Eval Cafe: Trends in Digital Approaches to MERL

Abstract: The past decade has seen a rise in access and use of mobile phones and the Internet — though half of the globe is still offline. COVID-19 accelerated the use of digital approaches to Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning, yet concerns about inclusion, data quality, and potential risks and harms with digital approaches have prompted discussion on whether remote approaches to MERL are reinforcing inequalities, ignoring realities of the most vulnerable, and contributing to greater normalization of surveillance. This presentation will current trends — both promising and concerning — in "MERL Tech” and offer space for discussion on how MERL practitioners can contribute to ethical and intentional use of digital tools and approaches.

Presenter: Linda Raftree, Independent consultant and Founder of MERL Tech