Will Allen & Associates

I am an independent systems scientist, action researcher and evaluator, with 30 years of experience in sustainable development and natural resource management.  I specialize in working in and supporting multi-stakeholder and integrated approaches in complex settings. Prior to developing my own consultancy and research practice – Will Allen & Associates – in 2010, I worked for Landcare Research where I led the Collaborative Learning for Environmental Management group. I am a founding member (and founding Board member) of the Aotearoa New Zealand Evaluation Association (ANZEA). I have worked in both national and international research and development organisations, and bring experience from working with a wide range of different end-user stakeholder sectors.

Most of my work is participatory, and I specialise in supporting teams and organizations that are looking to work in more collaborative ways – including inter-disciplinary and cross-cultural settings. I have experience in a wide range of methodologies, and in linking different methodologies to help client groups improve complex situations. Many of the lessons from this work is documented in journal papers and reports:

• My publications (journals and book chapters)
• My publications (reviewed reports)

“Will Allen & Associates is a New Zealand-based consultancy specializing in working in and supporting multi-stakeholder and integrated approaches in complex settings – particularly around sustainable development, natural resource management, environmental and agricultural issues.”

I share with and contribute to my wider communities of practice in these areas, and link closely with a range of researchers, consultants, and associates to provide the best support to clients.

• Visit my associates page

Most of our work takes place in participatory and learning-based contexts, to help stakeholders develop a shared understanding around goals, actions and indicators. We help people to bridge local, indigenous and organizational perspectives. We are particularly interested in the development of planning, monitoring and evaluation tools that are outcome focused, and contribute towards efforts that foster social learning, sustainable development and adaptive management. We aim to support efforts towards desirable and long-term outcomes – ecological, economic and social (i.e. equitable and just).

We design and facilitate participatory processes that contribute to these aims including:

• Scoping and program design
• Stakeholder consultation and engagement
• Developing outcomes-based performance management
• Learning and adaptation ((L&A)
• Planning, monitoring and evaluation (PM&E)
• Designing and facilitation of integrated and multi-stakeholder processes
• Building organisational capability for learning and adaptive management
• Providing mentoring and advice in the above areas

We bring experience in a wide range of social, management and operational research methodologies, and in linking across these to help client groups improve complex situations. We work with a range of different stakeholder and client sectors (including local, national and international NGOs, commercial farming, government agencies, the United Nations, and research organisations). My own work has been both national and international – including regional experience in Australasia, East Africa and the Pacific; and global experience through work with the CGIAR and IUCN.

“You are welcome to get in touch with me for further information about any of the topic areas covered in the website. I am also interested to share ideas, or discuss a potential involvement, with teams and organizations looking to use outcomes-oriented, participatory and collaborative approaches more effectively. You can use the site contact form, or just email me directly at [email protected].”