Research & Evaluation
Our social research and evaluation teams combine rigour with depth. Take a look at the methodologies we use - usually woven together to suit context.
Theory of Change
We've developed Theories of Change for national Just Transition frameworks and complex social interventions in EU industrial settings, always treating them as living documents that evolve with learning.
Measuring and evaluating success in the Scottish Just Transition
Drabble, D. and Simeone, L. (eds.) (2021). Strategic Thinking, Design and the Theory of Change. London: Routledge
Scenario building
We've used scenario approaches to support strategic planning in rapidly changing policy environments, including Europe's labour market trends aligned with the European Commission's Strategic Foresight process.
Realist evaluation
We ask: what works, for whom, in what circumstances, and how? We build and test context-mechanism-outcome configurations iteratively, using mixed methods to understand generative causation in real-world complexity.
We're currently applying theory-based realist evaluation to understand AI tool implementation across European labour markets.
AI implementation research across European labour markets
HM Treasury (2020). Magenta Book Supplementary Guide: Realist Evaluation
Mixed methods research
Numbers tell part of the story, and the views and experiences of individuals tell another. We integrate quantitative methods (surveys, statistical analysis, validated measurement tools) with in-depth qualitative work (interviews, focus groups) to understand what's happening and why it matters.
We've combined large-scale surveys across global tech companies with focus groups and systematic literature reviews and have the experience and capacity to launch projects rapidly when clients need.
Developmental evaluation
The evaluation is part of the innovation process, not a judgement delivered afterwards. Our developmental evaluation with international social change organisations facilitated learning spaces as each adapted wellbeing interventions to their unique cultural contexts.
Participative research
We co-design questions, methods and interpretation that bring collective knowledge to life.
We've co-produced evaluations with young people with lived experience of mental health issues, women affected by domestic violence, industry partners struggling to weigh up change.
Contribution analysis
When your intervention is emerging amidst interacting systems, responding to constantly evolving contexts, traditional evaluation won't tell you what works. We use contribution analysis to build a credible story of what's shifting, working with the uncertainties. Through iterative inquiry with stakeholders and those affected, we trace how your activities contribute to change across complex, shifting environments where simple cause and effect doesn't apply.
We've used this to evaluate large-scale transformation change processes across multiple sectors.
Junge, K., Cullen, J., & Iacopini, G. (2020). Using contribution analysis to evaluate large-scale, transformation change processes. Evaluation, 26(2), 227-245
What is our approach to evaluation?
Action learning
We work alongside your team as co-investigators, not distant observers. Action learning at TIHR is a blend of inquiry and intervention, grounded in organisational learning and practical application.
We explore the relationship between the individual, the group, and the wider organisational system. Combining systems thinking with depth psychology, we’ve supported change in mining industries, the EU’s clothing sector, health leadership teams and global IT companies. Our teams understand the unconscious processes influencing behaviour and decision-making and build your capacity to think clearly under pressure and create lasting transformation.
What is Action Research?
Menzies, I. E. P. (1960). A Case-Study in the Functioning of Social Systems as a Defence against Anxiety
Socio-Technical Systems
Recent scholarship has extended this into balanced optimisation, which treats demands from the wider ecosystem as equally pressing; and adaptive autonomy, recognising that in human-AI systems, autonomy is not fixed but distributed and renegotiated as tasks and contexts shift.
We bring an STS lens wherever new tools, agents or platforms are reshaping how people work. We are developing a multi-level STS evaluation framework for complex human-AI systems to promote effective labour market policy in Europe. We are also pioneering experiential and arts-based approaches to STS learning, including participatory performances such as Faust Shop and Memory Machine.
Lawlor, D., Sher, M. with C. Child (2023), ‘Socio-ecological: Working with Large Complex Collaborative Partnerships (Whole Systems)’, Systems Psychodynamics: Innovative Approaches to Change, Whole Systems and Complexity , D. Lawlor, M. Sher, New York, London.
Trist, E.L. and Bamforth, K.W. (1951). Some social and psychological consequences of the longwall method of coal-getting. Human Relations, 4(1), pp.3–38.
Emery, F.E., Marek, J., Miller, E.J. and Murray, H. (1960). Analysis of automation: a preliminary statement. Tavistock Institute of Human Relations.
Designing effective labour market policy in Europe
Creative Digital Futures Lab
