The search for satisfying methods in complex policy research: A journey spanning natural experimental methods, process tracing, systems thinking and community-based system dynamics
Audience: Public Format: Hybrid
Online lecture followed by Q & A
Thursday, 4 June 2026, 4pm to 5.30pm
In this talk, Dr Miriam Alvarado will introduce a motivating policy problem (a sugar-sweetened beverage tax in Barbados) and discuss the ways in which she has used a variety of methods and approaches, including interrupted time series analysis, process tracing, systems thinking and community-based system dynamics in an attempt to iteratively strengthen the quality of analytical insights and address the ‘what now/next’ question in relation to this policy. Along the way, Dr Alvarado and colleagues developed and used several thinking tools (e.g. ‘Work package Zero’), methodological guidance (steps to guide a systems-informed evaluation), and unusual combinations of existing methods (ITS and process tracing through an evidential pluralist lens).
Dr Alvarado will reflect on the lessons learned and experiences across these approaches, and discuss exciting areas for future methodological development.
Speaker(s): Dr Miriam Alvarado (University of Cambridge)
Series: DSPI Seminar Series
Venue:
VBR Department of Social Policy and Intervention
-
VBR Department of Social Policy and Intervention 32-42 Wellington Square (Barnett House) Oxford Oxfordshire OX1 2ER United Kingdom
Department: Social Policy and Intervention (Department)
Organiser: Professor David Humphreys
Host: DSPI
Register here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=G96VzPWXk0-0uv5ouFLPkT2uaizcmZ5ApE4BdJTNdBtUQUI4SVhLMVZPUkQ3NUhHSjRGQ0JOQ0lGOS4u
More info:
Booking is required for people outside of the Department of Social Policy and Intervention (DSPI). DSPI Members do not need to register.