Description

Evaluation plays a critical role in the policy lifecycle, offering evidence to inform future decisions. However, for evaluation to truly shape policy and planning, it must be designed with intention, implemented robustly, and crucially acted upon.

This roundtable will begin by exploring the importance of thoughtful evaluation design, including how planning for use and influence can be embedded from the outset. Drawing on real-world examples from our work as a combined authority, we will reflect on where evaluation has successfully informed policy and where it has fallen short. We will consider:

- How evaluation findings are (and aren’t) used in decision-making,

- The importance of dissemination and communication strategies,

- The role of organisational culture, and partnerships in enabling evaluation use.

Participants will be invited to share their own experiences and insights through a facilitated discussion structured around the following questions:

- What does effective evaluation look like in practice, particularly in terms of influencing policy and planning?

- What common barriers prevent evaluation from driving change?

- What strategies have others used to overcome these barriers?

- How can evaluation design and dissemination better reflect diverse perspectives and ensure findings lead to more equitable policy outcomes?

- What can we do differently today, and what needs to change in the longer term?

This session will offer both informative content and space for open dialogue. It aims to help participants clarify shared challenges, exchange practical solutions, and build connections with others working to embed evaluation more deeply into organisational learning and decision-making.