Welcome to ParEvo

ParEvo is a method of exploring alternative futures, using a participatory evolutionary process (hence ParEvo). The process is designed to be used by multiple people, to produce a branching structure of storylines about what could happen. Participants are anonymous and choose how they collaborate with others. Participants are able to tag and comment on the storylines that are generated.  After this generative phase the implications of storyline contents can be evaluated using combinations of participatory, expert and LLM AI methods.  Outcomes can be both cognitive (e.g. changes in how to think about the future) and behavioural (e.g. decisions about how to respond to the different futures).

The use of ParEvo is free, subject to approval by the Administrator. Initial and ongoing technical support is available at a variable cost (£0...£n), depending on duration of need.

How it works - in brief

Parevo diagram showing participatory evolution of scenarios

  1. The Facilitator provides the seed for a story. This will usually be no more than two or three paragraphs long, setting the scene for what might happen next. It is like the first first page of a novel.
  2. Participants are then asked to each add a short text describing what happens next. These are the nodes 1-10 in the diagram, representing contributions by 10 participants in the first "iteration"
  3. Participants then read all these contributions and each select one they would most like to continue
  4. Participants then add another short text describing what happens next to the storyline they have chosen. These are nodes 11 to 20 in the diagram, in the second iteration of the exercise
  5. The process of selection then addition (points 3 and 4 above) are reiterated. The number of re-iterations is decided by the Facilitator either at the beginning, or as the exercise proceeds

This generative phase is then followed by a more evaluative phase where the implications of storyline contents can be analysed using participatory, expert and LLM AI methods.  

Find out much more about ParEvo on this very comprehensive supporting website 

Some additional points to note:

  1. All text contributions are anonymous, no author information is made visible. Participants are given a unique anonymised ID at the beginning
  2. Participants can be given the opportunity to make comments on specific contributions, in between one iteration and the next
  3. The evaluation process can include other criteria, in addition to probability and desirability. There are mutliple means of seeking participants evaluations.
  4. Facilitators can download the quantitative and qualitative data generated by each ParEvo exercise, in a range of Excel file formats
  5. Facilitators can vary a range of settings that define how participants take part in an exercise

Getting started

Participants

Participants need to be invited by a Facilitator to set up an account. Please contact your Facilitator for login details. If you have not been invited, you cannot use ParEvo. Once you have login details you can login at any time.

Facilitators

To become a Facilitator, you have to apply to create an account. Use the form below. 

Once approved, you will be able to invite Participants and set up and manage one or more exercises of your own design.

However, before beginning an exercise, I recommend you accept an invitation to have an introductory video call with me, Rick Davies. I am able to provide advice and technical support on all stages of the use of ParEvo (planning, implementation and evaluation). Both via an introductory video call and thereafter.

Facilitator application

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