Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Hi! We are the Use and Influence TIG Leadership team – Charmagne Campbell-Patton, Jennifer Villalobos, Justin Christy, Minji Cho, Moira Ragan, and Seth Tucker.
Over the past week, guest contributors have explored the many ways use and influence can take shape in evaluation. Drawing on the experiences and perspectives of practitioners from across the field, the blogs in this series hosted by the Use and Influence TIG have considered the ideas and values that guide this work, shared examples of how evaluation can inform decisions and support learning, and reflected on the role of use and influence throughout the evaluation process.
The conversations also highlighted how closely use and influence connect with many other areas of evaluation. Whether considering evaluation design, stakeholder engagement, learning, communication, or decision-making, use and influence are often part, and indeed a goal, of the work. This breadth is one of its strengths, offering opportunities to learn across areas and draw on a wider range of perspectives. With so many points of connection, there is value in considering how we can continue the conversation across different areas.
Whether evaluation is used instrumentally, conceptually, or symbolically, Use and Influence are at the core of what we do as evaluators. They matter across every sector, including health, education, social services, and beyond, because they shape whether evidence actually informs decisions, policies, and resource allocation. As Alkin and King (2016) found, studies on evaluation use span various fields, including agriculture, education, health promotion, international development, and social psychology. This breadth tells us that Use and Influence are not unique to one field but are concerns every evaluator can relate to, regardless of their discipline. Due to the nature of Use and Influence, our TIG is positioned to collaborate with other TIGs, learn from one another, and advance shared interests. We believe that strengthening evaluation Use and Influence is a collective effort that benefits the field. Today, we invite other TIGs to collaborate with us to help ensure that Use and Influence are promoted across every sector and that valuable insights do not remain siloed.
Collaboration doesn’t have to start with a formal partnership or committee. Some of the most valuable collaborations begin through simple conversations and shared curiosity. Here are a few ways to get started:
Did you know that AEA has a website devoted to TIGs with guidance on how to navigate AEA’s infrastructure and where you can learn about each TIG? Check out U&I’s site for more information!
Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this AEA365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the AEA365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an AEA365 Tip? Please do so using the form on our website. AEA365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators.