Why Community Voice is Critical in Research and Evaluation
I’m honored to have been selected as a LEEAD Scholar with Expanding the Bench. This opportunity has already inspired me to reflect deeply on the vital role community voice plays in creating meaningful and equitable research and evaluation. While the fellowship has not yet begun, this recognition reinforces my belief that involving the people most impacted by programs and policies is not just beneficial but essential for authentic and actionable results.
What Does Community Voice Mean?
Community voice refers to actively engaging those affected by a program or intervention throughout the research and evaluation process. This means more than just collecting data from participants. It involves collaboration, co-design, and centering their lived experiences and expertise.
Why Is Community Voice Critical?
Including community perspectives leads to:
More accurate and relevant insights that capture real-world complexities.
Evaluation approaches tailored to cultural and contextual nuances, increasing trust and validity.
Greater buy-in from stakeholders which helps ensure findings are used to improve programs.
Without community voice, research risks missing critical gaps or perpetuating misunderstandings.
Lessons From My Experience
In recent projects, I have seen firsthand how integrating community and stakeholder input enriches the evaluation process. For example, engaging frontline staff, community organizations, and peer support specialists revealed barriers and facilitators that traditional surveys might have overlooked.
How Organizations Can Center Community Voice
Organizations seeking to deepen community engagement in evaluation can:
Involve community members in designing research questions and tools.
Use mixed methods, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches, to capture diverse perspectives.
Build ongoing partnerships rather than one-time data collection events.
Share findings transparently and invite feedback before finalizing reports.
Conclusion
Community voice is not just a nice-to-have in evaluation. It is a cornerstone of equity, relevance, and impact. I am excited to continue exploring and applying these principles in my work, and I welcome conversations with others passionate about elevating community perspectives.
If you are interested in collaborating or learning more about equitable evaluation practices, please feel free to reach out.