Journey to Transformation

At the 2023 UK Evaluation Society presentation, we synthesised our experience with national and international non-governmental organisations, focusing on the pragmatic application of Kimberlé Crenshaw's intersectionality and the Data Feminism principles of Catherine D'Ignazio and Lauren F. Klein while addressing ethical considerations and strategies. Our presentation, Negotiating Feminis...

Please donate to the Maui Strong Fund to support victims of the fire. The Maui Strong Fund is providing financial resources to support the immediate and long-term recovery needs for the people and places affected by the devastating Maui wildfires. In this episode, we delved into the topic of Greenpeace's protest at the residence of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. This protest was sparked by the UK...

📬 Fan Mail Frenzy! Lauren and Teia dive deep into the mailbag this week, uncovering some juicy challenges from listeners. Why? Because they dare to ask the tough questions! And let's not forget – exclusive behind-the-scenes van pics on the way. Vantastic, right? 🎯 Main Event: Dissecting Disaggregated Data! Ever felt like "disaggregated data" sounds like a fancy dish at a posh restaurant? We’ll b...

Lauren and Teia take a close look at the buzz around the 'Triple Nexus' approach. It's about weaving humanitarian aid, development, and peace-building into one strategy, but is it really a novel idea? Tune in as your hosts unpack the Triple Nexus approach. They'll separate the hype from the substance and explore if organisations claiming to 'do the nexus differently' are really onto something new....

In this episode of Journey to Transformation, Lauren and Teia take on the concept of cultural relativism and its entanglement with ethical conflicts in international development. Picture a religious holiday dinner – your family tradition might dictate turkey, while another household might insist on pancakes and spam. Can one impose their tradition onto another? The concept of cultural relativism a...

In part two of our deep dive into conflict sensitivity, hosts Lauren and Teia further unravel this critical approach. Conflict sensitivity – it’s more than just a buzzword; it's an essential development toolkit. But what exactly is it, and how does it shape our work in crisis-affected regions? What implications does it have for humanitarian efforts, and how can we apply it effectively? Lauren and...

This week, Lauren and Teia discuss conflict sensitivity. It's more than just an academic concept; it's an intrinsic part of any transformative process that warrants thoughtful understanding. We don't shy away from the tough stuff. Ethical challenges? We discuss them. Delicate dilemmas? Absolutely. Surprising trade-offs? They're on the table too. We navigate these complexities with transparency and...

Teia and Lauren ARE BACK. This time traversing the realm of Participatory Action Research. They exchange academia for the actual, revealing the power of context and genuine conversations. It's an informative dive into the complexities of community dynamics and how evaluators' identities play a significant role in uncovering authentic narratives. Tune in for an insightful discussion peppered with h...

On the back of some thought-inducing conversations recently, Lauren and Teia tackle 'white allyship'. What does it mean? How does a white person know when they are (or not) a white ally? What does this look like in our everyday interactions? We take you from the coffee shop to the check out counter and to the organisation you work for... WARNING: This episode might be a lot for some white people....

In this enlightening episode of our podcast, we delve deep into the amusing yet significant terrain of the 'Saviour Complex' and the 'Superhero Complex.' Particularly common amongst high achievers and workaholics, these fascinating psychological phenomena could be affecting you or those close to you. Are you the kind of person who's always switched 'on', tirelessly striving to provide for those ar...

In this enlightening episode of our podcast, we delve deep into the amusing yet significant terrain of the 'Saviour Complex' and the 'Superhero Complex.' Particularly common amongst high achievers and workaholics, these fascinating psychological phenomena could be affecting you or those close to you. Are you the kind of person who's always switched 'on', tirelessly striving to provide for those ar...

Values and Jurassic Park were an unexpected meet-up in this episode. Lauren and Teia talk about a decision that echoed the cautionary wisdom of Dr Ian Malcolm from Jurassic Park: We were so preoccupied with whether we could that we didn't stop to think if we should. The decision? To cease work until they were certain that the delivery genuinely reflected core values. This episode explores the cros...

In this episode, we unpack the complex issue of the right to protest, using the recent protests at the King’s coronation as a case study. We delve into the implications of the arrests made during these protests, the controversy surrounding new protest-related legislation in the UK, and discuss the balance between freedom of expression and public safety. Join us as we explore the delicate dance bet...

Join us for a wild ride as the World Bank evolves under new leader Ajay Banga, tackling Fragility, Conflict, and Violence while navigating power dynamics and the controversial Gentlemen's Agreement. We talk development intrigue, power plays, and green ambitions in this thrilling tale of transformation. We briefly mention the recent Coronation. We're got more to say...stay tuned for an extra episod...

Join Lauren and Teia as they share their lively adventures at Camp Quirky, the captivating van life festival in the UK. Listen to how Teia delivered an inspiring self-defence class tailored for van life owners and the duo's spirited interactions with fellow van enthusiasts. Inspired by a new space at Camp Quirky called "Camp Queerky", this got Lauren and Teia thinking about safe spaces, what actua...

In this podcast episode, we discuss the book "Factfulness" by Hans Rosling and its key themes, including challenging misconceptions and adopting a fact-based understanding of global trends. The episode delves into the "negativity bias," a psychological phenomenon that leads us to perceive the world as more negative than it is. We explore its implications on decision-making, policy-making, and publ...

In this second instalment of our engaging discussion on Oxfam's Inclusive Language Guide, Lauren and Teia dive deeper into the content, examining the guide's specific suggestions like using "partner" and "parenthood" as more inclusive language alternatives. They candidly share their opinions on putting these recommendations into practice and ponder the question: Is there such a thing as too inclus...

In part one of this two-part series, Lauren and Teia examine the recent controversy surrounding Oxfam's Inclusive Language Guide, exploring the motivations behind its creation, the reactions it has sparked, and the implications it has for broader conversations around inclusion and language. Throughout the episode, Teia and Lauren provide a nuanced and engaging analysis of the guide and the debates...

It's our 60th episode, and Lauren's going solo! She takes us on an insightful journey into the world of Talk to Loop with special guests Alex Ross, the Director of Talk to Loop and Mpala Nkonkomalimba, a Monitoring and Evaluation specialist. Talk to Loop is a groundbreaking feedback platform revolutionising the humanitarian and development sector, fostering inclusivity, responsiveness, and account...

Get ready to dive headfirst into the mysterious realm of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in the nonprofit sector with your trusty guides, Lauren and Teia! In this episode of Journey to Transformation, they embark on a fun, investigative, and informative adventure unravelling the hidden truths behind NDAs. They'll take you on a roller coaster ride through the ethical twists and turns of NDAs, expl...

In this captivating and insightful episode, Teia shares her upcoming three-week clinical trial adventure with listeners. As she embarks on this unique journey, Lauren and Teia discuss the challenges and benefits of participating in clinical trials, emphasising the importance of staying informed and asking questions about one's health. They also delve into the dynamics of hierarchy, gender, and pow...

Lauren and Teia are back with another spicy episode. This time, they delve into the often-unquestioned power of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and its Development Assistance Committee (DAC) criteria. Relevance, Coherence, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Impact and Sustainability are the criteria included in this framework. They question how this evaluation criterion h...

In Part 2 of The Feminist Shake Up hosts Teia and Lauren continue their discussion with the founders of We are Feminist Leaders, Leila and Natalie. The conversation centres around the challenges of implementing feminist principles in organisational structures, as well as the importance of self-care in activism and leadership. The hosts and guests touch on topics such as the perpetuation of harmful...

In this episode, hosts Lauren and Teia sit down with Leila Billing and Natalie Brook, the co-founders of We Are Feminist Leaders, to explore the need for a new kind of leadership in the non-profit sector, one that is guided by feminist principles and values. They discuss the challenges of addressing decades of colonial, white-supremacist, protectionist, and competitive mindsets and the importance...

In this episode, Lauren and Teia explore the concept of an "Equity Pause" - a critical time for organizations and individuals to pause and reflect on who may be excluded from an evaluation, project, or programme. They discuss how this reflection is an important framework and tool for any non-profit organization or company to be proactive about not causing harm and promoting equity in daily practic...