{"id":1116,"date":"2025-05-28T19:45:53","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T18:45:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/rumpus\/?p=1116"},"modified":"2026-05-28T20:12:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T19:12:12","slug":"fun-in-designing-trips-pathways","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/rumpus\/index.php\/2025\/05\/28\/fun-in-designing-trips-pathways\/","title":{"rendered":"Fun in Designing TRIPS Pathways"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\"><em>Transformative Research Innovation Proposals in the METEOR Programme<\/em><\/p>\n<p>By Alexandra Okada<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"1-what-ecooutwards-research-in-meteor\" class=\"font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-base first:mt-0\">1. What: Eco\u2011outwards research in METEOR<\/h2>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">METEOR is a Horizon Europe programme that helps PhD students and early\u2011career researchers learn how to work in teams and design projects that make a difference in society.<br \/>\nIts key idea is\u00a0<strong>eco\u2011outwards research<\/strong>. This means research does not stop at the university. It reaches outwards to people, organisations and environments, so that results can improve life for both people and planet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">To plan this, we use a\u00a0<strong>Theory of Change (ToC)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ol class=\"marker:text-quiet list-disc pl-8\">\n<li class=\"py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:pt-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:mb-2 [&amp;&gt;p]:my-0\">\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">We\u00a0<strong>start with the impact<\/strong> we want towards more fair, sustainable and resilient societies.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:pt-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:mb-2 [&amp;&gt;p]:my-0\">\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">Then we\u00a0<strong>work backwards<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>What outcomes must happen first?<br \/>\nWhat outputs (tangible products) lead to these outcomes?<br \/>\nWhat activities produce these outputs?<br \/>\nWhat inputs (time, money, people, tools) do we need?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">This backwards map then becomes a\u00a0<strong>shared planning tool<\/strong>. Teams can agree who does what, when, and how this fits into a simple timeline (for example, a GANTT chart). Proposals should explain clearly how they will move along this chain from inputs to impact.<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">A GANTT chart is a\u00a0<strong>simple timeline for your project<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"marker:text-quiet list-disc pl-8\">\n<li class=\"py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:pt-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:mb-2 [&amp;&gt;p]:my-0\">\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">Each task is shown as a horizontal bar, with its\u00a0<strong>start date<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>end date<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>duration<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:pt-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:mb-2 [&amp;&gt;p]:my-0\">\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">All bars are placed on one time line, so you can quickly see\u00a0<strong>what happens when<\/strong>, where tasks overlap, and\u00a0<strong>who is responsible for what<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr class=\"bg-quiet h-px border-0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"2-why-why-we-need-ecooutwards-engaging-approaches\" class=\"font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-base first:mt-0\">2. Why: Why we need eco\u2011outwards, engaging approaches<\/h2>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">Today\u2019s problems\u2014like climate change and inequality\u2014are complex. They need people who can <strong>work across disciplines and sectors<\/strong>, and who can\u00a0<strong>co\u2011create solutions with others<\/strong>\u00a0(not just study them).<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">Eco\u2011outwards projects answer this need. They show researchers as\u00a0<strong>connectors<\/strong>: people who link knowledge from different fields, organisations and communities to create positive social and environmental impact.<br \/>\nUsing a backwards\u2011mapped ToC makes it clear that impact is\u00a0<strong>planned<\/strong>, not left to chance. Teams think from the start about how they will work together, learn from each other and turn ideas into action.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"bg-quiet h-px border-0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"3-who-the-people-involved\" class=\"font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-base first:mt-0\">3. Who: The people involved<\/h2>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">In METEOR, the main actors are\u00a0<strong>doctoral candidates and early\u2011career researchers<\/strong>. They are supported to become:<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">\u201cEco\u2011outwards\u201d in mindset and practice:<br \/>\nConnected researchers,<br \/>\nProject coordinators, and<br \/>\nNetwork leaders,<br \/>\nwho can work confidently in transdisciplinary and intersectoral teams.<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">Around them is a wider\u00a0<strong>eco\u2011system of partners<\/strong>:<br \/>\nacademic supervisors and institutional leaders,<br \/>\nNGOs and community groups,<br \/>\nenterprises and social businesses,<br \/>\ngovernment bodies and public services,<br \/>\neducation providers and research centres, and<br \/>\ninternational partners<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">When using ToC, teams should\u00a0<strong>bring these sectors into the conversation early<\/strong>. Together, they can discuss:<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">which impacts matter most to them,<br \/>\nhow they will collaborate over time (for example, peer\u2011mentoring groups, cross\u2011institutional teams),<br \/>\nhow partners will act as\u00a0<strong>co\u2011researchers, co\u2011educators and co\u2011owners<\/strong> of the knowledge, instead of just \u201cdata sources.<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">In this way, the \u201cwho\u201d becomes a\u00a0<strong>living community of practice<\/strong>, not just a list of stakeholders.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"bg-quiet h-px border-0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"4-when-and-how-careknowdo-as-a-simple-guide\" class=\"font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-base first:mt-0\">4. When and How: CARE\u2013KNOW\u2013DO as a simple guide<\/h2>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">METEOR uses\u00a0<strong>CARE\u2013KNOW\u2013DO<\/strong>\u00a0as a simple guide for\u00a0<em>when<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0<em>how<\/em>\u00a0change happens.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"marker:text-quiet list-disc pl-8\">\n<li class=\"py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:pt-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:mb-2 [&amp;&gt;p]:my-0\">\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\"><strong>CARE<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<em>what researchers care about<\/em><br \/>\nFrom the beginning, researchers think about their values, responsibilities and wellbeing. Short activities such as self\u2011assessment, ToC mapping and mentoring help them see how their personal story connects to fairness, sustainability and care for others.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:pt-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:mb-2 [&amp;&gt;p]:my-0\">\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\"><strong>KNOW<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<em>What we understand and how we learn<\/em><br \/>\nNext, teams explore different types of knowledge. They compare views from different disciplines, listen to practitioners and communities, and learn about open science and responsible research. They practise asking good questions, dealing with uncertainty and building shared understanding.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:pt-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:mb-2 [&amp;&gt;p]:my-0\">\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\"><strong>DO<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<em>What we actually do together<\/em><br \/>\nThen, during academies and follow\u2011up work, teams design and refine their TRIPS proposals. They use engaging methods\u2014interactive workshops, challenges, scenarios and co\u2011creation sessions with partners\u2014to turn CARE and KNOW into concrete plans, work packages and impact pathways linked to SDGs and Horizon Europe calls.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">Because CARE\u2013KNOW\u2013DO is used\u00a0<strong>throughout the project<\/strong>, the ToC is not a one\u2011off diagram. It is something teams keep revisiting as they learn more about their context and partners.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"bg-quiet h-px border-0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"5-so-what-what-we-learn-for-ecooutwards-proposals\" class=\"font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-base first:mt-0\">5. So what? What we learn for eco\u2011outwards proposals<\/h2>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">Seen together, these ideas offer three simple lessons for anyone preparing a TRIPS proposal in METEOR:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"marker:text-quiet list-decimal pl-8\">\n<li class=\"py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:pt-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:mb-2 [&amp;&gt;p]:my-0\">\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\"><strong>Start from impact and work backwards.<\/strong><br \/>\nBe clear about\u00a0<em>whose lives<\/em>\u00a0you want to improve and\u00a0<em>how<\/em>. Use ToC to link your activities and outputs to real changes for people and planet, not just to interesting events or publications.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:pt-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:mb-2 [&amp;&gt;p]:my-0\">\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\"><strong>Show how CARE\u2013KNOW\u2013DO supports impact.<\/strong><br \/>\nExplain how your project will help researchers:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; align their values and wellbeing (CARE)<br \/>\n&#8211; deepen and share understanding (KNOW)<br \/>\n&#8211; act together with partners (DO)<\/p>\n<p>This shows reviewers that researcher development is part of your impact pathway, not separate from it.<\/li>\n<li class=\"py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:pt-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:mb-2 [&amp;&gt;p]:my-0\">\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\"><strong>Tell a clear story about What, Why, Who, When\/How and So what.<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen your proposal clearly links:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"marker:text-quiet list-disc\">\n<li class=\"py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:pt-0 [&amp;&gt;p]:mb-2 [&amp;&gt;p]:my-0\">\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\"><strong>What<\/strong>\u00a0you want to do<br \/>\n<strong>Why<\/strong>\u00a0it matters<br \/>\n<strong>Who<\/strong>\u00a0is involved<br \/>\n<strong>When and how<\/strong>\u00a0CARE\u2013KNOW\u2013DO will guide the journey<br \/>\n<strong>So what<\/strong>\u00a0for society and the environment<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">it supports METEOR\u2019s wider aim: to make outward\u2011looking, ethical and transformative research the\u00a0<em>normal<\/em>\u00a0way of doing doctoral work, not the exception.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">If you want, next I can compress this further into a one\u2011page handout or slide outline for apprentices to use during TRIPS workshops.<\/p>\n<p>Example<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto; border-radius: 8px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/rumpus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-28-at-19.56.45.png\" alt=\"Screenshot\" \/><\/div>\n<div>Example of GANTT<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto; border-radius: 8px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/rumpus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-28-at-20.08.53.png\" alt=\"Screenshot\" \/><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Transformative Research Innovation Proposals in the METEOR Programme By Alexandra Okada 1. What: Eco\u2011outwards research in METEOR METEOR is a Horizon Europe programme that helps PhD students and early\u2011career researchers learn how to work in teams and design projects that make a difference in society. Its key idea is\u00a0eco\u2011outwards research. This means research does not &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/rumpus\/index.php\/2025\/05\/28\/fun-in-designing-trips-pathways\/\" class=\"more-link\" >Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Fun in Designing TRIPS Pathways&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1116","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fun"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/rumpus\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1116","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/rumpus\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/rumpus\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/rumpus\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/rumpus\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1116"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/rumpus\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1116\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1127,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/rumpus\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1116\/revisions\/1127"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/rumpus\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/rumpus\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1116"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/rumpus\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}