The Learning Edge of Implementation: Developmental Evaluation in an Engineering Research Center

Developmental Evaluation (DE) offers a flexible approach to learning and adaptation, but applying it in Engineering Research Centers (ERCs); large, multi-institutional hubs for STEM innovation can be challenging. This session explores how DE evolved within an NSF-funded ERC, shifting from a compliance tool to a driver of institutional learning, sustainability, and research impact. Drawing on Transformative Learning Theory (Mezirow), Total Power Systems (Oshry), and Decolonizing Methodologies (Smith), I will share how DE helped turn crises into learning opportunities, empowered middle managers as change agents, and strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration. The session will highlight practical strategies for embedding DE in ERCs, ensuring evaluation findings are not just reports but fuel for innovation and institutional growth. The session will end with an open discussion on the role of different theoretical frameworks in shaping evaluation within complex research settings.
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