Principle 13: Theory of Transformation

Summary: Michael Quinn Patton’s Blue Marble Evaluation is a forward-looking, path-breaking, and timely contribution to evaluation theory and practice. The title of the book evokes the Blue Marble shot—a photograph of the whole earth taken by the Apollo 17 astronauts in 1972. The preface of the book displays the first image of our lonely planet captured from space in 1968 (Earthrise).

"Many pressing challenges require transformation, rather than incremental change and trade-offs. These ‘grand challenges’ are reflected in the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the nations of the world in September 2015 at a meeting titled Transforming Our World, and in the December 2015 Paris Climate Agreement (together called Agenda 2030).

 Trust matters for transformation. The Blue Marble theory of transformation hypothesizes that transformation requires multiple actors, networks, organizations, movements, and individuals actively finding common ground thereby magnifying their separate efforts collectively to create critical mass and tipping points. A theory of transformation integrates and aligns multiple theories of change.

Presenters: Michael Quinn Patton & Glenn Page

Summary: In this webinar, held on Earth Day 2019, Glenn and Michael explore the realities of the Anthropocene that necessitate the move towards global systems transformation. Glenn Page offers a history of the focus on global systems transformation and explores what is needed from a transformation systems theory standpoint. 

This webinar is now complete. Recording currently unavailable. Please check back soon.

Presenter: Michael Quinn Patton of Utilization-Focused Evaluation

Keynote address about global consumption and the need for transformational change.