Abstract
Transformative evaluation (TE; Cooper 2014) is an innovative approach to evaluating projects and activities by eliciting ‘stories of change’ from participants who have been involved. Transformative evaluation (TE) is a ‘tried and tested’ methodology; it has been used in various research projects covering topics including youth work, health and wellbeing, and knowledge exchange. TE is particularly good at identifying the less tangible aspects of a phenomenon and is therefore well-suited for use in sustainability projects. It can help project participants gain a deep understanding of the enabling conditions which allow a sustainability activity to flourish. In addition, it is a participatory methodology, underpinned by principles of participation, negotiation and flexibility. It provides collective reflective spaces in which those involves examine, critique and analyse practice with an emphasis on learning. Crucially, it is quick and simple to complete – and can be conducted face to face or virtually. All participants potentially benefit from involvement, and lay researchers (e.g. students, members of the public, or community groups) can be trained quickly and easily to elicit and analyse stories. In this poster, we will outline the key elements of TE, and how they can be operationalised in practice, as well as suggesting ways in which TE might be used to evaluate sustainability innovations in support of the post-pandemic green recovery.
Presenters
Susan CooperAssociate Professor, Education, Plymouth Marjon University, Devon, United Kingdom Saul Bloxham
Dean of Sport Health and Wellbeing, School of Sport Health and Wellbeing, Plymouth Marjon University, United Kingdom Debby Cotton
Director of Academic Practice and Professor of Higher Education, Director of the Sustainability, Creativity and Innovation Group (SCION), Plymouth Marjon University, Devon, United Kingdom
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
Appreciative, Participatory, Reflective, Stories
