conference

“We live in an era of growing wealth of information and of improved means to collect, analyse and share it—yet, counter-intuitively, we live in post-truth times, where applying evidence is not always easy, straightforward or even valued. Against this backdrop we ask: what are the key issues concerning complexity, legitimacy and ethics that we as evaluators need to address in order to become channels for positive improvements in society? What can evaluation contribute to resolve the major issues of our times? Under what conditions can evaluators contribute to the debate? What are the implications for evaluation of the Anthropocene, this epoch in which we as humans so heavily impact on the world? Join us in answering these questions during the 14th European Evaluation Society Biennial Conference «Evaluation in an Uncertain World – Complexity, Legitimacy and Ethics».
Objective:
The EES 2020 Conference aims to serve as a catalyst for innovative thinking on the role of evaluation and of evaluators; on the tools and approaches which we currently have and those we can create and adapt in the future; on how we can capitalise on the information we generate; and on the impact we can make.
Anchoring our thinking on the dichotomy between the wealth of information we have access to and the place our society gives to it, we have organised the Conference along four strands:

Theme 1: The Anthropocene and its complex problems: The role of evaluation

Theme 2: Adapting the toolbox: Methodological challenges

Theme 3: Propelling and provoking the agenda: The role and responsibility of evaluators

Theme 4: Greasing the wheels of evaluation: the role of evaluators, evaluation commissioners/ evaluator funders (donors) in ensuring that knowledge changes practice

These topics allow for (and require) more than the traditional paper, posters or round table sessions: we invite you to consider proposing innovate formats, including fishbowl sessions, thank tank sessions, as well as sessions on tools and birds of a feather sessions.
We wish to facilitate the most interesting, forward looking and engaging discussions we can and therefore encourage you to think innovatively about how to best approach the topic you wish to engage on. We are planning other opportunities for engagement among participants, including speed networking, pop up sessions and evaluation games.
The EES2020 Conference keynote presentations will involve a variety of formats with the intent of animating discussion further. Thus far we have confirmed a number of keynote speakers who will be part of keynote discussions, lightening talks and invitations to engage in critical and forward-looking thinking. Thus far the following scholars have confirmed their participation, but we are currently engaging in securing even more eminent personalities who we hope will join us in our exploration of the challenges and discovery of innovative solutions.
Professor Peter Dahler Larsen, Department for Political Science at University of Copenhagen
Professor Zenda Ofir, a South Africa scientist and independent international evaluation specialist
Sebastian Lemire, PhD, is a specialist in evaluation and applied studies in the education, market development, and social welfare fields
Estelle Raimondo, PhD, is an evaluation expert at the IEG’s Human Development Unit
Professor Frans Leeuw, Department of at Law, Public Policy and Social Science Research, University of Maastricht
Dr. Barbara Befani, Research Fellow, University of Surrey, Evaluation Researcher / Consultant
Astrid Brouselle, Director School of Public Administration University of Victoria BC Canada
Vesna Bajšanski-Agić, European Foundation Centre and Executive Director of Mozaik

We hope to welcome you in Copenhagen in September 2020 and to engage with you in inspired and inspiring discussions on what is yet to come in the evaluation world.”