A comment on a recent webinar I attended prompted me to think about the different criteria evaluators hold ourselves to, the values clients and institutions want us to hold, and whether any of them are still relevant in the shifting world of M&E.
The comment talked about what localisation means for evaluators and whether ‘the localisation agenda’ is going to put us out of a job. It made me wonder about what localisation means for independence in evaluation and where it sits in relation to the other values evaluators hold dear.
[On a related note: what even would those values be?! New post coming up possibly?]
So can localisation and independence coexist, and if so, how?
Localization isn’t just a trendy buzzword; it’s a recognition of the importance of context. Every community, region, or nation carries with it a wealth of knowledge and experience. By tapping into this reservoir, project evaluations can resonate more closely with the very people they intend to serve. But it’s not just about geographies; it’s about individual identities.
Every individual brings forth a unique perspective which is shaped by – and yes, also biased by – their cultural, socioeconomic, and personal experiences. Localisation values these perspectives and unique experiences, and centres that throughout the project evaluation process. I use localisation throughout the cycle of course, since it’s a little useless evaluating a project with a localised lens if it’s not been designed in that way – it’s automatically going to fail!
But back to evaluation.
Historically, evaluators hold their independence – socially and politically – and their scientific ‘objectivity’ in high regard. However, I’ve never believed that any human is capable of truly being apolitical, since the very act of existing in a system means we have certain opinions about what’s around us, and will hold subjective viewpoints about it. What may pass as apolitical thinking may be an individual not recognising their biases. We aren’t objective scientific machines – and I don’t think we should aspire to be. We make judgements every day in all aspects of our life, so it’s impossible as a researcher to look at any set of data and not have an opinion that is deeply shaped by our upbringing, our localised agenda, and our baises.
But the appeal of independence is slightly different; it’s the ability to have an external, unbiased perspective to help us judge the merits and pitfalls of a project without vested interests skewing the perspective. But what is lost in striving for impartiality – have we inadvertently distanced our evaluations from realities and the intricacies of local contexts?
Positionality
Positionality — our inherent biases and perspectives influenced by our identities and experiences — plays a pivotal role in how we interpret data, narratives, and outcomes. No evaluator is a blank slate. By acknowledging this fact, we open the doors to richer discussions about how our own identities shape our evaluations. For instance, an evaluator with a background in gender studies might place particular emphasis on gender dynamics within a project, bringing to light critical insights that another evaluator might overlook.
The challenge, then, is to strike a balance: to allow local perspectives to shine through while also maintaining a level of objectivity. This is where the intertwining of localisation and independence comes into play.
What the future could look like
Instead of viewing localisation and independence as being at odds with each other, can we envision a model where they complement one another? Where local voices are amplified and given prominence, but external checks and balances ensure objectivity?
Such a model would require deep introspection, a willingness to embrace and understand our own positionalities, and a commitment to inclusivity. Evaluators would need to be trained not just in methodologies, but in cultural sensitivities, recognizing the wealth of knowledge that local communities bring to the table.
Are we ready for that?
What are your thoughts on this delicate dance between localisation and independence? Do you think they can coexist harmoniously, or are they inherently contradictory?
