Yin and young: reflections on being a youth evaluator in an evaluation impacting youth

Abstract Information: A youth internship program was recently evaluated by a team comprised solely of young and emerging evaluators. On the surface, it seemed like a good fit - a convergence of youth on both sides of the evaluation. Upon reflection, it is a story of divergence. Despite surface level similarities, the differences between the young evaluators and the youth beneficiaries were inescapable. There is risk in assuming that using evaluators with similar/overlapping identities with the evaluation’s beneficiaries automatically ensures representation. Our experience suggests that meaningful empowerment of young voices cannot solely rely on the inclusion of young evaluators. We suspect two elements were at play that led to the schism between the youth evaluator and the youth beneficiary: 1) The power and privilege dynamics embedded within evaluator-beneficiary relationships, 2) The juxtaposition of being valued for one’s “youth” identity while simultaneously hiding this identity in pursuit of credibility as an evaluator. There is a deep irony that young evaluators, despite their disadvantage in professional environments that value experience and authority, wield power as evaluators compared to youth beneficiaries. This speaks to the marriage and divorce of personal selves with professional realities. The complex and multi-faceted nature of identity is explored through the young evaluator’s self-reflection, leading to a caution against descriptive representation. This presentation will close with lessons learned and suggestions to amplify evaluators and engage the evaluated.