235 - Amplifying and Empowering Voices in Evaluations within Organizations

Abstract Information: The purpose of this session is to describe the ways in which evaluation empowers the disempowered voices within organizations. The disempowered include novice evaluators (P. Phillips), Native tribal members (Einspruch et al., 2024), and front-line managers (Boehme et al., 2023). In addition, issues with artificial intelligence will be explored; specifically, the use of AI in evaluation, leading to both disempowerment and empowerment (H. Champion), and experiences of front-line employees because of AI (Grant, 2024). The session will be designed to include interaction among the attendees and panel members through discussion of ways to empower those described in the presentation. (5 min.): The session will begin with a brief introduction of the panel members and their affiliations. The presentations will begin internally, with the evaluation team, and will expand to those affected by the evaluation. (5 min). P. Phillips (ROI Institute): Phillips will discuss the importance of upskilling the workforce in measurement, evaluation, and analytics. She will elaborate on how evaluation and data acumen empower the disempowered and the benefits of doing so. (5 min.) E. Einspruch (ELE Consulting): Einspruch will describe an evaluation planning and capacity building project supported by funding from the National Institute of Justice through the Tribal-Researcher Capacity Building Grant program. (5 min.) D. Russ-Eft (Purdue University): Russ-Eft will discuss recent work with support from Be Great LLC involving front-line managers and their disempowerment by human resources. Then she will describe the ways in which training evaluation can lead to their empowerment. (5 min.) H. Champion (Center for Creative Leadership): Champion will discuss using AI for evaluation, data collection, and analysis of qualitative data, and report writing. She will address how this tool can lead to both empowerment and disempowerment. (5 min.) B. Grant (Purdue University): Grant will discuss the role of AI in performance monitoring and evaluation, and the implications for workers. The purpose is to shine a light on the voice of workers and how they can and should be involved in the use of AI technology to evaluate work. (15 min.) Questions and Discussion among panelists and audience members: Specifically, what are some ways in which to empower the disempowered as described in these presentations?