STEPS Pathways Methods

PART 7

Practical tasks and stages

Professor Andy Stirling

Co-director, STEPS Centre

www.steps-centre.org

www.sussex.ac.uk/spru

www.multicriteria-mapping.org

SCOPING breadth of contexts

GROUNDING depth of particularities

TRIANGULATING relations and perspectives

STEPS METHODOLOGY

Do-it-yourself panels

Power tools

Co-operative research

Accountability process

Critical web access

Participatory design

Dissonance exploration

Historiographic research

Futures literatures

Extended foresight

Imaginaries analysis

Visioning / backcasting

Cross-scenario exploring

Open space approaches

Participatory soft systems

Participatory appraisal

Ethnographic immersion

Targeted focus groups

Iterative questionnaire

Iterative group MCM

Deliberative dissensus

Bring power to powerless

Critical literature review

Influence mapping

Alternatives assessment

Millstone critical realism

Social network analysis

In-depth case study

Discourse analysis

Semantic structures

Top-bottom comparison

Semi-structured IVs

Empathetic role play

In-depth, open IVs

participant observation

MCM interviews

Iterative Q method

Cross-frame interrogation

Monitoring / surveillance

Uncertain hazard analysis

Natural experiment

Interdisciplinary challenge

Transdisciplinary oversight

Plural conditional advice

Open network analysis

Critical systematic review

Agent-based modelling

Repertory grids

Interactive models / GIS

Deliberative polling

Precautionary appraisal

Complex resilience analysis

Post-normal science

Sensitivity analysis

Interval analysis

Diversity mapping

... back to process:

Contrasting configurations of

methods are used in different

contexts to meet specific

methodological tasks at various

stages in the social appreciation of

alternative social, ecological and

technological pathways.

Each stage and task is thus

situated in a space defined by

different aspects of appraisal

(scoping, focusing and linking)

and by contrasting styles and

dimensions of particular methods

(outlined in the underlying grid).

In this way, the overarching STEPS

methodological framework helps

inform both the selection and

ordering of a diversity of methods

suitable for addressing different

aspects and dimensions in the

‘broadening out’ and ‘opening up’

of alternative pathways.

help appreciate alternative pathways

A: ENGAGE ACTORS – together:

1: review relevant histories

2: analyse associated networks

3: snowball salient interests

4: prioritise most marginal

5: examine power relations

6: identify basic pathway visions

7: be alert for hidden plurality

8: seek critical feedback

B: EXPLORE FRAMINGS

1: review relevant histories

2: elicit notions of systems

3: explore related narratives

4: address Sustainability values

5: scope key possible pathways

6: review aspects of incertitude

7: differentiate perspectives

8: seek critical feedback

D: REVEAL STRATEGIES

1: review relevant histories

2: confirm key protagonists

3: explore forms of agency

4: define possible interventions

5: review winners/losers

6: examine possible responses

7: establish accountabilities

8: seek critical feedback

C: MAP DYNAMICS for each pathway:

1: review relevant histories

2: explore challenges/opportunities

3: scrutinise likely shocks/stresses

4: look at actors’ strength/weakness

5: examine decision/branch points

6: identify winners/losers

7: attend to issues of power/politics

8: seek critical feedback

APPRECIATE

PATHWAYS