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Evaluation as Practice

Evaluation as Practice

Evaluation is both trans-discipline and craft, shaped by context, contested by power, and demanding of learning and judgment that are increasingly challenging during a time of upheaval and uncertainty. Posts here engage with the real practice of evaluation: design choices and their assumptions and trade-offs, quality and rigour in messy settings, ethical navigation, and what it takes to do this work well when it truly matters. A Global South lens infuses the posts.
09
Sep
Grand Challenges, Part 2

Grand Challenges, Part 2

In my previous post I highlighted the notion of Grand Challenges and where they have been developed. In this post
5 min read
06
Sep
Grand Challenges, Part 1

Grand Challenges, Part 1

In July 2014 I wrote a short paper for EES Connections in which I asked whether the time was right
4 min read
03
Sep
Lives of Equal Value

Lives of Equal Value

Back to blogging after a hiatus of three months during which I travelled too frequently for work assignments. Pressurised schedules
4 min read
10
May
SDG Evaluation Call to Action 2: Consider macro influences on development

SDG Evaluation Call to Action 2: Consider macro influences on development

In 15 years I have not conducted a single evaluation where I did not ask many questions about the reasons why things were working well, or not so well – and triangulating from different perspectives and sources of information.
5 min read
29
Apr
Valuing Evaluation, Part 3

Valuing Evaluation, Part 3

No, I don't equate evaluation with toilet paper made of gold - even if it costs a cool
4 min read
26
Apr
Oh for the Love of Sticky Notes! The Changing Role of Evaluators Who Work with Foundations.

Oh for the Love of Sticky Notes! The Changing Role of Evaluators Who Work with Foundations.

Julia Coffman is one of our best-known evaluation leaders working primarily with foundations. I always think of her as innovative,
1 min read
25
Mar

AWSEM! A framework for empowering women scientists

In one of my recent posts I wrote about the pervasive influence of power on development, and the imperative to
5 min read
21
Mar
Seven lessons for the SDG era

Seven lessons for the SDG era

Evaluation is entering an exciting period - one that will challenge us all to think in new ways and to
4 min read
14
Mar
Valuing evaluation and elevator pitches - Part 2

Valuing evaluation and elevator pitches - Part 2

What? Evaluation is not popular? We know that evaluation can be very valuable. We continue to emphasise its role in
4 min read
10
Mar

Valuing evaluation and elevator pitches - Part 1

We need to get much better at "selling" evaluation (the "E" in "M&E&
2 min read