Evaluating the scientific and socioeconomic impact of research activities is becoming increasingly important for securing future funding. This challenge is complicated by the fact that research projects can cover many different types of activities in many different geographical locations, targeted at different audiences.

Using the example of the Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure (RI) this workshop looks at how to develop an evaluation framework that can help pull together different strands of activity in a large-scale project. Such strands can involve different types of scientific research, as well as associated outreach and training efforts. Using as a starting point the OECD Reference Framework for Assessing the Scientific and Socio-economic Impact of Research Infrastructures, the session will orient participants to the way that framework has informed the evaluation of Europlanet 2024 RI. Participants will then be given an overview of logic models and their use in evaluation. Finally, the remainder of the workshop will be dedicated to supporting participants in starting to map out approaches to assessing their own projects, including and going beyond scientific impacts of activity.

You can pre-register for the session here (not essential), especially if you would like to take part in our evaluation “surgery” at the end of the session where we can discuss projects you may want to evaluate.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/evaluation-frameworks-what-are-they-and-how-can-they-help-tickets-120198528033

The session is led by Jen DeWitt (Europlanet 2024 RI, Independent Research and Evaluation Consultant)

12:00-12.10 – Introduction to session

12.10-12.20 – Why evaluate?

12.20-12.30 – Introduction to logic models

12.30-12.45 – Overview of OECD Reference Framework

12.45-12.55 – Europlanet 2024 RI evaluation example

12.55-13.05 – Discussion of what might also apply to other projects and how they might be evaluated

13.05-13.15 – Introduction to Europlanet Outreach Evaluation Toolkit

13.15-13.35– Surgery breakout session: What are you evaluating and what approaches might work for you?

13.35-13.45 – Discussion and session end.