27: Evaluation with a Compass, Not a Blueprint: Synthesizing Place-Based and Utilization Focused Evaluation

This Birds of a Feather explores the creative and practical possibilities at the intersection of place-based and utilization-focused evaluation. Drawing from our Center’s work in the Southern U.S., we’ll briefly share cases where evaluations were grounded in local context and designed for real-world use. Place-based evaluation emphasizes histories, systems, and assets within specific communities, often prioritizing equity and community voice. Utilization-focused evaluation centers intentional use by specific stakeholders to support decision-making and learning. When combined, these approaches offer a powerful lens for designing evaluations that are both responsive and impactful. After brief case examples, participants will engage in a facilitated discussion to explore shared challenges, emerging practices, and generative tensions. Together, we’ll reflect on questions like: What does it mean to center both place and use in evaluation?How can prioritizing connections to place and to use better equip evaluators to share leadership with evaluation end users?