Shows
The Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 21 — Keeping It Real Part-Time with Michele WoodIn this episode of The Realist Lens, Alejandro is joined by Michele Wood, art psychotherapist in palliative care and part-time PhD researcher at Lancaster University, to explore what it really means to undertake a realist PhD alongside work, life, and personal commitments.Michele shares her journey into doctoral research after more than 30 years in clinical practice, where her interest in the role of technology in palliative care, particularly following the rapid changes during COVID-19, led her to investigate how and why new practices are adopted (or resisted) in complex healthcare settings.The conversation focuses on...
2026-02-1626 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 20 —Realist Thematic Analysis with Gareth WiltshireIn this episode of The Realist Lens, Alejandro is joined by Dr Gareth Wiltshire, sociologist and critical realist scholar at Loughborough University, to unpack realist thematic analysis, a method designed to move qualitative analysis beyondsurface-level patterns and into causal explanation.Gareth shares his intellectual journey into critical realism and explains how realist thematic analysis emerged as a response to longstanding binaries in qualitative research, between positivist and interpretivist approaches, and between descriptive coding and explanatory theory-building.The conversation explores how experiential, inferential, and dispositional themes work together to support generative causal explanation, helping researchers move...
2026-02-0251 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 19 - A Unicorn or an Oxymoron? The Realist Trial with Sebastian LemireIn this episode of The Realist Lens, Alejandro is joined by Sebastian Lemire, evaluator and methodological pluralist, to explore one of the most contested questions in contemporary realist inquiry: Is the realist trial a methodological impossibility, or a rare but viable unicorn?Drawing on his extensive experience in theory-based evaluation and a review of published realist trials, Sebastian shares his pragmatic view on the long-standing debate between realist evaluation and randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Rather than taking sides in ontological disputes, Sebastian invites listeners to focus on what different forms of evidence can do and how they...
2026-01-1923 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 18 — Across Cultures and Contexts: Kerryn O’Rourke on Realist Interviewing, Equity & Methodological CoherenceIn this episode of The Realist Lens, Alejandro is joined by Dr Kerryn O’Rourke, public health researcher, realist evaluator, and Co-Lead of the Realist Research, Evaluation and Learning Initiative at Charles Darwin University, to explore what it really means to do realist work across cultures ethically, methodologically, and epistemologically.Kerryn shares her journey from nursing and frontline public health practice into realist research, shaped by a long-standing commitment to health equity and social justice. Drawing on her PhD and subsequent evaluation work, she reflects on how realist methodology offered a way to make sense of complex so...
2026-01-0632 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 17 — From Clinic to Complexity: Pragati Hebbar on Realist Thinking, Policy & PracticeIn this episode, Alejandro is joined by Dr Pragati Hebbar, dentist, public health researcher, realist evaluator, and Assistant Director at the Institute of Public Health, Bangalore to explore what it looks like to transition from clinical practice into policy, embrace complexity, and use realist approaches to make sense of real-world implementation.Pragati walks us through the journey that led her from treating precancer cases in dentistry to questioning the systemic forces shaping tobacco use in India — andeventually into realist research. She shares how realist evaluation helped her unpack why one national tobacco control programme produces vastly different ou...
2025-12-2330 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 16 — The Realist PhD Journey with Sara DadaIn this episode, Alejandro is joined by Dr. Sara Dada, global health researcher, newly appointed Ad Astra Fellow at University College Dublin, and the mind behind a truly ambitious realist PhD. Sara walks us through what it means to build an entire doctoral thesis around realist principles: from developing initial programme theories, to conducting a realist review and realist evaluation in Zambia, to zooming out and constructing middle-range theories that speak to global health more broadly. She reflects candidly on the challenges and breakthroughs of realist work — including the messy, iterative nature of theory-building, the complexity of real-world contexts, and...
2025-12-0845 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 15 — The RAMESES standards with Joanne GreenhalghIn this episode, Alejandro sits down with Professor Joanne Greenhalgh, one of the core members behind the RAMESES standards — the evolving benchmarks that have shapedrealist evaluation and realist synthesis across the world.Joanne shares the story of how the standards came to life, their role in guiding quality and reporting in realist work, and why they were designed to evolve rather than prescribe. From anecdotes about working with Ray Pawson to reflections on teaching, mentoring, and community-building, Joanne offers candid insights on what makes realistresearch rigorous yet flexible. Whether you’re just starting your realist jour...
2025-11-2437 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 14 – Which Configuration Should I Use? Insights with Esther de Weger & Natascha van VoorenAlejandro sits down with Dr Esther de Weger and Dr Natascha van Vooren to unpack the evolving world of realist configurations, from the classic CMO (Context–Mechanism–Outcome) to newer variations like SCMO, ICMO, and beyond.Following on from last week's episode on CMOs, in this lively, reflective conversation, Esther and Natascha draw on their PhD experiences and current research to explore how small shifts in configuration can transform the way we understand causality in realist studies.They discuss how to choose the right configuration for your question, what happens when you “add a letter,” and why...
2025-11-1033 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 13 – CMO Configurations: A Conversation with Andrew HardingAlejandro sits down with Andrew Harding, Lecturer in Health Inequalities at Lancaster University, to unpack one of realist research’s most defining ideas: Context–Mechanism–Outcome (CMO) configurations.In this lively and practical conversation, Andy reflects on his decade-long realist journey, from PhD student to supervisor, sharing how CMOs have evolved from textbook theoryto hands-on analytic tools. Together, they explore what it really means to “think with CMOs,” how to avoid common traps when building them, and why flexibility and creativity are vital in realist analysis.Drawing on real-world examples from his own work on housing an...
2025-10-2723 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 12 - Thinking Like a Realist: A Conversation with Ray PawsonAlejandro sits down with Ray Pawson, Emeritus Professor at the University of Leeds and one of the founding thinkers behind realist evaluation and realist synthesis.In this landmark conversation, Ray reflects on nearly three decades of realist evaluation and realist synthesis, from its beginnings in the 1990s to its role today across healthcare, policy, and social research. Together, they explore how realist evaluation first challenged the dominance of experimental methods and why healthcare became a crucial testing ground for these ideas. Ray discusses his notion of “Groundhog Day” in evaluation and the need for cumu...
2025-10-1338 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 11 - Linking Context, Mechanisms, and Outcomes with Suzanne JacksonAlejandro sits down with Suzanne Jackson, Associate Professor Emerita at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. Suzanne has been a pioneer in participatory research for decades, and her work has shaped how realist approaches can be applied in complex community and health promotion contexts.Together, they dive into the art (and challenge) of linked coding of context–mechanism–outcome configurations in realist research. From the early development of dyads and triads, to recent adaptations making the method more participatory and responsive to community needs, Suzanne takes us through the evolution of this approach and...
2025-09-2936 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 10 - Building Programme Theory in Mental Health Education with Zoe McCormackAlejandro sits down with Zoe McCormack, a PhD researcher at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, whose very first PhD paper, a realist review , has just been published.Together, they dive into the art (and challenge) of building programme theory in realist research. From defining what programme theory really means, to navigating the messy process of scoping and refining ideas in complex educational contexts, Zoe opens up about the highs and hurdles of her research journey.We hear how stakeholder engagement shapes more meaningful theories, why exposure to lived experience is so vital for...
2025-09-1136 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 9 – Analytical Strategies in Realist Evaluation: Insights with Steffen BohniHow do you choose the right analytical strategy for a realistevaluation — and why does it matter so much?In this thoughtful and practical conversation, Alejandro isjoined by Steffen Bohni, Director General of Denmark’s National Research Centre for the Working Environment, to explore the critical role of analytical strategies in realist evaluation and synthesis. With over 25 years in evaluation, Steffen shares lessons from his collaborations with Sebastian Lemire and insights from two decades of realist literature.From the importance of methodological congruence tonavigating real-world constraints like time, budget, and messy data, Steffen offers a clear-eyed view...
2025-08-2624 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 8 – Generalisation in Realist Evaluation and Synthesis with Dimitri RenmansWhat does it really mean to generalise in realist research? How do we move from rich, contextual description to insights that are genuinely transferable?In this mind-expanding episode, Alejandro is joined by Assistant Professor Dimitri Renmans — health systems researcher and co-founder of the All-Realist Group — to unpack the challenge of generalisation without falling into the trap of purely statistical thinking. From the difference between statistical and theoretical generalisation to what “abstraction” really means (hint: it’s not just about categories), Dimitri offers practical ways to preserve context while still building knowledge that travels.Drawing on his work d...
2025-08-1331 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 7 - The Realist Interview with Ana ManzanoWhat is a realist interview, really? How do we design interviews and focus groups that go beyond collecting stories to actually testing and refining theory?In this engaging and thought-provoking episode, Alejandro is joined by Professor Ana Manzano — a leading thinker in realist methodology — to unpack exactly that. From the roots of theory-driven interviewing to the practical realities of asking “how” and “why,” Ana shares insights that will change how you think about realist research.Drawing on decades of experience in evaluating complex health and social interventions, Ana explores how realist interviews work, when (and why) they do...
2025-07-2937 min
The Wholesome WayS1.E4.(Mini) Resyncing Your Social Circle with Alejandro Argüelles BullónWhile recording Episode 1 Switching Off Your Mind’s Autopilot, Alejandro and I took a deep dive down the rabbit hole of Social Media. And I decided that this particularly powerful part deserved its own episode...In this bonus soundbite, cut from our first unedited conversation, Alejandro and I explore how social media has strayed from its original purpose of real human connection — and how we can consciously reframe and repurpose it to protect our peace of mind.If you’ve ever felt the love-hate relationship with your social media apps, this short but mighty conversation is pac...
2025-07-2215 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 6 - Making Realist Research Accessible with Kev HarrisHow can realist approaches become more accessible andimpactful for the communities they aim to serve? What does it mean to truly collaborate with practitioners, students, and local systems when doing realist evaluation?Join Alejandro and Dr Kevin Harris for an energising and thought-provoking conversation that explores just that. From Kev’s roots in sports and social change to his pioneering work with Sport England, this episode delves into practical ways to demystify realist research, engage stakeholders meaningfully, and develop evaluation strategies that are both rigorous and equitable.Whether you're navigating a realist PhD, supportinglocal systems ch...
2025-07-1441 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 5 - From Pharmacist to Realist: Learning to Embrace Complexity with Kristin XenosIn this inspiring episode, Alejandro is joined by Kristin Xenos, a practising pharmacist, realist PhD researcher and cohost of the clinical pharmacy podcast The Purple Pen Podcast to talk about the real journey into realist methodology—complete with uncertainty, lightbulb moments, and growing confidence.Kristin shares her experience transitioning from a traditionally positivist discipline into realist thinking as she tackles a complex topic: pharmacist prescribing education.Kristin's reflections are honest, encouraging, and deeply relatable—especially if you’ve ever doubted your method, questioned your scope, or needed a reminder that learning feels messy for a reason...
2025-06-2629 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 4 – Realist Research in Action: Navigating the Healthcare Workforce with Ruth AbramsWhat does it really take to explore workforce issues in healthcare using a realist lens? How can research stay grounded when you're working with overstretched systems and exhausted staff? Join Alejandro and Dr. Ruth Abrams for a conversation packed with practical wisdom and reflective insights. Ruth opens up about her journey into realist research, how context (with a big "C") shapes everything, and why creativity and community matter just as much as theory. From setting up special interest groups to influencing real-world commissioning decisions, this episode offers a front-row seat to the challenges and possibilities of doing meaningful realist...
2025-06-1336 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 3 - Retroduction and Realist Thinking with Justin JagoshIn this conversation, Justin Jagosh—Director of the Centre for the Advancement of Realist Evaluation and Synthesis—joins the podcast to unpack retroduction, a distinctive feature of the realist approach.Through metaphors, real-world examples, and decades of experience, Justin offers a remarkably accessible and rigorous guide to what retroduction is, how it differs from inductive and deductive reasoning, and how to actually do it in practice. He shares key tips for developing explanatory programme theories, navigating complex interventions, and avoiding common pitfalls in realist evaluation and synthesis.
2025-05-3038 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 2 – Ontology, Epistemology, and the Realist Lens with Ferdinand MukumbangWhat is the "realist lens"? Why does philosophy matter when you’re trying to keep research real and practical? Join Alejandro and Assistant Professor Ferdinand Mukumbang as they take you beyond the buzzwords of ontology and epistemology and into the heart of what makesrealist research distinct. In this accessible and experience-rich episode, Ferdie shares his personal journey from novice to thought leader, demystifies complex philosophical ideas, and explains how your worldview shapes your research from start to finish. Whether you’re just starting out or need a fresh way to explain realism to others, this conversation will help you shar...
2025-05-1643 min
The Wholesome WayS1.E1. Switching Off Your Mind's Autopilot with Alejandro Argüelles BullónTo kick off the very first season of the podcast - 'Finding the REAL you' - I sat down with a good friend of mine Alejandro, to talk about mental health. I have come to realise that we need to be 100% clear on our beliefs, values, and identity as a whole, if we want to find good health, personal growth and purpose in our lives.And that all starts with our state of mind.Are our thoughts about ourselves, and our past, present and future, leading us astray?Are we desperately...
2025-05-111h 08The Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealEpisode 1 - What is realist research? Geoff WongKick off The Realist Lens with Associate Professor Geoff Wong from Oxford as we dive into the foundations of realist research—what it is, why it matters, and how to get started. From generative causation to programme theories, this episode is your accessible, jargon-free gateway into the realist evaluation and synthesis world. Whether you're new or curious, this is where the journey begins.
2025-05-0234 minThe Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It RealIntroduction Episode - Alejandro Argüelles BullónIn this premiere episode, host Alejandro Argüelles Bullón shares the story behind The Realist Lens: why it was created, who it’s for, and what you can expect from upcoming episodes. Whether you're a seasoned realist researcher or just curious about how realist methods can make sense of complexity, Alejandro lays the foundation—clear, honest, and accessible. Hear what’s coming, why it matters, and why this podcast aims to make realist research more open and inclusive for everyone.
2025-05-0207 min
Don't Get A Therapist... Yet!The Most Effective Ways to Help Men with Anxiety with Alejandro Argüelles BullónWendy has the pleasure of welcoming Alejandro Argüelles Bullón from Gazing Red2Blue, a dedicated mental health advocate, who has also suffered from anxiety. Alejandro and Wendy discuss why anxiety in men is underdiagnosed, the differences between how men and women process anxiety and which therapies work best for most men. They also discuss dealing with anxiety performance and the use of medications to treat mental health issues. KEY TAKEAWAYS The genders experience anxiety differently. Anxiety in men is still being under diagnosed. Men respond well to men...
2024-11-131h 06