Experts come together for LSE and Future Narratives Lab collaboration

Photo: Guillermo Ortego, Future Narratives Lab

LSE Methodology and the Future Narratives Lab brought together 45 experts and leaders from across civil society, academic and philanthropy for a one-day workshop on Friday 5 June, held at the London School of Economics.

The workshop explored how some of the most common methodologies and conceptual tools used in efforts at social and political change can have serious limitations that risk reinforcing rather than challenging power, and explored responses and alternatives.

Delegates had an interactive discussion on the practical impacts of dominant approaches and the opportunities for new directions.Through a combination of formal presentations, panels and collaborative group discussions, the workshop explored shortcomings in values and attitudes surveys and opinion polling, novel approaches and knowledge frameworks being developed in the international development sector, the philosophical foundations of different modes of inquiry, the growth of the concept of ’narrative’ in the civil society sector, and inspiring research efforts that point to alternative political and economic possibilities.

Workshop organiser and LSE Methodology Research Officer, Dr Sophie Legros, said:

"The conversation with Future Narratives Lab’s Executive Director Daniel Stanley started a little over a year ago when he was introduced by a mutual contact to my doctoral research on the World Values Survey, where I use mixed methods to explore what some of the questions in this influential research instrument mean on the ground for residents in Colombia’s urban periphery. This connected to long-standing questions he had about the methods being used in political campaigning and by civil society organisations in the UK.

"As we discussed some of the challenges we encountered across our respective domains, we identified common patterns and decided to bring these ideas together in a collaborative event that would convene academics and civil society actors.

"This fit very well with my ESRC postdoctoral fellowship, one objective of which is to conduct dissemination activities to mobilise various actors - including academics, researchers in development institutions, NGOs and activists.

"The workshop surpassed our expectations - the energy and level of engagement in the room were uplifting. It felt like a rare space for constructive dialogue between academics, civil society organisations, funders and international development institutions."

When asked why an academic space like this is important to preserve, Dr Legros said:

"As many in the workshop reflected, academia produces a wealth of innovative tools and rich methodological thinking with real potential to strengthen the work of social and political organisations. However, civil society actors operate under significant time and resource pressures and methodological conversations can risk remaining within academic circles.

Bridging this gap is both valuable and necessary, making collaborative spaces like this workshop vital. There are relatively few platforms where social scientists, philosophers, civil society organisations, and funders can come together for genuine, constructive dialogue - and academic institutions are well-placed to host and facilitate these exchanges.

"The workshop also created a rare opportunity to connect conversations that often take place in parellel across different sectors and movements - including new economic thinking, feminist and decolonial agendas, and climate action - fostering cross-sector exchange and deliberate translation of concepts and language used across fields.

"The level of engagement and excitement for the event also demonstrated the value and demand for such spaces and we plan to use this space as a starting point for a broader shared agenda and collaborative work."

Photo: Guillermo Ortego, Future Narratives Lab