aes22 International Evaluation Conference

Veronica G Thomas (Howard University), Eva Sarr (The Centre for Multicultural Program Evaluation)

This mini workshop will provide participants with a step-by-step approach for incorporating culturally responsive and equity-focused principles and strategies in the evaluation planning, implementation, and reporting/dissemination of results.  Initially, participants will be given an overview of the major tenets and principles of culturally responsive and equity-focused evaluation.  Subsequently, using a relevant case study, as well as the facilitators' experiences, the participants will learn how to:

• rebalance power and reconcile the perspectives of diverse communities and affected parties throughout the evaluation process
• ensure protection of all participants through an equity-oriented perspective
• ask evaluation questions that matter to different populations with different goals including ones that address equity, power rebalance, and systems drivers of inequality
• establish cultural perspectives in establishing validity and rigor in evaluation design
• analyze and report quantitative and qualitative data from an equity-oriented and culturally responsive perspective
• incorporate strategies for messaging and disseminating evaluation findings in ways that are culturally appropriate, inclusive, accessible, useful, and actionable

During the workshop, participants will engage in small-group activities using culturally responsive and equity-focused principles to address questions raised by the case example. Through facilitator feedback and guidance, as well as small group discussions, the participants will strengthen their understanding of how culture and equity-related issues can be operationalized throughout the entire evaluation process. Participants will receive a list of relevant resources that can be used to deepen their understanding in this area.

Note: Participants are requested to bring mobile phones to the skills building session.