Will Allen

Human ethics protocols for independent research and evaluation Fillable ethics protocols for independent social research and evaluation, designed for self-checks or collaborative peer review in applied projects.

This complementary page includes the downloadable protocols and guidance for running collaborative peer review processes - learningforsustainability.net/human-ethics...

Ethics review for independent research and evaluation A practical model for a collaborative ethics review in applied and independent research, including structured peer review and documented reflection.

A collaborative approach to ethics review in applied and multi-actor work.🧪🌍

For independent researchers and evaluators without ready access to institutional review, this page outlines a practical peer review model that makes ethical judgement visible.

learningforsustainability.net/human-ethics...

Nature underpins the economy: lessons from the IPBES business assessment A practice-focused reflection on the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment and what it means for organisational strategy, governance and systemic risk.

🧪🌍 Nature underpins the economy.

The new IPBES Business & Biodiversity Assessment frames biodiversity loss as systemic economic risk – and calls for stronger governance and organisational capability.

A short reflection: learningforsustainability.net/post/nature-...

Evaluation in complex settings: reflections on practice and evaluator roles - learningforsustainability.net Reflections on evaluator roles and practice in complexity-aware MEL, sharing five grounded patterns for learning, adaptation, and strategic insight.

In complex systems work, evaluation supports learning and adaptation as change unfolds, not just end-point judgement. I reflect on five recurring patterns in complexity-aware MEL and what this means for evaluator roles in practice. 🌍🧪

learningforsustainability.net/post/evaluat...

Evaluation as design: complexity, place, and continuity A post on complexity-aware evaluation as a design practice in long-term, place-based and multi-actor settings.

Evaluation in complex, place-based work is not just about methods 🧪🌍

When programmes end but places and responsibilities continue, evaluation becomes part of the design work — shaping how learning and accountability carry forward.

learningforsustainability.net/post/evaluat...

The Shape of Silence - Hawke's Bay, NZ.

At dawn, the trees at Lake Tūtira were barely more than shadows in the fog. As the sun lifted, their shapes emerged—brief, delicate silhouettes—before the light burned the mist away and the magic dissolved into the everyday.

#photography #landscape #nz #fog

A common misunderstanding in systems change: if we map the system well enough, uncertainty will reduce.

In practice, the map mainly helps people have better conversations about choices.

Monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) – overview and resources Resources and strategies to support monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) for systems change and sustainability work.

Indicators don’t speak for themselves.

They only make sense through judgement, context, and conversation, especially in environmental and science-based work. 🌍 🧪

Some MEL resources and reflections shaped by practice here:
learningforsustainability.net/evaluation/

Human ethics for independent researchers and evaluators Introduces human ethics as a practical foundation for independent research and evaluation, with guidance, protocols, and reflective resources for applied and participatory work.

Ethical practice in research isn’t just about forms or approvals. 🧪

It’s about judgement, relationships, and care over time, especially when working outside formal systems.

I’ve pulled together a knowledge hub of practical protocols and resources here:
learningforsustainability.net/human-ethics/

"Saving the world requires saving democracy. That requires well-informed citizens. Conservation, environment, poverty, community, education, family, health, economy—these combine to make one quest: liberty and justice for all. Whether one's special emphasis is global warming or child welfare, the cause is the same cause. And justice comes from the same place being human comes from: compassion." —Carl Safina

Listen to Carl. It's all the same cause:
(My drawing of a Redstart.) 🧪🐡🌿🌎

One thing I keep seeing: ethics works best when it’s discussed early, together, and revisited – not treated as a one-off hurdle.

Human ethics for independent researchers and evaluators Introduces human ethics as a practical foundation for independent research and evaluation, with guidance, protocols, and reflective resources for applied and participatory work.

Ethical practice in research isn’t just about forms or approvals.

It’s about judgement, relationships, and care over time, especially when working outside formal systems.

I’ve pulled together a knowledge hub of practical protocols and resources here:
learningforsustainability.net/human-ethics/

A common misunderstanding in systems change: if we map the system well enough, uncertainty will reduce.

In practice, the map mainly helps people have better conversations about choices.

How to change the world from your little place in it?
***
Speak about your passions a little.

Do what you’re scared of a little.

Challenge your tribe a little.

Pause before you react a little.

Believe that everyone is struggling a little.

Spread hope a little.

Love yourself at least a little.

Working together in a polycrisis This post reflects on collaboration and learning as necessary social and institutional infrastructure in a polycrisis.

We talk a lot about integration and systems change, but what actually holds that work together over time?

Often it’s the invisible layer of collaboration and learning infrastructure that’s missing 🧪

A new reflection on what that means in a polycrisis:
learningforsustainability.net/post/working...

Such an important reflection. It echoes much of what we see in evaluation and systems change work—where claims of “objectivity” can hide whose knowledge counts. In complex lived contexts, self-report isn’t secondary data; it’s often how harm, adaptation, and recovery first become visible.

Indicators, judgement, and adaptation in complex systems A reflective post on how indicators are used in practice and how revisiting indicators can help learning and adaptation.

Indicators are often treated as neutral. In practice, they only make sense through judgement, conversation, and institutional context 🧪

Why indicators need to be revisited if they are to support constructive adaptation rather than constrain it.
learningforsustainability.net/post/indicat...

Working together in a polycrisis This post reflects on collaboration and learning as necessary social and institutional infrastructure in a polycrisis.

We talk a lot about integration and systems change, but what actually holds that work together over time?

Often it’s the invisible layer of collaboration and learning infrastructure that’s missing 🧪

A new reflection on what that means in a polycrisis:
learningforsustainability.net/post/working...

Reflective and reflexive practice Overview of reflective practice, its use in professional learning, and how it supports work in sustainability and complex systems.

Making space to reflect and adapt in our work isn’t always easy, yet it feels more important than ever.

I’ve gathered a few resources to support reflective and reflexive practice in complex, multi-actor settings.

🔗 learningforsustainability.net/reflective-p...

COP30 and the patterns of long-term change Post looking at COP30 through a transition lens, outlining what COPs contribute, where they fall short, and how wider change unfolds.

My new post has some thoughts on COP30, not as a stand-alone event but as one punctuation point in a much wider climate transition. These gatherings still matter, but they will only ever be one part of a much wider shift.

learningforsustainability.net/post/cop30/

Chats open - let us know if you would like to be added to (or removed from) our TIP starter pack!

go.bsky.app/JrihoW5

Eight lessons that support long-term work in multi-actor settings A reflective post on eight lessons for long-term, multi-actor practice, drawing on place-based programmes and wider research to explore governance, learning, and collaboration over time.

Working with place over time is rarely tidy. Certain patterns appear when long-term, multi-actor work starts to find its footing.

A reflective post drawing out eight lessons for place-based practice. 🧪

learningforsustainability.net/post/working...

#Collaboration #Learning #LfSinsights

Working across cultures - learningforsustainability.net Learn how cultural awareness and communication skills improve collaboration across diverse settings.

Working with place over time is rarely tidy. Certain patterns appear when long-term, multi-actor work starts to find its footing.

A reflective post drawing out eight lessons for place-based practice. 🧪

🔗 learningforsustainability.net/post/working...

#Collaboration #Learning #LfSinsights

Working well in complexity: seven foundational patterns Seven foundational patterns that help teams navigate uncertainty, make sense of change, and support clear decisions in complex environments.

Many of us work in complex, multi-actor settings. In this new piece I’ve pulled together seven practice patterns that support more constructive collective action. They draw from evaluation, systems thinking, co-design, and adaptation practice. 🧪

learningforsustainability.net/post/working...

COP30 and the patterns of long-term change Post looking at COP30 through a transition lens, outlining what COPs contribute, where they fall short, and how wider change unfolds.

My new post has some thoughts on COP30, not as a stand-alone event but as one punctuation point in a much wider climate transition. These gatherings still matter, but they will only ever be one part of a much wider shift.

learningforsustainability.net/post/cop30/

Reflective and reflexive practice Overview of reflective practice, its use in professional learning, and how it supports work in sustainability and complex systems.

Making space to reflect and adapt in our work isn’t always easy, yet it feels more important than ever.

I’ve gathered a few resources to support reflective and reflexive practice in complex, multi-actor settings.

🔗 learningforsustainability.net/reflective-p...

Participatory action research: tackling today’s complex challenges - learningforsustainability.net Page highlights that participatory action research (PAR) helps create solutions that are both meaningful and sustainable.

How can participatory action research address complex challenges?

This LfS post explores collaboration, reflection action and co-design to empower groups for meaningful change.

learningforsustainability.net/post/par-for...

Rethinking scale in complex settings: reflections from practice A post exploring how scaling in complex settings is shifting from replication to supporting systemic and relational change.

Rethinking scaling in complex settings: reflections from practice learningforsustainability.net/post/scaling...

Rethinking scale in complex settings: reflections from practice A post exploring how scaling in complex settings is shifting from replication to supporting systemic and relational change.

Rethinking scaling in complex settings: reflections from practice learningforsustainability.net/post/scaling...

Participatory action research: tackling today’s complex challenges - learningforsustainability.net Page highlights that participatory action research (PAR) helps create solutions that are both meaningful and sustainable.

How can participatory action research address complex challenges?

This LfS post explores collaboration, reflection action and co-design to empower groups for meaningful change.

learningforsustainability.net/post/par-for...