12 - What Does It Take for an Evaluation to Be Truly Participatory?

Abstract Information: Many evaluators claim to use participatory approaches in their work, but the details of what makes their evaluations participatory vary widely. While the standard for one evaluation to be participatory might be focus groups with program participants, others focus on integrating steering committees and program staff into evaluation planning. Still, others set the bar at involving participants themselves in the design, interpretation, and dissemination of findings. In this conversation, let's shed some light on our various interpretations of participatory evaluation, what the benefits are and for whom, as well as identify what's required to honestly label the work as participatory. As a relatively new evaluator myself with a background in critical participatory action research (CPAR) in educational settings, I am eager to hear from those with varied levels of experience using participatory approaches across sectors. Over the course of our conversation, I hope we will share challenges we have faced in making our evaluation work more participatory and co-envision the possibilities available when we contextualize our work in the disability rights movement slogan, "Nothing about us without us."