Advancing the Decolonisation Agenda Through an Indigenous Realist Evaluation Approach: A Case-Based Methodological Reflection

Background: Evaluation theory and practice have great potential in catalysing transformative change and furthering decoloniality in [global] health research in Indigenous or formerly colonised societies. Realist evaluation approach can be a good fit for promoting decolonisation due to its strong focus on context and causal mechanisms. Methods: Drawing on the authors’ work on strengthening health research capacity and using the ‘African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence’ (ARISE) programme as a case study, this paper includes methodological reflections on how the Indigenous realist evaluation was operationalised and stimulated the decolonisation discourse. Results: Findings show that the Indigenous lens adds value to the realist evaluation approach. First, the systematic interrogation of the power structures and dynamics within the programme helped uncover who (partner) has control over what resources and how the partnership perpetuates or reinforces (in)equity. The generative causal question was thus addressed by unearthing the mechanisms (e.g., autonomy/independence, empowerment, and control/ independence) triggered in contexts where there is allyship and shared interests and priorities between Global North and South partners. The ARISE financial support and the Bottom-Up approach (in defining research questions) were identified as a key resource and opportunities within the programme architecture. The Indigenous realist evaluator will play multiple roles, such as identifying appropriate methods—including Indigenous methods—to effectively test and refine the programme theories, judge the programme’s effectiveness, teach/learn about the programme theory, and advocate for actions promoting equity. Conclusion: We conclude that fusing the Indigenous principles with the realist evaluation approach Indigenizes the approach and furthers the decolonisation agenda. We hypothesise that the effectiveness of the Indigenous realist evaluation approach will differ across programmatic and implementation contexts and, therefore, encourage researchers to apply the approach, build evidence on its effectiveness, and further refine it.