An Analytical Framework to Detect and Evaluate the Dimensions of Power
Power is dynamic and complex, shaping relationships, political agendas, knowledge, and systems. Interrogating the relational, political, discursive, and structural dimensions of power uncovers subtle factors that affect efforts to promote social change. Yet evaluations often focus on how power dynamics affect the evaluation process, rather than how they affect the program’s process or outcomes. Exposing how these dimensions of power influence an initiative produces a more complete understanding of its impact, enabling inquiries to be more thorough and contextually relevant. In addition, it can reveal obstacles and opportunities, leading to the formation of more effective future initiatives. Using qualitative methods, this analysis applies and extends prior work to propose an analytical framework to identify the dimensions of power hindering or facilitating a university initiative. Fully examining the various ways power manifests transforms evaluation practice to better detect factors affecting pressing societal issues.
Session Submitters: Rebecca Friesen and Adriana Cimetta
