Nesta is hosting a resident to help us develop our evaluation capabilities in theory-based evaluation. Understanding which interventions work best is a key challenge for Nesta, especially when they take place in a complex setting, or when solutions to tricky policy problems are multi-layered or hyperlocalised. By understanding what works, we can enhance our social impact even further.

Stephen Miller will be embedded in our sustainable future and healthy life teams to support a range of projects using theory-based evaluation methods.

Stephen is an independent consultant with 20 years’ experience applying research and evaluation in social innovation contexts. He was previously director of delivery and impact at Power to Change, a charitable foundation championing community businesses in England. There he oversaw a multimillion-pound research and evaluation programme, building an evidence base used by central government and other funders. Theory-based evaluation was integral to this, regularly testing hypotheses to track impact across their funding and investment portfolio, and using this learning to inform further interventions, including a £36 million fund to insulate and decarbonise hundreds of community-owned buildings.

What are you working on at the moment at Nesta?

Stephen says: “I will be working across a number of flagship projects to support the team in planning theory-based evaluations. These include assessing whether a fund for green TV shows moves the dial on increasing awareness and appeal of home decarbonisation, and whether a place-based intervention aiming at reshaping the food environment can lead to healthier diets.”

“I’ll also be identifying other suitable projects for a theory-based evaluation, and support the sustainable future team in understanding how theory-based evaluation concepts can be used to inform decisions on whether to keep investing in projects and evaluate the impact of our portfolio of work on increasing the appeal of heat pumps.”

What excites you the most about your residency project?

Stephen says: “I’m excited about the potential for using theory-based evaluation alongside Nesta’s mission-oriented approach, to support the organisation to learn more about what works, for whom, under what circumstances. I am a strong believer that knowledge is most useful when it is applied to change the world for the better. I also have a strong interest in and passion for developing evaluation practice, so I hope to develop new insights through this residency that I can share with others too.”