Check out some reflections (below) wrapping up our 3-year tenure as Co-Chairs (w/ Vidhya Shanker, PhD & Elizabeth T.) for the American Evaluation Association Working Group focused on (including, not limited to) “DEI principles,” advocating for a general statement in all policy documents, the need for systemic change within the evaluation profession, particularly in how knowledge is produced and controlled, and the decentralization of power to address historical inequities and to ensure that minoritized and marginalized groups have a say in the production and application of knowledge. As this group transitions to a Task Force, we submitted a final report to AEA’s leadership & Board of Directors, reflecting on the process of building, and creating this statement, the involvement of various individuals and groups, and the specific context in shaping the content and direction of such efforts within AEA. The report, intended for a broad audience beyond AEA's BOD, emphasizes collective action and grassroots movements over top-down decisions -- applicable to all organizations. It highlights the need for consensus decision-making, which values dialogue and deep listening across differences, rather than majority rule that silences dissent. The newly developed Statement on Oppression & Resistance calls for evaluation to recognize and change its systemic effects on social, political, economic, and natural systems. It advocates for a shift in narrative, questioning who controls knowledge production and suggesting a move towards transformative justice, which seeks to end cycles of oppression. Thank you to all working group members who contributed and served over three years: Asma M. Ali, PhD, Ayesha Boyce, Ph.D., Camille Lemieux, David Sul, Ed.D., Diana Lemos, Donna Mertens, Dylan Felt, Esther Nolton, PhD, MEd, James Groh, Jen Heeg, PhD, Kantahyanee Murray, PhD, Libby Smith, Lisa Aponte-Soto, PhD, MHA, Mark Parman, Stephen Maack, Zachary Grays II, Leah Peoples, Damon King, and Anisha Zimmerman-Lewis for your leadership. Vidhya Shanker, PhD & Elizabeth T. -- thank you for your friendship, affiliation, connection, support, memories, understanding, and laughter -- what a gift to serve with you and lay down the armor from time to time...and just "be."
The first post during our designated week is below (from 7/28); a new post from our WG will be posted each day this week until Saturday.
Engagement Strategist: Maximizing connections for meaningful impact
1moI'm excited to join this group of amazing women.