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The Realist Lens - For Researchers Who Keep It Real

Alejandro Arguelles Bullon
Realist Evaluation
Realist Thinking
Program Theory
CMO Configuration
Context
Realist Review
Implementation Science
Realist Thematic Analysis
Realist Research
Global Health
Realist Trials
Randomized Controlled Trial
Mechanisms
Physiotherapy
Middle Range Theory
RAMESES Standards
Mental Health Education
Communication Partner Training
Behavioral Science
Realist Methods

The Realist Lens is a podcast that makes realist evaluation and synthesis accessible and easy to follow. Through relaxed conversations with expert guests, students, and practitioners, we explore key realist concepts like mechanisms, context, and outcomes. Whether you're new to realist approaches or more experienced, this podcast offers practical insights, real-world examples, and thoughtful reflec... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes40Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
How ToEducation

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Artwork for The Realist Lens

Latest Episodes

What can photographs, drawings, objects, music or stories reveal about why an intervention works for some people, but not for others?

Alejandro is joined by Dr Seán Paul Teeling, Assistant Professor at University College, to explore the use of creat... more

YouTube

What happens when policymakers need theory-informed evidence not next year, but next month?

Alejandro is joined by Sarah-Jane Fenton, Associate Professor of Mental Health Policy at the University of Birmingham, and Justin Aunger, a Research Fellow i... more

YouTube

What happens when nutrition research moves beyond asking whether an intervention works and starts examining why it works, for whom and under which conditions?

Alejandro is joined by Saffron Whyton, a PhD researcher at the University of Surrey whose ... more

YouTube

What happens when we bring behavioural science and realist research into the same conversation? And could the two approaches help address some of each other’s limitations?

Alejandro is joined by Dr Justin Aunger, Research Fellow at the University of... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Sarah-Jane Fenton
Associate Professor of Mental Health Policy, University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
Episode: Episode 38 – Rapid Realist Synthesis for Policy: The APRIL Approach with Sarah-Jane Fenton and Justin Aunger
Justin Aunger
Research fellow, University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
Episode: Episode 38 – Rapid Realist Synthesis for Policy: The APRIL Approach with Sarah-Jane Fenton and Justin Aunger
Saffron Whyton
PhD student at the University of Surrey focusing on plant-based diets in care homes
University of Surrey
Episode: Episode 37 – Realist Research, Nutrition and Plant-Based Care with Saffron Whyton
Andrew Booth
Professor in evidence synthesis and realist methods
University of Sheffield
Episode: Episode 35 – The Elephant in the Room: Using (or Not Using) AI in Realist Research with Andrew Booth
Yvonne Fitzmaurice
Experienced clinician and educator specializing in speech and language therapy; working on CPT in curriculum contexts at University of Galway.
University of Galway
Episode: Episode 34 – Realist Review of Communication Partner Training after Stroke with Yvonne Fitzmaurice
Brad Astbury
Associate Professor of Health Systems Evaluation
University of Melbourne
Episode: Episode 33 – Realist Evaluation in Commissioned Settings with Brad Astbury
Deirdre McGrath
Lecturer in nursing; expert in exercise oncology and stakeholder co-production
Queen's University Belfast
Episode: Episode 32 – Co-Design in Realist Evaluation and Exercise Oncology with Deirdre McGrath
Kenneth Yakubu
Researcher at the intersection of health systems, global health governance, implementation research, health equity and realist thinking
George Institute for Global Health
Episode: Episode 31 – Realist Research Across Ways of Knowing with Kenneth Yakubu
Prashanth Srinivas
Guest expert in realist evaluation and health systems research
Institute of Public Health, Bangalore
Episode: Episode 30 – Realist Evaluation and Health Systems with Prashanth Srinivas

Host

Alejandro
Host of The Realist Lens

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 11 ratings
  • Easy language and engaging

    Just finished this first episode - where was this podcast when I started getting into realist methods?!? I will absolutely be recommending this to aspiring realist researchers - thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LeahFullegar
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Excellent overview of realist methods with actionable tips for researchers.
Guests bring real-world experience and transparent reasoning.
Clear, practical discussions that translate complex ideas into doable steps.
Would-be guests should bring rigorous thinking and collaborative spirit.
Strong balance of theory and practice appealing to researchers and practitioners alike.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#151
United Kingdom/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#37
France/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#135
Australia/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#225
Germany/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#31
Chile/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#57
Ireland/Education/How To

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 36 –Bringing Behavioural Science and Realist Research Together with Justin Aunger
Q: What was the main problem you were trying to solve by integrating realist thinking with behavioral science?
He describes the aim of creating a common language to describe interventions, their components, and how they trigger changes in reasoning, so findings can transfer across contexts and be more usable for future intervention design.
Episode 36 –Bringing Behavioural Science and Realist Research Together with Justin Aunger
Q: Would you mind just sharing a little quick background about yourself, who you are and your research interests?
Justin explains his role as a research fellow at the University of Birmingham, with a background spanning behavioral science and realist methods, and outlines his work in patient safety and health services research.
Episode 35 – The Elephant in the Room: Using (or Not Using) AI in Realist Research with Andrew Booth
Q: What three tips would you give for using AI responsibly in realist research?
Be transparent about AI usage, maintain the human-in-the-loop for evaluation, and use a well-structured prompting framework like PETCOF to guide AI outputs.
Episode 35 – The Elephant in the Room: Using (or Not Using) AI in Realist Research with Andrew Booth
Q: What are the main risks researchers should be aware of when using AI in realist work?
Hallucinations and superficial outputs are major risks, especially if prompts are poorly designed or if AI is used on a blank slate; researchers must verify sources and maintain critical judgment throughout.
Episode 35 – The Elephant in the Room: Using (or Not Using) AI in Realist Research with Andrew Booth
Q: Where do you see the strongest potential for AI in realist research and why?
AI can enhance existing practices, particularly by providing a sounding board for ideas, supporting initial program theory development, and helping with efficient literature processing, while keeping the human in the loop to ensure theoretical and contextual nuance.

Audience Metrics

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The Realist Lens launched a year ago and published 40 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Realist Lens?

Recent guests on The Realist Lens include:

1. Sarah-Jane Fenton
2. Justin Aunger
3. Saffron Whyton
4. Andrew Booth
5. Yvonne Fitzmaurice
6. Brad Astbury
7. Deirdre McGrath
8. Kenneth Yakubu

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