Alejandra Boni

Sustainability transitions research recognises that transforming energy, mobility, food, and other systems requires going beyond incremental, surface-level fixes to address the deeper drivers of system change. Yet these deeper drivers have not been systematically identified.In this paper, the authors argue that the Deep Transitions (DT) concept of rules provides a useful starting point. Rules are … from Identifying the deep drivers of system change: A rule-based approach to socio-technical system mapping

This valuable research report presents a framework for evaluating Transformative Innovation Policy (TIP) developed within the Transformative Innovation Policy Consortium (TIPC). It provides practical guidance for policymakers and researchers seeking to design evaluation approaches that support learning, experimentation and systemic change in innovation policy. It explores how evaluation approaches need to evolve in order to … from A Framework for Evaluating Transformative Innovation Policy

This journal article critically interrogates the core principles identified early in TIPC’s journey, and re-examining the directionality of these principles through the lens of the Capability Approach (CA). Transformative Innovation Policy (TIP) requires inclusive and participatory approaches that empower diverse actors to influence systemic change, thus reinforcing democratic engagement and shared agency in shaping transitions. … from A human capability approach to transformative innovation policy. Theoretical insights and practical implications for directionality

There is increasing recognition that public sectors in Western countries alone cannot tackle complex societal challenges. However, detailed research on the role of public agents in implementing collaborative approaches remains limited. This article examines how policy entrepreneurship strategies contribute to collaborative public sector innovation (CPSI) by shaping policy design processes in transformative innovation policy. Focusing … from Policy entrepreneurship in collaborative governance: transformative innovation in Catalonia’s sustainability transition

This policy document is a methodological guide designed to help policymakers, innovation practitioners, and facilitators design, structure, and implement Transformative Innovation Policies within place-based and challenge-oriented strategies, such as the RIS3CAT 2030 smart specialisation strategy of Catalonia. It provides conceptual frameworks, tools, principles, and examples to support systemic thinking about innovation aimed at structural change … from Draft support concept guide for making transformative innovation policies

This learning history report was produced by TIPC in 2022 and 2023 to document and reflect on the collaborative experiences of policymakers, practitioners, and researchers involved in early Transformative Innovation Policy experiments across several countries. The authors capture insights from policy engagements and learning spaces across different regions (including Europe, Africa, and Latin America) to … from Minding the gap between policymakers and researchers: The TIPC transformative learning history

Knowledge communities are crucial for systemic change, as they facilitate the co‑creation of actionable knowledge, support ongoing experimentation, and help embed transformative thinking into policy and practice. This journal article explores how communities of practice can be created and sustained to generate, integrate, and use the diverse knowledge needed for Transformative Innovation Policy. Using the … from Building a knowledge infrastructure for Transformative Innovation Policy (TIP): An analytical approach based on the experimental TIP conference 2022

This working tool was co-developed by Antonio Moya-Latorre and Alejandra Boni at INGENIO (CSIC-UPV), together with Íngrid Vives Rubio, Núria Jové Company, and Núria Bayó Puxan at the Government of Catalonia, to support the organisation and steering of collective action towards Shared Agendas – collaborative, multi-actor, and challenge-driven initiatives designed to transform the socio-economic model … from Tool: Transformative innovation initiatives in practice (TII) visual framework

This blog by Ani Choudhury and Sandra Boni sets out how a Formative Evaluation approach, using Transformative Outcomes, was applied to the development of regional Transformative Innovation policies in Bages, Catalonia. It is based on a publication on formative evaluation and regional policies for Transformative Innovation produced by Sandra Boni, Diana Velasco, Míriam Acebillo-Baqué, M. … from Formative Evaluation and regional Transformative Innovation policies: The case of Shared Agendas in Bages, Catalonia

Inspired by the human development values and capability approach that are in tune with its ethos, the Universidad de Ibagué developed a participatory process to build a comprehensive capabilities list for the university community and the external actors that cooperate with it. As a private institution serving a region beset by conflict, the university feels … from Expanding Epistemic Capability in Participatory Decision-Making Processes: The Universidad de Ibagué Capabilities List

This paper explores how the University as social entity has great potential to confront epistemic injustices by expanding epistemic capabilities. To do this, we primarily follow the contributions of scholars such as Miranda Fricker and José Medina. The epistemic capabilities and epistemic injustice nexus will be explored via two empirical cases: the first one is … from Epistemic Capabilities and Epistemic Injustice: What is the Role of Higher Education in Fostering Epistemic Contributions of Marginalized Knowledge Producers?

The Word version of the Dynamic Reflective Binnacle tool is suitable for online use as a live and open document that can be completed transparently – for example, using a shared document editor. It helps to encourage learning and reflexivity in experiments, and to maintain the link between systems transformation and the concrete actions and … from Tool: Dynamic Reflective Binnacle (Word version)

Observations from Sandra Boni, part of the 2022 TIP Conference organising team on the ‘live reflection and learning’ spaces at the conference followed by brief reflections from three participants at the event working in research and policy roles.   Let me start this short reflection by saying that the TIP Conference in January 2022 was … from Reflections from participants on relational learning at the TIP conference

This simple Miro tool was developed for the five-day ‘live reflection and learning’ journey at the TIP conference in 2022, to help guide participants through a day-by-day exploration of three cross-cutting conference aims: Networking Aligning visions Learning and unlearning Each day, participants were invited to answer a series of reflective questions, share their personal experiences … from Tool: Live reflection and learning at the TIP conference

Shared Agendas is an exploratory project which ran from October-November 2020. A TIPC team from Ingenio led a series of workshops aiming to implement transformative shared agendas into the framework of RIS3CAT 2021-2027. The main objective of the workshop cycle, attended by representatives of four different Catalan territorial entities: Terres de Lleida, Bages, B-30 and … from SHARED AGENDAS EXPLORATORY PROJECT

Highly complex and uncertain environments require experimentation and a different approach to evaluation.  This paper makes the case for a ‘formative evaluataion’ approach and explores the implications of following this approach for the skills, attitudes and values needed by those inovlved in the evaluation process. This article presents our approach to the evaluation of transformative … from Evaluating transformative innovation policy. Insights from two experimental policies

In this example learning history, participants in the Vinnova experiment discuss the experience of adding an active reflexive layer to work on transformation of the food system. Their insights highlight the importance of reflexivity in Transformative Innovation Policy experiments for: working with complexity; managing expectations and assumptions; coping with challenges and change; finding common ground … from Learning history: Mutual understanding and trust-building

This blog is an edited extract from an article exploring TIPC experiences of implementing formative evaluation, highlighting the skills, attitudes and values required from evaluators to strengthen trust, participatory engagement and a learning mindset in experiments.    Between 2019 and 2021, TIPC worked with partners to develop a formative approach to the evaluation of Transformative … from Reflexive practice in Transformative Innovation Policy: Six lessons for action researchers

These extracts show how the Dynamic Reflective Binnacle tool was used during the TIPC-Vinnova experiment on food systems in 2020 to process reflection and learning. The anonymised contributions of participants show how knowledge and attitudes shifted during the course of the process and reveal some of the issues that emerged. To download the tool and … from Using the Dynamic Reflective Binnacle at the experiment level

This worksheet can be printed and used in face-to-face meetings and workshops to encourage learning and reflexivity in experiments, and to maintain the link between systems transformation and the concrete actions and pathways portrayed in the flexible theory of change. The Dynamic Reflective Binnacle records and keeps track of changes in attitudes, interaction and knowledge … from Tool: Dynamic Reflective Binnacle (pdf version)

This in-depth article presents the TIPC approach to the evaluation of transformative innovation policies and practical experience of implementing this: in work on food policy with Sweden’s Innovation Agency (Vinnova), and in the ACT on NBS (Adaptive Cities through Nature Based Solutions) project. To be consistent with the principles and objectives of these policies, an … from Evaluating transformative innovation policy: Insights from two experimental policies

Transformative Innovation Policy aims at changes — in people, organisations and at institutional levels — in order to orientate socio-technical systems towards sustainability and justice. This presentation explains the significance of reflexive monitoring, evaluation and learning in this process, drawing on modes and cycles of learning in transitions to make distinctions between the process, outcome … from Reflexivity: Deepening and broadening MEL in experiments

A binnacle is a stand on the deck of a ship, in which navigational instruments are placed for easy and quick reference. The Dynamic Reflective Binnacle has been developed as an easy and quick tool for recording and keeping track of changes in attitudes, interactions and knowledge (leading to action) in Transformative Innovation Policy experiments. … from Introducing the Dynamic Reflective Binnacle

Presentation providing a practical and comprehensive overview of the methodology for formative evaluation with transformative outcomes, addressing the aims and purpose, the role of learning in sustainability transitions and evaluation, and second order learning, before walking through a six-step methodology. The authors introduce the steps that participants of a project, initiative or policy can take, … from Methodology for formative evaluation with transformative outcomes

This short extract from a presentation by Diana Velasco and Sandra Boni sets out how learning histories can be used in action research to enhance organisational learning and accelerate knowledge transfer. It explains how the Transformative Innovation Policy Consortium has approached this methodology within experiments to tell a story about topics within the engagement from … from Introducing the use of learning histories within experiments

In these slides from an event with the TIP community of practice in South Africa, Sandra Boni sets out the challenges of evaluating Transformative Innovation Policies and the principles of formative evaluation, before reflecting on the evaluation process – and the practice of applying sociotechnical transitions theory and transformative outcomes – within two TIPC experimental … from Transforming evaluations

In this edited workshop recording, Jordi Molas-Gallart and Sandra Boni present a ‘formative’ approach to the evaluation of Transformative Innovation Policies that is operational and adaptable to different contexts. Together, they introduce the core principles of formative evaluation, practical experiences of implementing this approach within the Transformative Innovation Policy Consortium membership, and allude to the … from Open Learning Series: A formative approach to the evaluation of Transformative Innovation Policies

This is a foundational text for the TIP evaluation process, termed ‘Formative Evaluation’. Transformative Innovation Policies (TIPs) assert that addressing the key challenges currently facing our societies requires profound changes in current socio-technical systems. To leverage such ‘socio-technical transitions’ calls for a different, broad mix of research and innovation policies, with particular attention being paid … from A formative approach to the evaluation of Transformative Innovation Policies

Esta nota de política conceptual fue desarrollada para los miembros del HUB. Explica el significado de experimentación como parte del enforque transformativo, los objetivos de la experimentación, conceptos claves asociados y algunas de las principales características que pueden ayudar a definir un experimento. … from Nota conceptual sobre experimentos en Política de Innovación Transformativa (versión en Español)

This policy note was developed for HUB members. It explains the meaning of experimentation as part of a transformative approach, aims of experimentation, other associated key concepts and some of the main characteristics that can help to define an experiment.   … from Concept note on experimentation in Transformative Innovation Policy (English version)

This short extract from the MOTION handbook introduces and explains the Theory of Change approach as a structured way of thinking about how and why change happens. It suggests that a Theory of Change is not simply a planning tool, but a framework for making explicit the assumptions, causal pathways and intended outcomes that link … from What is a Theory of Change?

This chapter presents two experiences of university policy design following experimental processes in the vein of transformative innovation principles. They have been developed at the Universidad Autónoma Latinoamericana in Antioquia and the Universidad de Ibagué in Tolima, both in Colombia. The two experiments have a specific directionality aligned with social and environmental purposes. They have … from Developing Transformative Innovation Through Policy Experimentation in Two Colombian Universities

The 2030 Agenda positioned Science, Technology and Innovation as crucial means for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper explores how a localised South-African policy experiment named the “Living Catchments Project” (LC Project) contributes towards the SDGs. This project is part of a portfolio of experiments to trigger innovation for transformative change in South … from The Role of Transformative Innovation for SDGs Localisation. Insights from the South-African ‘Living Catchments Project’

This blog considers the use of participatory methods based on discussions in 2021 at the Eu-SPRI Conference.  During the 2021 Eu-SPRI conference, Paula Kivimaa in her keynote speech highlighted the importance of including a social justice perspective in the design and implementation of transformative innovation policy.  With this idea in mind, we convened the track … from Participatory methods and methodologies for a more just transition: Reflections from the 2021 Eu-SPRI Conference

This research report explains how the Covid-19 pandemic may have led to second-order learning amongst the Transformative Innovation Policy Consortium (TIPC) community. The first component of the project was developed from May to August 2020 and built through a sample of 16 participants working as funders or practitioners from science, technology and innovation (STI) agencies … from SECOND-ORDER LEARNING FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: REPORT

This report by Sandra Boni and Paulina Terrazas introduces the methods and preliminary insights from research designed to trace ‘second-order learning’ effects stemming from the pandemic, understood as changes in beliefs, assumptions, points of view and behaviours relevant for transformation. The project, Second-Order Learning in Response to Covid-19′, seeks to understand the role of learning in … from SECOND-ORDER LEARNING FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: Preliminary insights

‘Learning is not child’s play; we cannot learn without pain’ is a quotation attributed to Aristotle – learning processes take time and involve stretching every aspect of ourselves. In this video from TIPC’s Nordic learning event in 2020, the team working on the Vinnova experiment reflect on the learning histories of the core team, consisting … from Learning histories of Vinnova

This TIPC policy brief outlines a emerging approach to assessing transformative innovation policies, which aim to address deep social and environmental challenges. It argues that traditional evaluation methods are insufficient for experimental, system‑changing policies and advocates for a formative, participatory, and learning‑oriented evaluation. Key principles include integrating evaluation with policy design and implementation, using diverse … from Key principles for a formative evaluation of Transformative Innovation Policy

This research policy brief argues that achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires a fundamental transformation of science, technology and innovation (STI) policy, not merely mainstreaming the goals into existing frameworks. It presents a Transformative Innovation Policy (TIP) approach that emphasises socio‑technical systems thinking to address the deep interconnections and trade‑offs among SDGs, advocates … from Addressing the Sustainable Development Goals through Transformative Innovation Policy