Colonialism and Evaluation: Navigating the Path to Decolonization In October, Elizabeth McGee of LEAP Consulting attended the American Evaluation (AEA) Conference in Indianapolis, IN, where the topic of colonialism in evaluation was predominant. At the conference, it was noted that acknowledging colonialism’s existence and ongoing power is a first step,
The Significance of Data in Evaluation and Applied Research Data serves as the cornerstone of our work in our roles as evaluators and applied researchers. It is an ever-present companion, whether we are gathering it, analyzing it, or crafting comprehensive reports based on it. However, our daily interaction with data
September 10, 2023 — by Elizabeth McGee It’s a time of change for those who apply for or hold EPSCoR grants through the National Science Foundation (NSF). As most EPSCoR states know, the current EPSCoR grants are sunsetting and two new grants are taking its place: the EPSCoR Collaborations for
August 20, 2023 — by Elizabeth McGee On August 18, 2023, from 12-3pm ET, Elizabeth led a workshop on Reducing Harm in Evaluation Practices as part of AEA Summer Learning Series. Evaluation has played a crucial role in shaping policies and programs, but conventional approaches often fail to address. The
July 14, 2023 — by Elizabeth McGee At the Repair & Renew: Truth be Told 3rd Annual Conference, Elizabeth McGee, an esteemed scholar and advocate, delivered an insightful talk on reevaluating conventional evaluation methods and introducing a new structured methodology grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) principles. This
July 27, 2023 At the Repair & Renew: Truth be Told 3rd Annual Conference, Elizabeth McGee, an esteemed scholar and advocate, delivered an insightful talk on reevaluating conventional evaluation methods and introducing a new structured methodology grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) principles. This talk aimed to foster
Those who work with data and engage in research practices are in a powerful position to heal the communities we work in, but we are also at risk of causing harm. Data is powerful and should be treated with immense care—it shapes resource allocations and perceptions of truth and reality.
July 27, 2023 — by Elizabeth McGee In June of 2023, as part of the Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA) conference’s Town Hall. A thought-provoking conversation unfolded regarding the challenges and opportunities within Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). Presenters Elizabeth McGee and Kaylyn Garcia led a discussion that delved
June 29, 2023 — by Elizabeth McGee The 15th Annual NORDP Research Development Conference occurred on May 7-10, 2023, in Arlington, VA, themed around Growing Connections. Elizabeth McGee led a workshop on incorporating (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice) DEIJ Practices — which include acknowledging bias, identities, lived experiences and assumptions—into research
April 8, 2023 — by Elizabeth McGee Originally posted on AEA365 Website under Organizational Learning and Evaluation Capacity Building on April 7, 2023. It was curated by Elizabeth Grim. Effective Meeting Strategies My name is Elizabeth McGee (she/her), founder of LEAP Consulting, and the soon-to-be Center for Radical Evaluation and
November 21, 2023 — by Elizabeth McGee Understanding the essence of transformative learning is akin to cultivating a garden with care and dedication. Evaluation without learning is like planting seeds and watering the soil, but not taking the time to witness the transformation of seeds into flourishing plants. I’m Elizabeth
January 7, 2023 — by Elizabeth McGee LEAP’s Support to EPSCoR In South Dakota, the EPSCoR program is undergoing a comprehensive evaluation by LEAP Consulting to assess its impact, progress, and effectiveness. This evaluation delves into the outcomes of the EPSCoR Program Evaluation, focusing on research infrastructure, STEM education, and
December 8, 2021 — by Elizabeth McGee In Summer of 2020, to understand the barriers for success in Action for Racial Justice (ARJ)’s pilot program, ARJ hired LEAP Consulting, to evaluate the pilot program. LEAP met with the team behind ARJ to brainstorm a Theory of Change to articulate the
April 21, 2023 — by Elizabeth McGee The Earth spins on its axis at the same rate it always has. However, today’s life is faster, quicker, and more complex. Rapidly advancing technology, climate change, struggling economies, and global politics drive these changes. This complexity affects the work each of us
March , 2020 — by Elizabeth McGee In my role as a Consultant specializing in Evaluating Complex Systems Change Initiatives, I work closely with clients aiming to transform large-scale systems. This demands the skill to simplify complex initiatives for effective evaluations. A Bit About Systems Thinking In recent decades, both
February 15, 2020 — by Elizabeth McGee Hello, I’m Elizabeth McGee, Co-Founder, and Senior Consultant at LEAP Consulting, where I help nonprofits, foundations, and public institutions achieve impact through meaningful evaluations and strategic support. Today, I want to delve into the evolution of action-orientation in the field of Community Psychology.
October 11, 2019 — by Elizabeth McGee The New York Times recently highlighted LEAP Consulting’s groundbreaking work with the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) in the realm of data-driven metrics in impact investment! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to GIIN for creating this amazing tool for the field. At LEAP,
May 31, 2019 — by Elizabeth McGee In recent decades, “systems thinking” has become more commonplace in both the public and private sectors and has been proven to be a more effective way to solve complex societal problems. Along with the shift to more comprehensive systems-level interventions, there has also
December 11, 2018 — by Elizabeth McGee LEAP Consulting is excited to announce a new partnership with the Global Impact Investing Network. In the next few months, we’ll work with a GIIN taskforce to update and create new social impact metrics for their new project, IRIS+. LEAP and GIIN will be incorporating public
