Alejandro sits down with Dr Esther de Weger and Dr Natascha van Vooren to unpack the evolving world of realist configurations, from the classic CMO (Context–Mechanism–Outcome) to newer variations like SCMO, ICMO, and beyond.

Following on from last week's episode on CMOs, in this lively, reflective conversation, Esther and Natascha draw on their PhD experiences and current research to explore how small shifts in configuration can transform the way we understand causality in realist studies.

They discuss how to choose the right configuration for your question, what happens when you “add a letter,” and why thinking with configurations means embracing flexibility, reflexivity, and transparency.

With practical insights for students, supervisors, and evaluators alike, this episode offers clarity on how to stay grounded in realist thinking while adapting tools for complex, real-world contexts.