Annex B Evaluation framework report development activities

B.1. Developing a programme theory of change

PATH-SAFE programme partners developed a first draft ToC ahead of RAND being commissioned.  As a key underpinning tool for the overall evaluation, we co-designed a refined ToC for the PATH-SAFE programme with the central programme team, outlining the pathways of change for each WS along with their interconnections and dependencies. We utilised the following activities to refine the ToC.

B.2. Documentary review and desk research

To revise the ToC, we conducted a review of key PATH-SAFE documents including relevant business cases and WS documentation outlining aims and ambitions. We also referred to external publications for developing appropriate external factors impacting the ToC and the evaluation such as the UK 5-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance 2019 to 2024, the UK Government Food Strategy, the Scottish Government Strategy for Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Research 2022-2027, and A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment.

8.3. Engagement with expert advisors

We consulted with our expert advisors on the project, Dr. Arnoud van Vliet and Dr. Jennifer Ritchie, both from the University of Surrey. Both our advisors have deep expertise in AMR, with Dr. van Vliet providing specialised expertise on foodborne bacterial pathogens and microbial genomics, and Dr. Ritchie on host-pathogen interactions and transmission. Feedback from them helped finetune the ToC and its underpinning assumptions and external factors.

B.4. Central programme team engagement

This included engaging with the central programme team and WS managers through bi-weekly meetings and email exchange. Feedback received from this stakeholder engagement enabled us to further develop the ToC and refine it to reflect the scope and anticipated impact of PATH-SAFE. This initial development was then built upon by conducting a refinement and prioritisation workshop to further refine the ToC. Workshop attendees included stakeholder representatives from the central programme team. Moving forward, it is intended that this report (and thus the ToC and evaluation frameworks) will be shared with other cross-department stakeholders to ensure the validity and utility of the evaluation approach outlined.