How can realist synthesis help us understand digital forums, online communities, and living libraries? And what happens when lived experience, story sharing and peer support take place in dynamic online or hybrid spaces where safety, connection and meaning are constantly being negotiated?

In this insightful and reflective conversation, Alejandro is joined by Dr Paul Marshall, Research Associate at the Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research at Lancaster University. Paul shares his experience of working with realist approaches across projects on living libraries and online mental health forums, exploring how people share experiences, build connections and seek support in both face-to-face and digital environments.

The conversation explores how realist evaluation and synthesis can help unpack what makes online forums meaningful, helpful or challenging for different people indifferent contexts. Paul reflects on the difficulty of conceptualising online forums as interventions, the difference between context and setting, and the importance of psychological safety that enables people to share experiences and ask questions.

Paul also discusses the value of combining realist synthesis with realist interviewing, working with multiple stakeholders, and using mixed methods to understand what is happening beyond individual posts or interactions. He reflects on the roleof forum moderators, service leads, forum hosts and users in shaping the culture and functioning of online spaces.

Whether you’re an evaluator, researcher, student, practitioner, digital health professional or someone interested in lived experience, online communities and participatory approaches, this episode offers valuable insights into using realist approaches to understand how digital and hybrid spaces work, for whom, and under what circumstances.