Exploring Stakeholder Engagement in Impact Evaluation Planning in Educational Development Work

Abstract

This article presents a case study of engaging stakeholders in the early stages of an impact evaluation of educational development work in a UK university. The rationale for undertaking participative impact evaluation is outlined in relation to the national and local context. The aim is to contribute to wider knowledge about appropriate methodology to lead to a better understanding of change processes in learning and teaching. We outline how stakeholder engagement in evaluation in this context has been influenced by the Aspen Institute's `Theories of Change' approach, and how we interpreted and applied it in the context of a grant scheme for educational development work. Our experience is discussed in relation to previous learning about the application of the approach, in particular in the health sector. This has highlighted implications for future work, not least that it should be informed by a more appropriate theoretical framework for exploring the complexity of evaluation in this context.