1. STEPS Pathways Methods
PART 7
Practical tasks and stages
Professor Andy Stirling
Co-director, STEPS Centre
www.steps-centre.org
www.sussex.ac.uk/spru
www.multicriteria-mapping.org

2. SCOPING
breadth of contexts
GROUNDING
depth of particularities
TRIANGULATING
relations and perspectives
STEPS METHODOLOGY
Do-it-yourself panels
Power tools
Co-operative research
Accountability process
Critical web access
Participatory design
Dissonance exploration
Historiographic research
Futures literatures
Extended foresight
Imaginaries analysis
Visioning / backcasting
Cross-scenario exploring
Open space approaches
Participatory soft systems
Participatory appraisal
Ethnographic immersion
Targeted focus groups
Iterative questionnaire
Iterative group MCM
Deliberative dissensus
Bring power to powerless
Critical literature review
Influence mapping
Alternatives assessment
Millstone critical realism
Social network analysis
In-depth case study
Discourse analysis
Semantic structures
Top-bottom comparison
Semi-structured IVs
Empathetic role play
In-depth, open IVs
participant observation
MCM interviews
Iterative Q method
Cross-frame interrogation
Monitoring / surveillance
Uncertain hazard analysis
Natural experiment
Interdisciplinary challenge
Transdisciplinary oversight
Plural conditional advice
Open network analysis
Critical systematic review
Agent-based modelling
Repertory grids
Interactive models / GIS
Deliberative polling
Precautionary appraisal
Complex resilience analysis
Post-normal science
Sensitivity analysis
Interval analysis
Diversity mapping
... back to process:
Contrasting configurations of
methods are used in different
contexts to meet specific
methodological tasks at various
stages in the social appreciation of
alternative social, ecological and
technological pathways.
Each stage and task is thus
situated in a space defined by
different aspects of appraisal
(scoping, focusing and linking)
and by contrasting styles and
dimensions of particular methods
(outlined in the underlying grid).
In this way, the overarching STEPS
methodological framework helps
inform both the selection and
ordering of a diversity of methods
suitable for addressing different
aspects and dimensions in the
‘broadening out’ and ‘opening up’
of alternative pathways.
help appreciate alternative pathways
A: ENGAGE ACTORS – together:
1: review relevant histories
2: analyse associated networks
3: snowball salient interests
4: prioritise most marginal
5: examine power relations
6: identify basic pathway visions
7: be alert for hidden plurality
8: seek critical feedback
B: EXPLORE FRAMINGS
1: review relevant histories
2: elicit notions of systems
3: explore related narratives
4: address Sustainability values
5: scope key possible pathways
6: review aspects of incertitude
7: differentiate perspectives
8: seek critical feedback
D: REVEAL STRATEGIES
1: review relevant histories
2: confirm key protagonists
3: explore forms of agency
4: define possible interventions
5: review winners/losers
6: examine possible responses
7: establish accountabilities
8: seek critical feedback
C: MAP DYNAMICS for each pathway:
1: review relevant histories
2: explore challenges/opportunities
3: scrutinise likely shocks/stresses
4: look at actors’ strength/weakness
5: examine decision/branch points
6: identify winners/losers
7: attend to issues of power/politics
8: seek critical feedback
APPRECIATE
PATHWAYS