87 - Embracing neurodivergent evaluators: Lessons learned from cephalopod-based coding solutions

Abstract Information: Neurodivergence is a buzzword, but it transcends mere terminology, it encompasses a distinct subculture, a philosophy, and language. The idea for this session was born of struggles with fitting analysis into boxes that felt too rigid, using qualitative software for analysis that didn’t lend itself to easy use by a neurodivergent brain, and ultimately the development of a never before seen “cephalopod” oriented multi-Venn diagram approach to visualizing data. Throughout this process, the conversation became “How do we celebrate neurodivergence in our work as evaluators, not simply as an inclusive practice only for communities we are engaging with as stakeholders?” Within the realm of evaluation, neurodivergent individuals are already contributing to teams, facilitating training sessions, managing large evaluation teams and projects, consulting with highly visible organizations, and building relationships among themselves and with communities. Despite many companies’ increasing focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) in the workforce, the neurodivergent group is often overlooked in the conversation, and many of us still feel compelled to mask and suppress our identities at great cost to ourselves to keep others comfortable and avoid overt discrimination, however, those of us who process our world differently have unique perspectives and often offer invaluable insights that enrich our educational institutions and workplaces. This session challenges the status quo by advocating for the full integration of neurodivergent voices into evaluation practices. It explores avenues for self-advocacy and adaptation of traditional methods to accommodate diverse cognitive styles. We will discuss the steps we can take to support the success of neurodivergent evaluators in practice and create a tailored career journey as an evaluator. By fostering environments that prioritize accessibility and inclusion, we can create spaces where all individuals, including those with neurodiversity, can thrive as evaluators “Neurodiversity may be every bit as crucial for the human race as biodiversity is for life in general. Who can say what form of wiring will be best at any given moment?”— Harvey Blume, The Atlantic, 1998