Evaluating Social Programs IRC - Jordan Webinar Series
Event Description
While our in-person course hosted by the International Rescue Committee in Amman has been postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic, we are excited to announce this four-part webinar series. Join us each week from 3:00-4:30pm EEST (8:00-9:30am EDT) for this webinar training series on Evaluating Social Programs. Over the course of four weeks, these webinars will provide an introduction to why and how randomized evaluations can be used to rigorously measure social impact. The sessions will draw on examples from humanitarian and development programs delivered in the Middle East and around the world.
The interactive sessions will combine lectures by senior J-PAL staff with case study breakout sessions led by J-PAL research associates. Immediately following the sessions, J-PAL staff will be available for TA office hours from 4:30-5:00pm EEST (9:30-10:00am EDT). While we strongly encourage participants to commit to attending all four sessions to gain a comprehensive overview of randomized evaluations, participants can register for any combination of the sessions:
Session 1: Introduction to Randomized Evaluations in the Humanitarian Sector and Why Randomize?
June 15, 8:00am-10:00am EDT | 3:00pm-5:00pm EEST (Registration deadline: June 11)
The first session will provide a brief introduction to randomized evaluations in humanitarian settings. Following this, we will present different impact evaluation methodologies and discuss the advantages of randomized evaluations through a lecture and interactive case study.
Speakers: Phoebe Sloane, Research, Monitoring, and Learning Lead, Ahlan Simsim, International Rescue Committee, Alison Fahey, Associate Director of Policy, J-PAL Global and Project Director, J-PAL MENA, and Ben Morse, Senior Research, Education and Training Manager, J-PAL Global
Format: Lecture + interactive case study breakout
Session 2: Research Ethics in Humanitarian Settings
June 22, 8:00am-9:30am EDT | 3:00pm-4:30pm EEST (Registration deadline: June 18)
This session will discuss the framework researchers use when thinking about ethics in study design and implementation, and how to apply that framework in various real-world examples.
Speaker: Sarah Gault, Senior Research, Education, and Training Associate, J-PAL Global
Format: Lecture + interactive breakout discussion
Session 3: The Generalizability Puzzle
June 29, 8:00am-9:30am EDT | 3:00pm-4:30pm EEST (Registration deadline: June 25)
How can results from one context inform policies in another? This lecture will provide a framework for how to apply evidence across contexts.
Speaker: Alison Fahey, Associate Director of Policy, J-PAL Global and Project Director, J-PAL MENA
Format: Lecture + moderated Q&A
Session 4: Building Effective Academic-NGO Partnerships in the Humanitarian Space
July 13, 8:00am-9:30am EDT | 3:00pm-4:30pm EEST (Registration deadline: July 9)
Bringing together researchers and implementing partners from real-world evaluations, this panel will offer insights into how researchers and practitioners can work together to carry out a successful project and forge a partnership for evidence-based decision making. The session will be moderated by a J-PAL staff member and have an interactive Q&A at the end.
Speakers: Phoebe Sloane, Research, Monitoring, and Learning Lead, Ahlan Simsim, International Rescue Committee, Hiro Yoshikawa, Principal Investigator for Ahlan Simsim and Co-Director, NYU Global TIES for Children, Karine Taha, Research and Development Department, War Child Holland, Felicity Brown, Research and Development Department, War Child Holland, and May Aoun, Save the Children USA (formerly Research and Development Department, War Child Holland)
Format: Panel discussion + moderated Q&A
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Overview and Objectives
Participants can expect to:
- Gain a clear understanding of why and when researchers and policymakers might choose to conduct randomized evaluations and how randomized evaluations are designed in real-world settings;
- Engage with coursework designed to help participants apply learnings at their home organizations through real-world examples;
- Participate in small group breakouts to work through material with J-PAL staff members who have expertise in the design and implementation of randomized evaluations; and
- Learn strategies to maximize policy impact and assess the generalizability of research findings; and
- Join a community of practice with other decision-makers who can provide support in the design and use of impact evaluations.