The Systems in Evaluation TIG (Session 2): Sensing our Emerging Future

Abstract Information: This year’s theme for Evaluation 2024 challenges us to engage and empower a range of voices in the field to encourage the emergence of new ideas, practices, and creative approaches in evaluation practice and to support diversity, sustainability, and evolution within the field as a whole. The challenge of this year’s theme is rooted in fundamental principles of systems thinking. Systems thinking has the potential to help evaluators understand the world in all its diversity in ways that are practical, comprehensive, and wise. The Systems in Evaluation TIG (SETIG) officially came into being 20 years ago at Evaluation 2004 in Atlanta. Since then, the SETIG has focused on supporting members in using systems approaches to engage and empower diverse voices both within the field of evaluation and within the people, places, and programs we evaluate. The SETIG has historically practiced engaging a diverse set of voices to: (1) inform the adoption of systems methods for use in program evaluation; (2) integrate systems thinking into evaluation theory and practice to better understand complex relationships, explore interconnections, seek out influential points of influence for leveraging change; and (3) surface multiple perspectives that shape the systems we evaluate. Systems thinking and systems approaches are becoming more common in evaluation practice. At the same time, the interconnectedness and complexity of the systems in which we live and the crises–local and global–are evermore increasing. This is the perfect time for the SETIG to reflect on its emerging future. This think tank session will explore: (1) What is the role of the SETIG in an emerging future marked by multiple interconnected trends toward systems thinking in evaluation, evaluation of systems, and system-transformative evaluation? (2) Recognizing that we are part of a system that needs to change, how do we structure our work in support of a better future that is seeking to emerge? (3) How can SETIG foster paradigm change, connect and amplify the diverse perspectives and voices, support co-creation of systems change, and catalyze transformation? Systems thinking is holistic; it emphasizes connectedness and patterns. It takes the past into consideration when thinking about the present and the future. In a similar manner, this second session, facilitated by current and past SETIG leaders, will be focused on using what we’ve learned from our history as a TIG to imagine the directions the SETIG might follow in the future and to think about the possibilities. In this think tank, attendees will discuss issues and challenges, lessons learned, and critical considerations related to bringing a systems perspective to evaluation. They will be encouraged to share what they are grappling with when trying to apply systems thinking to evaluation practice and identify possibilities for the SETIG to better support evaluators in the use of systems thinking in ways that will support diversity, sustainability, and evolution of the field as a whole.