STRIDE
Queen’s University Belfast
Problem
STRIDE believes that there are three main reasons why social impact programmes work, but also don’t work, or even cause harm.
- Good Design: Good intentions are not enough. Good programme design is produced by evidence-based methods such as logic modelling and systematic reviews.
- Implementation Science: A literacy programme from inner City London may not work in a South African township. The methods of participatory co-design and implementation science solve this problem.
- Rigorous Evaluation: Too often evaluations only measure outputs, such as, how many people attended a programme. We need to measure outcomes, that is, how does the programme improve people’s lives? The use of control groups and particularly methods such as randomised controlled trials (RCTs) tell us what works, what doesn’t work and what causes harm.
Solution
Fortunately, there are methods to create social impact programmes that work. STRIDE is a university-based consultancy firm at Queen’s University Belfast that specialises in social impact programmes that work.
At STRIDE, we would like to collaborate with governments, NGOs and businesses to ensure their social impact programmes are making measurable improvements in social outcomes e.g. in health, wellbeing, education, community engagement and social justice. For example, this can be through supporting a business’s work on corporate social responsibility (CSR), Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and compliance or social value.
At STRIDE we support organisations using our knowledge of social science evidence, methodological skills and international experience.
Over many years, STRIDE consultants have supported social impact programmes that have improved the outcomes of thousands of people across the world.
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