The Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It Real

Alejandro 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 building empathy in mental health education, and what Zoe’s findings reveal about preparing health profession students to better understand and support mental wellbeing.Zoe also shares practical advice for anyone grappling with realist evaluation and synthesis: her step-by-step tips for developing theories, the lessons she’s learned from combing through hundreds of articles, and her top three takeaways for building programme theories that actually hold up in practice.

How 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 of what it takes to design analysis that is both rigorous and realistic. He explains when and why techniques like Qualitative Comparative Analysis, process tracing, link coding, or structural equation modelling might be best suited — and how to combine them without losing analytical coherence.You’ll hear practical tips for planning analysis from dayone, managing complexity with a feasible number of CMO configurations, and staying aligned with realist principles even under pressure. Whether you’re new to realist evaluation or refining your analytical approach, this episode will give you a grounded framework for making your analysis work harder and smarter.

What 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 developing “mechanism concepts,” Dimitri shares why they matter for theory-building and how they can help researchers move their CMOCs towards robust middle-range theory.Whether you’re grappling with generalisation, refining mechanism development, or simply looking to sharpen your realist research practice, this episode will give you fresh tools and perspectives.

What 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 don’t, and what ittakes to build genuinely dialogical, theory-informed conversations with stakeholders.Whether you’re planning your first realist interview, refining programme theory, or simply looking for practical wisdom from someone who's been there — this episode is for you.

How 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 change, or just trying to make evaluation more human and honest—this episode is for you.

In 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.Highly recommended for PhD students, educators,healthcare researchers, and anyone exploring realist synthesis from scratch.

What 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 work in the healthcare workforce. Whether you’re new to realism or looking to energise your stakeholder engagement strategies, this episode is for you.DCC Project OutputsSurrey DCC Project OutputsNewsletter Example & IPT on OSFSurrey Women GPs Project OutputsUB Project – Big C Context (e.g., #MeToo, Black Lives Matter)NIHR Report on UB ProjectRealist Workforce SIG WebsiteRealist Workforce SIG

In 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.

What 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 sharpen your lens on realist evaluation and synthesis.

Kick 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.

In 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.