Hello, fellow evaluators! I’m Eniola Idowu, a public health researcher and evaluator with a passion for using culturally responsive and participatory approaches to transform systems. My journey as a public health researcher and evaluator has taught me that evaluation is more than assessing outcomes; it is a tool for addressing inequities and fostering systemic change. Programs, like Expanding the Bench’s Leaders in Equitable Evaluation and Diversity (LEEAD) have deeply influenced my practice by encouraging me to think critically about how I center equity in my work. Today, I reflect on the lessons learned from these experiences and invite you to consider how emerging evaluators can embrace courage, equity, and collaboration to transform systems.
Lesson Learned: Evaluating Transformations Requires Courage
System transformation is complex, often requiring evaluators to challenge our societal and power structures. As an emerging evaluator, I’ve learned that it takes courage to ask uncomfortable questions and advocate for approaches that prioritize equity and social justice. This became apparent in my work conducting focus groups and needs assessments in rural and underserved communities, where traditional methods often overlooked lived experiences. Evaluators play a key role in pushing for methodologies that reflect community realities, even when it means stepping outside of your comfort zone. Courage, I’ve found, isn’t just about persistence—it’s about being willing to disrupt the system.
Hot Tip: Engage Community Members as Partners, Not Just Participants
Transformative evaluation is inherently collaborative. While working on youth mental health initiatives, I facilitated the co-creation of evaluation tools with school staff and high school students with lived mental health issues. This collaborative process ensured the findings were not only accurate but actionable. If you are interested in participatory methods, I recommend exploring the Gender Equality Toolbox for more guidance on co-creating tools that amplify historically marginalized voices.
Rad Resource: Equity-Focused Frameworks Can Guide Transformations
Equity is central to evaluating transformations. Resources like the Equitable Evaluation Framework offer evaluators strategies to embed equity throughout their work. These frameworks ask important questions: Whose perspectives are included? How are findings used to address systemic inequities?
Incorporating these principles into my evaluations has led to richer insights and more actionable results.
Cool Trick: Think Beyond Reports
Evaluation doesn’t end with a report—it’s just the beginning. During a SAMHSA-funded project evaluating clinical service delivery, I created visual dashboards to make data accessible for rural health providers. This approach helped translate findings into actionable steps. By focusing on how stakeholders use the data, we ensure evaluations have a tangible impact.
An Invitation to Reflect
Post-LEEAD, I’ve been inspired to think about how evaluators can push boundaries to make systemic change. Whether you’re just an emerging or experienced evaluator, I encourage you to reflect on the following questions?
- How does your evaluation practice center equity, liberation, and social justice?
- Are you co-creating with community members with lived experiences, or are you operating in isolation?
- What role can courage play in transforming your approach?
As evaluators, we have the power to challenge inequities and inspire change. Let’s continue to ask bold questions, foster collaboration, and ensure our work reflects the values of justice and inclusion.
This week’s contributions come from members of AEA’s Leaders in Equitable Evaluation and Diversity (LEEAD) program. Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the aea365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an aea365 Tip? Please send a note of interest to aea365@eval.org . aea365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators. The views and opinions expressed on the AEA365 blog are solely those of the original authors and other contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the American Evaluation Association, and/or any/all contributors to this site.