ORCID Profile
0000-0002-0680-7214
Current Organisation
Institute of Environmental Sciences and Research
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Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 07-07-2021
Abstract: The Coronavirus pandemic of 2019–20 (COVID-19) affected multiple social determinants of health (SDH) across the globe, including in New Zealand, exacerbating health inequities. Understanding these system dynamics can support decision making for the pandemic response and recovery measures. This study combined a scoping review with a causal loop diagram to further understanding of the connections between SDH, pandemic measures, and both short- and long-term outcomes in New Zealand. The causal loop diagram showed the reinforcing nature of structural SDH, such as colonization and socio-economic influences, on health inequities. While balancing actions taken by government eliminated COVID-19, the diagram showed that existing structural SDH inequities could increase health inequities in the longer term, unless the opportunity is taken for socio-economic policies to be reset. Such policy resets would be difficult to implement, as they are at odds with the current socio-economic system. The causal loop diagram highlighted that SDH significantly influenced the dynamics of the COVID-19 impact and response, pointing to a need for purposeful systemic action to disrupt the reinforcing loops which increase health inequities over time. This will require strong systems leadership, and coordination between policy makers and implementation at local level.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 28-07-2023
Abstract: Many of society’s most pressing problems, such as climate change, poverty, and waste, are categorized as “wicked” problems because they are seemingly resistant to change. Interventions designed to address these problems can produce unintended consequences, which then perpetuate the problem. Evaluating the effectiveness of such interventions is challenging and requires understanding of the social systems in which the problems are embedded. Multimethodology approaches can support such holistic understanding by combining different methodologies which complement and overlap with each other. This article reports on a study that combined two different methodologies—realist review and qualitative system dynamics. The result was a program theory for waste minimization interventions in Aotearoa New Zealand and a causal loop diagram, which allowed us to identify potential leverage points for change. The two methodologies highlighted different aspects of the problem in complementary ways. For ex le, the first program theory proposition emphasized the important role of people who were critically conscious of the need for sustainability, while the causal loop diagram showed that there needed to be enough critically conscious people for change to be embedded in the system. The program theory’s third and fourth propositions noted the important role of leadership and resource allocation in shifting interventions away from waste management initiatives, such as recycling plastic bags, towards waste minimization initiatives, such as banning single-use plastic bags. The causal loop diagram demonstrated why resource allocation to waste management initiatives, such as recycling, are not effective in addressing the overall problem of waste by showing the feedback loops that operate in the system. Such insights show that realist reviews and qualitative system dynamics can usefully complement each other for greater understanding of wicked problems.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2021
Abstract: The effects of waste on the environment and human health continue to increase despite behavioral, technological and policy actions for the management and minimization of waste. We plan to undertake a realist review of waste management and minimization interventions within New Zealand to inform effective approaches to waste minimization and management interventions. This protocol paper describes the steps of the realist review, including the objectives, theoretical frameworks and steps used. Realist review is a theory guided approach that seeks to understand the context-mechanism-outcome configuration of an intervention and generate insights on what works for whom, under what conditions and how. The protocol presents an integrated working theoretical framework comprising of three social theories (Social Learning Theory, Collective Action Theory and Social Practice theory), set within an indigenous Māori implementation framework, He Pikinga Waiora. The initial program theory generated from a first stage rapid review is presented. This initial program theory will be tested through a full literature review and analysis, as well as participatory sense making workshops with key stakeholders. The review will help to generate insights on the generative causal mechanisms of waste minimization interventions in the context of New Zealand. This protocol emphasizes the initial program theory of change as a starting point for further review and design of improved interventions for waste minimization. Through identifying and testing the program theory, with insights from both indigenous and social practice theories, the proposed review will support the design of policies, programs and activities required to achieve the desired outcome of waste minimization in the context of New Zealand.
Location: New Zealand
No related grants have been discovered for Mathew Walton.