Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

Over the last 10 years, the Institute has been supporting the development and implementation of locally led, politically informed and culturally appropriate approaches to monitoring and evaluation which contribute to learning and adaptation. Much of this work has occurred in the Pacific and Indigenous Australia. Drawing on this experience, the Institute has produced or contributed to a wide range of practice-orientated resources as listed below. The resources explore what Indigenous and Pasifika-led approaches to monitoring and evaluation look like, how to monitor and evaluate policy engagement and how monitoring and evaluation can be used to support politically informed learning and adaptation. The resources include journal articles, working papers, blogs and videos, some of which have been produced in collaboration with colleagues working in the Pacific and Indigenous Australia. The names of Institute staff and honorary associates are highlighted in bold. If you have any questions about any of these resources, then please contact us at socialchange@latrobe.edu.au.

What does Indigenous and Pasifika-led monitoring and evaluation look like?

Campbell, D., Stanley, L. and Denney, L. (2022) Aboriginal Governance and Management Program Independent Evaluation for the Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the Northern Territory.

Campbell, D. and Illingworth, A. (2022). Central Land Council Community Development Program Monitoring Report July 2020 - June 2021. Central Land Council

Kelly, L., Whiteside, M., Barich, H., and Tsey, K. (2021). Checking up to keep on track: An Aboriginal-led approach to monitoring well-being. Evaluation Journal of Australia, August 19.

Campbell, D., Napaljarri, M.R. and Kelly, L. (2021). ‘Australia’s Indigenous Evaluation Strategy: Making good on the promise of centring Indigenous experience’. Australian Evaluation Association, opinion piece.

CHSSC. (August 2022). Summary Notes from Youth Talanoa to discuss Storytelling for Tracking Change. Event supported by CHSSC.

Kelly, L. (2021). Northern Land Council Community Planning and Development Program July 2020 to June 2021 Monitoring Report. Northern Land Council.

Pacific Community (2020). Pacific Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Capacity Strengthening Rebbilib. Report produced by Pacific MEL, Strategy Performance and Learning Unit, Office of the Director General, SPC. With input from CHSSC staff formerly with SPC.

Roche, C. and Kelly, L. (2015). Theory of Change and Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the Healing Foundation. Healing Foundation.

How can policy engagement be monitored and evaluated?

Roche, C., Tomlin, A. & Krishna, U. (2021, January). How do I monitor, evaluate and learn about policy engagement?. Oxford: University of Oxford.

Roche, C., Tomlin, A. & Krishna, U. (2021, January). Principles of monitoring, evaluation and learning for policy engagement. Oxford: University of Oxford.

Roche, C., Tomlin, A. & Krishna, U. (2021, January). Monitoring, evaluation and learning for policy engagement: approaches, questions and resources. Oxford: University of Oxford.

Roche, C., Tomlin, A. & Krishna, U. (2021, January). How universities and funders can support monitoring, evaluation and learning for policy engagement. Oxford: University of Oxford.

Roche, C., Tomlin, A., Krishna, U., and Pryor, W. (2021, May). Proving and Improving – Evaluating policy engagement is an opportunity for researchers and institutions to learn as well as demonstrate impact. LSE Impact Blog.

How can monitoring and evaluation be used to support politically informed learning and adaptation?

Roche, C. and Illingworth, A. (September 15, 2022). Does performance monitoring lead to better performance? Development Intelligence Lab Intel Series.

Craney, A., Denney, L., Hudson, D. and Krishna, U. (2022). Adaptive programming, politics and learning in development, Chapter 57 in K. Sims, N. Banks, S. Engel, P. Hodge, J. Makuwira, N. Nakamura, J. Rigg, A. Salamanca, and P. Yeophantong (eds) Routledge Handbook of Global Development. London: Routledge

Roche, C., Brown, G., Clune, S., Shields, N., and Lewis, V. (2021). Thinking with complexity in evaluation: A case study reviewEvaluation Journal of Australasia. 21(3):146-162

Aston, T., Roche, C., Schaaf, M., and Cant, S. (2021) Monitoring and Evaluation for Thinking and Working Politically. Evaluation. 2021; https://doi.org/10.1177/13563890211053028.

Roche, C. et al. (2021). Engaging stakeholders with evidence and uncertainty online toolkit. Centre for Excellence in Development Impact and Learning

Roche, C., Tyrrel, L., Kelly, L., Jackson, E. (2020). Uncertainty and COVID-19: A turning point for Monitoring Evaluation, Research and Learning. Abt Associates Working Paper Series.

Tyrrel, L., Kelly, L., Roche, C. and Jackson, L. (2020, 27 May). Can we understand COVID-19 fast enough – and well enough – to make a difference? Oxfam blog.

Kelly, L. (2018). Implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Video prepared for La Trobe University Master of International Development and ACFID Making Change Happen Professional Development Program.

Babon, A. and Denney, L. (2018, 20 September). The role of research and learning in adaptive programming. DevPolicy Blog.

Roche, C. and Kelly, L. (2018, 18 September). Monitoring and evaluation for adaptive programming. DevPolicy Blog.

Roche, C. (2018, 3 July). Simplicity, Accountability and Relationships: Three ways to ensure MEL supports Adaptive Management. Oxfam blog.

Roche, C. (2016, 15 November). Overcoming Premature Evaluation. From Poverty to Power: How active citizens and effective states can change the world. Oxfam blog.

Eyben, R., Guijt, I., Roche, C. and Shutt, C (eds). The Politics of Evidence and Results in International Development. Practical Action Publishing. 2015.

Green, D. (2015, 5 August). The Politics of Results and Evidence in International Development: important new book. Oxfam blog.

Guijt, I., Roche, C.(2014). Does Impact Evaluation in Development Matter? Well, It Depends What It’s For! Eur J Dev Res 26, 46–54.

O'Keefe, M.,Sidel, J., Marquette, H., Roche, C., Hudson, D. and Dasandi, N. (September 2014), Using Action Research and Learning for Politically Informed Programming, Developmental Leadership Program Research Paper.

Roche, C. and Kelly, L. (2012). The Evaluation of Politics and the Politics of Evaluation. DLP Background Paper.

Roche, C. and Kelly, L. (2012). Monitoring and Evaluation when Politics Matter: Notes from Program Experience. DLP Background Paper.