Cultural responsiveness in evaluation

Culturally responsive evaluation (CRE) approaches grew from a desire to uplift systematically and historically marginalized voices, consider epistemologies of difference and critical theories, and decolonize and challenge the status quo in evaluation. While many Black, Indigenous, and persons of color (BIPOC) evaluators' identities, roles, and practices are rooted in ontological and axiological commitments to cultural responsiveness and social justice, over the course of the past 20 years - especially the past three years - these sentiments have increasingly gained traction. As a result, CRE has evolved into a multiplicity of approaches with anti-racism aspirations, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion intentions, and intersectional and anti-deficit orientations. In this chapter, we outline the evolution of cultural responsiveness in evaluation theory and practice, critique and sort through the current plethora of culturally responsive and equity-focused approaches, and reflect upon the potential and challenges of CRE in a post-pandemic and social justice-oriented world.