Written by: EnCompass Staff

EnCompass is excited to be a key participant in the American Evaluation Association’s (AEA) annual conference, Eval2024, taking place from October 21 to 26 in Portland, Oregon. The theme for this year’s conference, “Amplifying and Empowering Voices in Evaluation,” is deeply aligned with our mission to elevate inclusive, ethical, and evidence-based practices in the evaluation field. We are thrilled to be a Bronze Sponsor of Eval2024, actively contributing to shaping the future of evaluation. 

This year, we will present workshops and presentations on a range of topics, including: 

• Inclusive Transformation through Systems-Level Theories of Change
• Amplifying Local Voices in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Systems
• Creating Safe Spaces for Marginalized Voices in Evaluation
• Effectively Integrating and Synthesizing Data to Tell a Comprehensive Story
• Ethical and Methodological Tensions in Modern Evaluation
• Equity, Social Justice, and Localization in Evaluation

Below are some highlights of the sessions our team will lead at, which aim to empower marginalized voices, amplify local perspectives, and advance the integration of cutting-edge methodologies.

EnCompass Session Snapshots at Evaluation 2024 

The Path to Inclusive Transformation: Reimagining Theories of Change and Learning to Drive Systems Change 

• Wednesday, October 23 | 11:30 a.m.–2:15 p.m. | E145-146
• Amanda Stek, Michael Moses

This workshop explores how dynamic theories of change (TOCs), combined with inclusive learning approaches, can help changemakers navigate complex systems for sustainable impact. Attendees will practice using tools like learning logs to adapt TOCs in collaborative systems change initiatives.

Letting the Data Speak: Effectively Integrating and Synthesizing Your Data to Tell the Story (DAIS) 

• Wednesday, October 23 | 11:30 a.m.–2:15 p.m. | G131-132
• Jonathan Jones, Ghazia Aslam

This interactive workshop introduces the Data Analysis, Integration, and Synthesis (DAIS) process, enabling participants to integrate complex data streams into meaningful findings. By the end, participants will be equipped to create structured, data-driven reports and recommendations.

Let’s Slay Those Adolescent and Youth-Focused Program Evaluations! 

• Wednesday, October 23 | 11:30 a.m.–2:15 p.m. | G129-130
• Safyatou Diallo, Soukeyna Ourdraogo, Rugyatou Kane, Susan Igras

This workshop focuses on evaluating youth-focused programs using participatory methods. Participants will engage in case studies, role-plays, and simulations to explore strategies for including adolescents and youth in evaluations, ensuring their voices shape programs and policies.

Engaging Youth as Leaders in DRG & Evaluative Practice: Cross-TIG, Cross-Cultural & Multilingual Lessons

• Wednesday, October 23 | 4:15 p.m.–5:15 p.m. | Portland Ballroom 251 
• Safyatou Diallo, Julie Poncelet, Mark Mulobi, Ian Hopwood, Alysson Akiki A. Oakley, Denise L. Baer 

This roundtable discussion will explore lessons learned from engaging youth as leaders in democracy, rights, and governance (DRG) evaluations. Panelists will share cross-cultural and multilingual insights on how to empower youth voices through collaboration with Voluntary Organizations of Professional Evaluators (VOPEs). 

Creating a Safe Space to Amplify Marginalized Voices: Using Trauma-Informed Approaches in Evaluation 

• Thursday, October 24 | 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. | B113-114 
• Ghazia Aslam, Sofia Machado 

This think tank session will delve into trauma-informed data collection methods, addressing the challenges of engaging communities affected by trauma. Participants will collaborate in breakout groups to create strategies that protect participant safety and ensure authentic data collection in sensitive contexts. 

Elevating Methodological and Ethical Standards in Monitoring 

• Friday, October 25 | 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. | Exhibit Hall A 
• Jonathan Jones, Cecilia Papariello 

This session challenges the perception that monitoring lacks the methodological and ethical rigor of evaluation. Participants will explore ways to integrate robust ethical standards into rapid data collection processes, especially in conflict and crisis settings. 

Empowering Voices of the Next Generation: Promoting Meaningful Youth Engagement in Evaluation 

• Friday, October 25 | 2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. | Portland Ballroom 251 
• Tessie Catsambas, Safyatou Diallo, Karen Cadondon, Maria Montenegro, Olivia Melvin, Asela R. L. Kalugampitiya, Neha Karkara 

This panel highlights practical examples of engaging youth in evaluation, emphasizing the transformative potential of youth-led evaluation. By amplifying youth voices, the session will explore ways to enhance evaluation relevance, credibility, and inclusivity. 

Amplifying Country-Based Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Ecosystems—A Tale of 3 Case Studies 

• Saturday, October 26 | 9:15 a.m.–10:15 a.m. | E145-146 
• Safyatou Diallo, Karla Giuliano Sarr, Cecilia Papariello 

This panel explores three case studies of monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) capacity strengthening across different continents. It examines how local voices around the globe can be amplified to enhance data-driven decision-making and localization efforts. 

Join Us in the Exhibitor Hall 

We invite you to stop by Booth #300 in the Exhibitor Hall to meet our team, and explore our work, our open positions, and the professional development learning opportunities we offer through the EnCompass Learning Center. You can also enter to win a raffle prize! Continuing our long-standing tradition, EnCompass will contribute EnCompass Learning Center (ELC) vouchers to the AEA Silent Auction this year. Proceeds will support first-time conference attendees from lower-middle income countries (LMICs), fostering greater diversity and inclusion in the evaluation field. 

Stay Connected! 

Don’t forget to follow us on all social platforms for live updates throughout the conference. We look forward to engaging with our fellow MERL professionals and continuing to highlight a range of diverse perspectives and impact through ethical, inclusive evaluation practices at AEA 2024. 

Let’s amplify, empower, and elevate voices together at #Eval2024! 

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In addition to following our EnCompass staff at the conference, we hope you will check out the sessions with our ELC faculty who will be presenting at the conference as well!