SHARED Methodology

The SHARED methodology is a tailored approach for stakeholder engagement with evidence. It centres on managing relationships, ensuring cross-sectoral integration, and was founded on the principle of ensuring inclusive evidence-based decision-making. The SHARED methodology includes a combination of a five- phase framework, a set of principles that underpin the framework, and a series of applications for different contexts. SHARED works to strengthen the linkages across science, practice, and policy.

The SHARED methodology was developed to address critical gaps in decision- making processes, particularly in complex socio-ecological systems. It aims to foster more inclusive, evidence-based, and transformative decision-making by integrating diverse perspectives, knowledge systems, and behavioural insights.

Why is a structured process for inclusive, evidence-based decision-making needed?

The SHARED methodology was developed to address the following critical gaps:

  • Decision-Making Gaps: Decisions may be either not data-driven or fail to consider behavioural drivers or long-term outcomes. Existing approaches can lack the integration of behavioural science and participatory methods.
  • Need for Systems Thinking: The development and government sectors may be siloed while communities live in interconnected systems.
  • Demand for Evidence-Based Collaboration: Stakeholders need tools to interpret diverse evidence critically and collaboratively engage in decision-making processes.
  • Urgency for Transformative Impact: While incremental solutions can lead to transformative change, they are often inadequately positioned within transformative contexts that address pressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and socio- economic inequities.
  • Opportunities for Cross-Sectoral Linkages: Recognising the interdependence of institutions, sectors, and scales, requires a methodology that fosters collaboration across these boundaries.
Key attributes of the SHARED methodology

The SHARED principles

The SHARED principles were developed to underpin and anchor design, implementation, and learning processes. The principles are divided into the categories of stakeholders, systems thinking, evidence and experience, and dialogues and decisions. These principles are used to guide how the engagement processes are designed and implemented, and they offer a useful point of reference.

Key attributes of the SHARED methodology