Summary
There is a lack of specific guidance in the field of evaluation on the practices of reflection and reflexivity. Understanding how to develop these important skills for evaluation practitioners is essential. Reflexivity involves maintaining a self-critical attitude and questioning taken-for-granted assumptions regarding the political nature of our work and its intended and unintended effects, as well as the social distribution of these effects. This workshop is based on an innovative model of reflection and will guide participants through several activities that will help create their own reflexive practice within their evaluation work. Activities will include: identifying their social location, discussing power and privilege dynamics in the evaluations on which they are working, creating an action plan for reflexivity, developing personalized critical questions, creating a journaling and meta-reflection schedule, identifying trusted dissenters, and practicing playing the role of critical friend with other participants.
You will learn:
- how to discuss the value of reflexive practice, its relationship to reflection, and the key components of being a reflexive practitioner.
- how to apply an innovative model to guide their reflexive practice, and will be able to use it confidently to guide their personal reflection.
- how to identify and discuss their own personal bias and highlight the values and perspectives currently shaping their own evaluation work.
Facilitator
Jenna von Draanen Earwaker has presented on this topic for both AEA (2013) and CES (2012). More recently, her work on the topic of reflexivity was published in the American Journal of Evaluation on this topic (Van Draanen, J. Bringing reflexivity to evaluation: An in-depth case study. American Journal of Evaluation. September 2016, doi:10.1177/10982140166684010). Jenna has taught reflexive practice to graduate students at the University of California Los Angeles and delivered related workshops to clients as an independent evaluation consultant. In her facilitation approach, Jenna likes to combine a variety of methods including demonstrations, simulations, discussion, and collaborative activities.
You can contact Jenna van Draanen Earwaker via email at jennavandraanen@gmail.com
Language
English
Level
Intermediate
Prerequisites
Participants should have existing knowledge of the competency of reflection in evaluation and should have experience actively reflecting during their evaluative practice. Participants should be prepared to discuss issues of power and privilege in evaluation.
Schedule
Sunday, April 30 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Link to CE competencies for evaluators
- Considers human rights and the public welfare in evaluation practice
- Is aware of self as an evaluator (knowledge, skills, dispositions) ad reflects on personal evaluation practice (competencies and areas for growth)
- Examines organizational political, community, and social contexts
- Identifies and mitigates problems/issues
- Attends to issues of diversity and culture