Finding Depth in the Doing: Making the Most of Workshop Days by Elizabeth DiLuzio

Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Hi AEA365 readers! Elizabeth DiLuzio here, Lead Curator for the blog and instructor of Quantitative Methods in Evaluation at New York University.

As #Eval25 kicks off its second full day of workshops here in Kansas City, many of us are deep in learning mode — refining familiar tools, exploring new approaches, and thinking about how to translate it all back home.

Workshops offer something rare in our professional lives: time to slow down and go deep. Unlike the pace of conference sessions, these longer blocks of focused learning invite us to pause, practice, and absorb. Here are a few ideas to help you make the most of this space before the week’s whirlwind begins:

Treat it like a lab, not a lecture. Workshops are designed for experimentation. Try the tools. Ask the “what if” questions. Test an idea even if it feels outside your lane. The more you engage with the material now, the more likely it’ll stick when you’re back in your daily work.
Connect through curiosity. Notice who’s at your table. Chances are, someone nearby is tackling a challenge that overlaps with yours. A simple “How are you thinking about using this?” can spark a conversation that carries beyond the workshop — or even beyond the week.
Reflect in real time. Keep a separate page or note on your device labeled “Apply This.” Each time something clicks, jot a short sentence: How could I use this in my organization? By Thursday, you’ll have a ready-made action list for turning learning into practice.
Step outside during breaks. Deep learning needs oxygen. Take a few minutes to get some air, grab a snack, or stretch. Kansas City’s Power & Light District is a quick walk from the convention center, and it’s a great spot to reset before diving back in.
Capture the human side of the experience. Workshops aren’t just about skills; they’re about perspective. Note the questions that made you think differently or moments that sparked energy in the room. These reflections often hold more long-term value than any handout.

As the sessions portion of the conference begins tomorrow, take a moment to appreciate what these first days give us: the chance to learn deeply, think expansively, and reconnect with the heart of our practice.

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