Posts filed under ‘Trainings, Seminars & Conferences’
5th European Summit on Measurement announced
“Unlocking business performance- The role of communications research and analytics” is the theme of the 5th European Summit on Measurement of PR and communications – to be held in Madrid from 5 -7 June, 2013.
The Summit is presented by AMEC, the International Association for the Measurement and Evaluation of Communication. The Summit will include workshop sessions, discussion groups and plenary speaking spots by international senior communications professionals.
2 day training workshop: Realist evaluation for complex programs, Berne, May 2012
A two day workshop on “realist evaluation” is planned for 3-4 May 2012 in Berne, Switzerland. some more information:
Realist evaluation (Pawson and Tilley, 1997) is a form of theory driven evaluation. It starts by assuming that nothing works for everyone ; that how participants respond matters just as much as what programs do ; and that context does indeed make a difference. It doesn’t ask “Does this work ?”, but “In what contexts does this work, for whom, to what extent, and how ?”. Realist evaluation can be used at any level from individual casework to international development, and with simple, complicated and complex programs.
This two day workshop will introduce the key concepts of realist evaluation and their implications for evaluation design, methods and the role of the evaluator ; introduce the key ideas from complexity theory that are useful in realist evaluation ; explain the structure of realist program theory and provide practice in developing realist program theories for simple, complicated and complex programs… The program will involve a combination of presentations, discussion, and exercises.
The course is being organised by the University of Fribourg, Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work Department in collaboration with Marlène Läubli Loud of LAUCO Evaluation and Training and the Swiss Evaluation Society (SEVAL).
Further information and registration:
http://www.unifr.ch/travsoc/fr/newsdetail/?nid=6412
Workshop: Integrating communications in evaluation
Together with Raj Rana, I will be running a workshop on communications and evaluation this coming November in Bern, Switzerland, further information:
Integrating communications in evaluation
Date and place : 10-11 November 2011, Bern
Organisers: University of Fribourg & Swiss Evaluation Society
An often-overlooked step of evaluation is ensuring that findings are communicated, understood and acted upon. Communicating throughout the evaluation process equally poses many challenges. Communicating effectively implies using different means, messages and methods to reach different stakeholder groups, with very different needs and expectations.
A mix of presentations, case studies and practical exercises will be used to promote new approaches for communicating results including social media, interactive presentations and data visualization. The workshop delivery will include a mix of facilitation techniques to introduce effective means of engaging stakeholders in the evaluation process (World Café methodology, buzz groups, visualization techniques, developing consensus, etc.) Participants are encouraged to bring examples of evaluations they have commissioned/implemented, to be used as case studies during the workshop.
More information & registration>>
Glenn
North American Summit on Measurement, September 18-20, 2011
The annual North American Summit on communication/PR measurement is coming up in September 2011:
Since it began in 2003, the North American Summit on Public Relations Measurement has enjoyed an international reputation for being one of the world’s leading annual conferences about research, measurement and evaluation in communications and public relations.
Each year this event features a number of unique, hands-on pre-conference workshops along with a day and a half of superb program sessions focusing on how measurement is being used effectively throughout the communications industry. This measurement summit is also noted for having several superb networking events where attendees have opportunities to exchange insights with international experts.
Through lectures, case studies and interactive discussions led by some of the world’s most noted measurement experts, the North American Summit on Public Relations Measurement annually exposes conference delegates to innovations, methodologies and best practices from some of the world’s most successful public relations measurement programs.
Communication evaluation lecture at Bournemouth University, UK
On Tuesday, 15 March 2011 our friends and colleagues Professor Tom Watson & Professor Dr Ansgar Zerfass will be giving a lecture at Bournemouth University “The evolution of evaluation – Public Relations’ erratic path to the measurement of effectiveness” and “Corporate communications revisited – How communication drives corporate value and legitimisation”
The lecture is part of Bournemouth University’s free lecture series, open to everyone, giving you a unique insight into the knowledge and research that they are renowned for. Previous lectures attracted a varied audience, including fellow academics, businesses and members of the local community who learned how BU’s research is helping to change the world for the better.
You are welcome to attend as many lectures as you wish. Register online >>
Lectures will be held in the Executive Business Centre, 89 Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth BH8 8EB, UK (Lansdowne Campus) with registration and refreshments available from 5pm.
Realist evaluation workshop, 29 March 2011, the Netherlands
Here is an interesting workshop on “Realist evaluation”, taking place in Wageningen, the Netherlands on 29 March 2011. More information from the organisers:
Realist evaluation – understanding how programs work in their context.
‘Realist evaluation (Pawson and Tilley, 1997) is one type of theory based evaluation. It aims to explore “what works, for whom, in what contexts, to what extent and how”. It adopts a particular understanding of how programs work, and uses a particular format for program theories to help guide evaluation design, data collection and analysis.
Realist evaluation has a particular focus on understanding the interactions between programs and their contexts and the ways that these influence how programs work. Evaluation expert Dr. Gill Westhorp will discuss the concepts and assumptions that underpin this theory based evaluation approach. What is it that realist evaluation brings to the table of evaluating development programs? How is it different from existing approaches in evaluation in development? How does it understand, and deal with, complexity? What new insights can help strengthen the utility of evaluation for development?
During the morning, Gill will introduce the basic assumptions and key concepts in realist evaluation. She will also briefly demonstrate how these ideas can be built into other evaluation models using two examples. These models – realist action research and realist program logic – are participatory models which were designed for use in settings where limited resources, lack of capacity to collect outcomes data, complex programs, and (sometimes) small participant numbers make evaluation difficult. In the afternoon, the practical implications for evaluation design, data collection and analysis will be discussed. Examples and practical exercises will be included throughout the day.
Seminar with Dr. Patton : ‘Developmental evaluation – new kid on the evaluation block’: 29th March 2011, the Netherlands
Here is information on a seminar coming up with Dr Michael Quinn Patton – I’ve just bought his new book which is a very good read:
Date: 29th March 2011 in the Netherlands: ‘Developmental evaluation – new kid on the evaluation block’.
Description: Developmental evaluation is based on insights from complex dynamic systems, uncertainty, nonlinearity, and emergence. World renowned, award-winning evaluation expert Dr. Michael Quinn Patton will discuss the developmental evaluation framework as detailed in his book `Developmental Evaluation: Applying Complexity Concepts to Enhance Innovation and Use’. Patton will illustrate how developmental evaluation can be used for a range of purposes: ongoing program development; adapting effective principles of practice to local contexts; generating innovations and taking them to scale; and facilitating rapid response in crisis situations.
During the morning, Dr. Patton will explain developmental evaluation and illustrate it with many examples from his own experience. In the afternoon, participants will debate the practical application of developmental evaluation in development, based on participants’ existing evaluation questions.
For more info and registration: http://www.cdi.wur.nl/UK/newsagenda/agenda/DevelopmentalEvaluation_MichaelPatton
Online course: Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation
Here is an interesting online course on Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation from International Institute for Development and Colorado State University:
Description: This course stresses participatory methods in monitoring and evaluation for community development, where multiple stakeholders are involved in the process of planning, collecting, interpreting, communicating, and using information. This approach emphasizes a regular monitoring process that leads to continuous improvements. The course uses a case study and team discussions to illustrate the participatory monitoring and evaluation process.
The course starts next on 18 March 2011. More information >>
Workshop on Contribution Analysis and evaluation
For those readers that are in Switzerland, here is a very interesting course on contribution analysis and evaluation planned for 2011:
Contribution Analysis: A tool for planning and evaluating cause-effect and impact of interventions
Who is the Course for
• evaluation practitioners
• evaluation managers and commissioners
• teachers of policy and programme evaluation
• staff within organisations delivering interventions with a responsibility for evaluation
Course Overview
This workshop will look at planning for interventions and evaluating their outcomes and impact from the perspective of contribution analysis. Contribution analysis is a way to make contribution claims about cause and effect in the absence of counterfactuals. It can also be used to better plan interventions and design better data gathering for evaluations. Contribution analysis will be situated within theory-based evaluation approaches and within approaches to evaluate complex interventions. New approaches to developing and representing theories of change—as distinct from results chains and logic models—will be presented. Examples of theories of change and contribution analysis will be used from several countries.
Course Aims and Objectives
This course aims at providing participants with an understanding of the ideas behind contribution analysis, the benefits from adopting this theory-based approach, insight into recent developments and experience working with a contribution analysis framework.
Course Directors
Prof. Marc-Henry Soulet, Department Sociologie, Social Policy and Social Work, University of Fribourg
Dr Marlène M. Läubli Loud, (DPhil) Lecturer in Public Sector Evaluation, Department Department Sociologie, Social Policy and Social Work, University of Fribourg.
Course Facilitator
The course will be led by Dr John Mayne, PhD. He is currently an independent advisor and consultant on public sector performance. Until 2004, he was with the Canadian Federal Government, where he worked in the Office of the Comptroller General, the Treasury Board Secretariat and the Office of the Auditor General. Dr. Mayne was instrumental in the development of the federal government’s approach to evaluating the performance of programs. He was involved with the development of government-wide accountability and reporting regimes, and effective approaches to managing for results and performance measurement. In the national audit office, he was responsible for the audit areas of accountability, governance, alternative service delivery, and performance measurement and reporting.
Date and Place
19th-20th May, 2011, Swiss Federal Office of Personnel, Eigerstrasse 71, Berne
Language
Course language is English. However, of course participants are encouraged to contribute in their native language (French/German).
Course Fees
CHFrs.650 for SEVAL members, CHFrs.700 for non-members
Enrolment deadline
01 April, 2011 – (Number of participants is limited)
At the EEC conference in Prague
I am currently at the European Evaluation Society International Conference in Prague, Czech Republic. With over 600 evaluators, there have been no shortage of interesting discussions and debates on evaluation. The following topics I’ve found most interesting so far:
– How independent are evaluators
– Networks and partnerships evaluation
– Evaluating policy influence
– Going beyond standard training evaluation
– New approaches to evaluating non-formal learning
I’ll be blogging further on some of these subjects in the next weeks so stay tuned…
intelligent measurement 