WHEN:
February 23, 2018 from 8:15 to 9:45 AM

WHERE:
The Aspen Institute, 2300 N Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20037
Large Conference Room, 8th Floor

WHO:
Evaluation Experts Robin Kane and Carlisle Levine

Robin Kane and Carlisle Levine will offer an overview of a framework for assessing contribution analysis in policy work, helping evaluators show whether and how advocacy makes a difference. They’ll illustrate the approach through examples from five case studies. Together with co-authors Carlyn Orians and Claire Reinelt, Robin and Carlisle collaborated on a  brief from the Center for Evaluation Innovation on using contribution analysis in policy work and a well-attended session at the 2017 American Evaluation Association conference. Robin and Carlisle will present an overview of the challenge and their framework for addressing it. And they’ll engage the audience in thinking critically about the interaction and relationship between advocates and other influences within a complex multi-actor environment.

Robin Kane, MPA, is founder/principal of RK Evaluation & Strategies, LLC. She has more than 25 years of experience in program planning, evaluation, policy advocacy, and communications in the public service sector.  Her consulting practice bridges the worlds of advocacy and evaluation. Kane directs comprehensive process and outcome evaluations, facilitates planning efforts, and conducts evaluation trainings. Previously, she served in public relations for advocacy organizations for many years. Kane has a Master of Public Administration degree with a concentration in nonprofit management from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Foreign Service and international politics from the Pennsylvania State University.


Carlisle Levine, Ph.D., is President and CEO of BLE Solutions, LLC, which helps organizations increase their effectiveness and contribute to better outcomes through evaluation, applied research and technology services. Carlisle has worked in international development and peacebuilding for 25 years and evaluation for 18 years, with a focus on strategy, program and advocacyevaluation. She is a skilled facilitator and trainer with expertise in leading complex evaluations, building staff evaluation capacity, developing M&E systems, fostering collaborative learning processes within dispersed and diverse teams, and developing knowledge sharing systems.