Welcome to our monthly roundup of new and noteworthy evaluation news and resources – here is the latest.

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New and Noteworthy — Reads

The Complexity Evaluation Toolkit

The Centre for the Evaluation of Complexity Across the Nexus recently published its complexity evaluation toolkit. The toolkit collates information about complex evaluation and covers key issues in commissioning, designing, and managing an evaluation. The toolkit is targeted for those with some understanding of evaluation but needing guidance on how to handle complexity. 

12 Foundational Principles for Data Story Design

Juiceanalytics has resources on its site for data professionals. They have a number of resources on data visualization, data storytelling, dashboards, and data products, but its most recent resource is on principles for data story design. The resource presents 12 principles in 12 slides that evaluators should know and practice when presenting data.

Reflections from BetterEvaluation’s outgoing CEO, Patricia Rogers

BetterEvaluation’s CEO, Patricia Rogers, has passed on the reins. After 12 years in her role of CEO she shares some of her highlights and reflections, including: how and why BetterEvaluation started; how its Rainbow Framework was developed; the global nature of BetterEvaluation’s audience, and; the different ways people find BetterEvaluation useful.

Reflections on the Funder & Evaluator Affinity Network

The Funder & Evaluator Affinity Network (FEAN) was created to try and address how evaluators and funders work together to deepen social impact. Four years later it is “sunsetting” and, like good evaluators, asking “so what?” and “now what?” This article outlines the difference FEAN made to its members and four reflections of what is needed going forward.

New and Noteworthy — Courses & Events

We need to talk about evaluation

• Organized by: Centre for Cultural Value

• Date: October 13, 2021

• Type: Webinar

Virginia Tech Speaker Series

• Organized by: Virginia Tech

• Date(s): October 14, 2021 (Grant Evaluation as a Career); November 18, 2021 (Culturally Responsive STEM Evaluation)

• Type: Webinar

Participatory Evaluation: Community-Based Assessment and Strategic Learning Practices

• Organized by: Tamarack Institute

• Date: November 17, 2021

• Type: Virtual Workshop