.org, and Better Evaluation.