1026 - Embodiment as a Qualitative Evaluation Methodology

Abstract Information: This workshop is designed for evaluators seeking to enhance their qualitative research skills through embodied methodologies. As a methodology, embodiment recognizes that human experiences are not solely cognitive but are also deeply intertwined with sensory perceptions, emotions, and physical sensations. This approach emphasizes the importance of understanding and incorporating the body's role in knowledge production, challenging traditional notions of detached observation, and emphasizing the researcher's active engagement with lived experiences.
Implementing embodied methodologies into an evaluative practice allows us to access richer, more nuanced data that better captures the complexities of human behavior, attitudes, and social interactions. Traditional evaluation methods often rely on verbal or written responses, which may limit the depth of understanding, especially in contexts where non-verbal cues and embodied expressions play a significant role. By incorporating embodied approaches evaluators can gather more holistic and contextually rich data, leading to more comprehensive and insightful evaluations.
Understanding embodiment as a methodology also enables evaluators to navigate issues of power, privilege, and marginalization more effectively within their evaluation frameworks. Embodied methodologies encourage reflexivity, prompting evaluators to critically examine their own embodied experiences, biases, and positionalities that may influence the evaluation process and outcomes. This self-awareness enhances the ethical integrity of evaluations and promotes greater inclusivity and sensitivity to diverse perspectives.
Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, this workshop will equip participants with the knowledge and skills to integrate embodied methodologies into every step of the evaluation process including design, data collection and analysis, and reporting.

Relevance Statement: Traditional evaluation methods often overlook the embodied aspects of human experiences and ignore the implications of the mind-body split in the way traditional methods are taught to many evaluators. This poses the risk of incomplete assessments and limited insights. This workshop challenges this paradigm by introducing participants to the ways embodied methodologies can elevate and amplify our practices. By incorporating these methodologies into their evaluation frameworks, participants can enrich their data collection processes, enhance the interpretive depth of their findings, and generate more nuanced and contextually sensitive evaluations.
This workshop adds to the knowledge base in the evaluation field by emphasizing reflexivity and critical engagement throughout the research process. Evaluation practitioners are not merely passive observers, but active participants in constructing meaning and understanding complexities within evaluative contexts. This workshop encourages evaluators to reflect on their embodied experiences and positionalities to foster a more ethical and inclusive approach to evaluation research.
This workshop will provide tangible strategies that can be immediately applied to participants' professional practice. Whether they are graduate students, early-career evaluators, or seasoned scholars, attendees will gain practical knowledge towards designing and conducting evaluations that honor diverse perspectives and lived experiences through an embodied lens.
In alignment with the goals and standards of the conference and AEA as an association, this workshop not only advances knowledge within the evaluation field, but also promotes a paradigm shift towards more holistic, inclusive, and rigorous evaluation practices. It embodies the principles of quality, relevance, and innovation that are essential for advancing evaluation theory and enhancing the impact of evaluation in diverse settings.