Abstract
Starting with the AES 2024 Conference theme of 'wayfinding' the paper reflects on how evaluators navigate time as well as space, with particular reference to how they incorporate qualitative approaches to 'futures thinking' into their evaluative practice. The paper takes a reflexive case study approach, drawing on a simple model of evaluative practice to review the role of futures thinking in evaluation of doctoral research projects, impact investments, social assistance, and development studies as an academic field. The paper focuses particularly on the role of 'backcasting', as well as deliberative processes and the causal mapping of narrative claims linking future possibilities to current thinking and activities.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Evaluation Journal of Australasia |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Publication status | Acceptance date - 30 Oct 2024 |
Keywords
- Anticipation; Backcasting; Causal Mapping; Development Studies; Evaluation; Future Studies