Mind Your Space: A Research on Evaluation Study on Facilitating with Power Dynamics in Mind within Virtual and In-Person Spaces

Power dynamics are inevitable among stakeholders and evaluators, impacting evaluation processes. With the COVID-19 pandemic increasing the use of remote spaces and technology tools in evaluation, the advantages of diverse stakeholder inclusion need to be balanced with the potential disadvantages related to stakeholder interactions and engagement, especially when considering power dynamics between stakeholders. Evaluators attending to power dynamics may possibly adjust their approaches when facilitating in remote spaces. This qualitative research on evaluation study conducted semi-structured interviews with practicing evaluators (n=12) to find approaches in addressing power dynamics among stakeholders in virtual and in-person spaces. This session highlights effective strategies and challenges and participants will be provided with the opportunity to reflect and share their own experiences in how they consider power dynamics in different spaces, engaging stakeholders for equitable participation particularly with the present United States-based tensions toward acknowledging power and other DEI related issues in professional spaces.