A Fun Space to Explore Participatory Evaluation

If you have been considering ways to make evaluation more inclusive, responsive, and equitable, you have most likely been curious about participatory evaluation, an approach that empowers those with lived experiences to own their data, learn together, and advocate for change. Yet trying out a new technique can feel risky—a fear of failure may discourage us from departing from traditional evaluation practices to explore new possibilities. As an antidote to perfectionism and other white-dominant norms, this demonstration offers a fun, interactive, no-stress space to try out new approaches and roles through play. We will offer stations focused on several participatory activities such as asset PhotoVoice, journaling, participatory surveys, and more that draw from our own experience as evaluators working with nonprofit and foundation clients. Reshaping the field together requires practice, and we hope you will join us to learn together.