The journey and challenges in measuring sustainable water in Oxfam’s impact evaluations with the HWISE Network

Jaynie Vonk Real Geek, Water

“It’s easy to see that water is an issue the world over. Either too much, too little or unsafe” How can we effectively measure sustainable water? How can we understand the impact and effectiveness of our work in relation to water insecurity?  For World Water Day 2020, The Real Geek Series discusses how research, measurement and evaluation are essential tools …

Assessing the positive impact of business schools

Ruth Mhlanga Economics, Private sector

Creating a positive impact for society has not been considered core to business schools, but demand has steadily increased in the past decade. The Positive Impact Rating responds to these demands. Whilst business schools are usually rated on factors such as alumni salary, employment rate and return on investment of graduates, The Positive Impact Rating (PIR) is a new rating conducted by students, for student. The rating looks beyond contribution …

Communicating the vision of a good life for all within planetary limits

Julia Steinberger General, Natural Resources, Research

Is it possible to achieve a sustainable future where the social needs of all are met without exhausting the planet’s resources? Dr Julia Steinberger shares lessons learnt from communicating her research findings. Earlier this year, my colleagues and I published an article entitled “A Good Life For All Within Planetary Boundaries” in Nature Sustainability. In this article, we aimed to …

Novel partnerships in an era of global environmental change

Georgina Cundill Kemp Climate Change, Research

The sustainability research community needs to develop new alliances if they want to have real impact argues Georgina Cundill Kemp, Senior Program Officer at the International Development Research Centre in Canada. “He who becomes the slave of habit, who follows the same routes every day, who never changes pace, who does not risk and change the color of his clothes, who does not speak …

How programme learning in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) led to piloting a new approach to governance and protection

Annabel Morrissey Governance, Humanitarian, Protection

As we publish a new research report, Protection and Governance: Linking good practice in protection and governance programmes in the DRC, Annabel Morrissey reflects on what Oxfam has learnt about the cross over between governance and protection and how this learning is being used. hen, for the first time ever in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), people refused to …

Measuring WASH sustainability in a Payment by Results context

Mimi Coultas Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

Payment by Results (PbR) is bringing new ways to fund water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programmes. Here Mimi Coultas from Plan International UK, reflects on a recent joint side-event at WEDC Conference which explored the opportunities and challenges to this new way of funding.  ustainability of WASH programmes is a key concern for everyone involved in the sector: country governments, …