Evaluating to improve
the quality of public and community interventions
Public organizations rely on evaluation to demonstrate the relevance and value of their programs and policies. However, these organizations often do not have the required capacity to produce quality evaluations and to use them to support decision-making and improve interventions.
The research work conducted by Dr. Isabelle Bourgeois seeks to better understand the individual and organizational factors that influence the production and use of quality evaluations.
Recently, Dr. Bourgeois and international collaborators published an integrative review of the literature on evaluation capacity building spanning 20 years of research and practice. Their paper was published in the American Journal of Evaluation.
One of the most innovative aspects of our research program is the LaboEval, a social innovation laboratory focusing on evaluation capacity building in non-profit organizations. The lab supports non-profit organizations interested in evaluating their programs or initiatives by providing them with tailored training and by implementing a specific evaluation capacity building strategy to support their work. This five-year project will contribute to the advancement of knowledge on evaluation capacity within the non-profit sector, while supporting non-profits as they strive to reach their social development objectives. The LaboÉval receives funding from the Insight Program of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Other research projects also focus on various aspects of evaluation capacity building, such as a project focusing on evaluation practices in the Canadian federal government and a study related to the professional and academic training of future evaluators.
News
Stay up to date with our latest updates
Presentation on the LaboEval
Isabelle Bourgeois and David Buetti presented an overview of the LaboEval at a virtual event held by the Centre for Research on Educational and Community Services.
New blog post on program evaluation in times of difficult choices
A new blog post (in French) summarizing Professor Isabelle Bourgeois’ intervention during the IPAC Webinar on February 25, 2022 is available.
Publication of an article in the Canadian Public Administration journal
Isabelle Bourgeois and Stéphanie Maltais published an article on neutral assessments in the Canadian federal evaluation function.
MEDIA
We are available to talk about evaluation!
Members of our team are available to speak in the media about evaluation, program management, and public policy. Do not hesitate to contact us!