Category Archives: Living systems research

“Everything I’ve ever done has ultimately failed”

Posted on August 20, 2020 by Cathy Sharp

One of the positive experiences to come from the pandemic is the chance to connect with people across the world with common interests in systems change.  In many webinars and video conferences, it’s pleasing and affirming to find that there … Continue reading →

Posted in 5th generation evaluation, Leadership, Living systems research, What is action research? | Comments Off on “Everything I’ve ever done has ultimately failed”

Collective Leadership – Exploring new territories for evaluation

Posted on November 9, 2018 by admin

I spent time this summer writing about evaluation.  It’s been good to immerse myself in reading and thinking about what complexity and collaboration mean for how we evaluate public programmes and interventions. The focus has been Workforce Scotland’s Collective Leadership … Continue reading →

Posted in 5th generation evaluation, Appreciative inquiry, Co-production and new ways of working, How can evaluation be useful?, Leadership, Living systems research, Participatory research methods, Partnership working, Research Impact, Stories, What is action research? | Comments Off on Collective Leadership – Exploring new territories for evaluation

Where nothing is clear, and everything keeps changing – new territories for evaluation

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Cathy Sharp

Greetings from the Faroe Islands.  In my efforts to develop new perspectives on evaluation I’m attending a conference on Communication, Collaboration and Relationships.  This is my annual dose of CPD – like many people from the UK, this is new … Continue reading →

Posted in 5th generation evaluation, Appreciative inquiry, Co-production and new ways of working, Courses and events, How can evaluation be useful?, Living systems research, Research Impact, Stories, What is action research? | Comments Off on Where nothing is clear, and everything keeps changing – new territories for evaluation

“The cynicism that passes for sophistication”

Posted on March 7, 2018 by Cathy Sharp

I’m not sure when or how I first encountered Appreciative Inquiry.  But I do remember going to an Imagine Chicago conference in 2002 with a group of community activists from Edinburgh.  We had a thoroughly exciting time, meeting appreciative inquirers … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciative inquiry, Co-production and new ways of working, How can evaluation be useful?, Leadership, Living systems research, Participatory research methods, Research Impact, What is action research? | Comments Off on “The cynicism that passes for sophistication”

Reigniting Evaluation – Unfolding Stories

Posted on February 2, 2018 by Cathy Sharp

Today about 24 people gathered in Edinburgh to explore what they value about evaluation, as part of the 2018 Fire Starter Festival. Working with our own stories of experience of evaluation at it’s best, we identified what values and qualities … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciative inquiry, Co-production and new ways of working, Courses and events, How can evaluation be useful?, Leadership, Living systems research, Participatory research methods, Partnership working, Research Impact, Stories, What is action research? | Comments Off on Reigniting Evaluation – Unfolding Stories

Calling time on ancedotal evidence….

Posted on December 9, 2014 by admin

I notice my irritation rising whenever someone refers to ‘anecdotal evidence’. As if people are saying the evidence is merely anecdotal. It’s unreliable and based on hearsay. It doesn’t count for much. And so often, such remarks are made in … Continue reading →

Posted in Co-production and new ways of working, How can evaluation be useful?, Living systems research, Participatory research methods, Research Impact, Stories, What is action research? | Comments Off on Calling time on ancedotal evidence….

Caring conversations in action

Posted on January 15, 2014 by admin

Taking time to hear the stories that matter to matter pays off in the long run…it’s just the way we do things round here.   Asking for feedback can feel a bit embarrassing but we find the courage because it’s good … Continue reading →

Posted in Co-production and new ways of working, How can evaluation be useful?, Living systems research, Participatory research methods, Partnership working, Research Impact, Stories, What is action research? | Comments Off on Caring conversations in action

Research as if people were human

Posted on December 20, 2013 by admin

I’m delighted to be a guest blogger for IRISS this week.  This post talks about how stories energise and restore people’s connections with each other and what they care about, so motivating people to work together.  Action research – a truly humane approach to … Continue reading →

Posted in Co-production and new ways of working, How can evaluation be useful?, Living systems research, Participatory research methods, Partnership working, Research Impact, Stories, What is action research? | Comments Off on Research as if people were human

Appreciative dialogue – co-production in action

Posted on November 14, 2013 by admin

Here’s a new article on appreciative dialogue by Belinda Dewar and Cathy Sharp. We discuss the role of appreciative dialogue in facilitation of practice development and action research. There’s not much guidance about the ‘how’ of facilitation – here we highlight one … Continue reading →

Posted in Co-production and new ways of working, Living systems research, Participatory research methods, Partnership working, Research Impact, Stories, What is action research? | Comments Off on Appreciative dialogue – co-production in action

Stories – how to use them to bring work to life

Posted on July 29, 2013 by admin

Changing places with stories is a new resource developed by Space Unlimited with Research for Real to help groups of people to work with stories to support learning and inspire action to improve our places. Experience shows that story-telling can … Continue reading →

Posted in Co-production and new ways of working, How can evaluation be useful?, Living systems research, Participatory research methods, Partnership working, Research Impact, Stories | Comments Off on Stories – how to use them to bring work to life