Negotiating Feminist Principles and Approaches in Complex Contexts

Introduction

At the 2023 UK Evaluation Society presentation, we synthesised our experience with national and international non-governmental organisations, focusing on the practical application of Kimberlé Crenshaw's intersectionality and the Data Feminism principles of Catherine D'Ignazio and Lauren F. Klein, while addressing ethical considerations and strategies. 

At JRNY Consulting, intersectional feminism is fundamental to our evaluation methodology. Our presentation, Negotiating Feminist Principles and Approaches in Complex Contexts, addressed ethical considerations and pragmatic strategies that underscore feminist and anti-racist approaches.

Principles and Dilemmas 

Framing our ethical dilemmas against seven principles outlined in Data Feminism by Catherine D'Ignazio and Lauren F. Klein's "Data Feminism" highlights the gender and racial biases that can be ingrained in data practices and argues for a more holistic approach, which considers power dynamics, challenges dominant narratives, and promotes equality through data. 

1. Examine Power: Recognising power dynamics among evaluation stakeholders is the initial step in addressing them, but how much can we examine as evaluators?

2. Challenge Power: What is the evaluators' role in challenging power dynamics and disrupting institutions toward more inclusive strategies? To what degree are we able to scrutinise dominant, institutional narratives?

3. Elevate Emotion and Embodiment: Data is not objective and devoid of emotion. Evaluators must recognise emotions' significance and impact on the evaluative landscape. How can evaluators balance the tension between emotion, embodiment, and evaluative rigour?

4. Rethink Binaries and Hierarchies: Binary categorisation, like male/female or black/white, can reduce and misrepresent complexities. Evaluators must resist generating data that perpetuates oppressive classifications that may leave groups on the margin out. How can evaluators provide complementary assessments when pre-existing data sets reinforce binaries and hierarchies?

5. Embrace Pluralism: There isn't a singular way to interpret data. Multiple perspectives should coexist, showcasing diverse viewpoints, methodologies, and interpretations. How can evaluators ensure that ‘well-intentioned gatekeepers’ are making sufficient accommodations toward more inclusive evaluations?

6. Consider Context: Data is never neutral. This contextual understanding can unveil hidden biases and create a path for a richer interpretation. How can evaluations, where resources are often a critical factor, grasp (to a sufficient depth) each evaluation landscape's historical, political, and cultural backdrops?

7. Make Labour Visible: Considerable effort is channelled into evaluations. Organisations are often seeking greater degrees of participation, particularly from affected populations. How can evaluators use our position to recognise and value this labour, encouraging organisations to compensate participants for the inputs they provide to evaluations?

Rethinking Evaluative Practice 

Reflexivity: Reflect on the role of the evaluator. Acknowledge biases and assumptions to understand better how the evaluator’s perspective influences the data. Regularly practice equity pauses, allowing evaluators to challenge our biases and assumptions, and critically analyse who is represented in the data, who isn't, and why. By doing so, evaluators can unearth biases and systemic inequalities and ensure that voices on the margins are not excluded.

Critical Curiosity: Remain critical and curious about internal and external social structures and how they may influence the data.

Active Participation: Emphasise collaborative decision-making from the onset. Whenever possible, involve the communities and individuals in the data collection and interpretation processes. 

Adaptability: Prioritise context over methodological purity. 

Negotiating feminist principles and approaches in complex contexts is challenging. There are few easy answers. But in practising the application of intersectional feminism in our work, JRNY Consulting is able to demonstrate our commitment to conducting evaluations that are not only rigorous but also equitable and just.