Interview product as boundary object: how participatory research with event history calendars may support reflection and change in thinking and practice

Event history calendars (EHCs) are an effective participatory research method for gathering qualitative, time-series data. There is little understanding of the impact of EHCs on research participants and their organizations. We used EHC interviews to gather complex data on climate adaptation and resilience in wastewater infrastructure systems in Rhode Island, spanning 2010–2023. Two years after conducting EHC interviews, we conducted a survey to understand whether and how EHCs help support change in resilience thinking or practice. Results show participants found EHC interviews helpful for reflecting on resilience progress and identifying future needs. Results also show that respondents who prepared for interviews, saw their system history in a new light, and/or used completed EHCs as a boundary object in planning or regulatory processes. These respondents exhibited greater change in both resilience thinking and practice.