Feminist Evaluation and Research: Theory and Practice by S. Brisolara, D. Seigert, and S. SenGupta

Abstract

I had the pleasure of reviewing Feminist Evaluation and Research: Theory and Practice (Brisolara, Seigart, & SenGupta, 2014) between attending the 8th European Conference on Gender Equality in Higher Education and the 11th Biennial Meeting of the European Evaluation Society. Both meetings included frequent references to many aspects of the volume. This was not only because the contributing authors are all recognized experts in the field but also because they clearly position their contributions within the rich literature of the fields of feminist theory, evaluation, and research. While the word “feminist” may result in knee-jerk reactions of either support or opposition, the reality today is that incidents still occur—ranging from lesser pay for equal work to the abduction and sexual exploitation of women and girls—that are best understood, confronted, and ameliorated through a critical feminist lens. This edited volume lays out the evidence supporting that assertion and provides a sufficient introduction to feminist theory to bring newcomers in the field up to speed. The purpose of the volume was to build on the authors’ earlier contribution to the field (Seigart & Brisolara, 2002) to further the discussion and learning in the field of evaluation by addressing questions regarding: the role of evaluation and research, the methods evaluators and researchers use, the role of the evaluator/researcher, the values prevalent in evaluation and research—especially with a feminist, gender-equity, or equity lens—and the effect evaluators and researchers have on the programs, policies, and people we study and evaluate. Feminist evaluation and research: Theory and practice does not disappoint. The volume is comprised of 12 chapters divided into three sections that introduce feminist theories, research, and evaluation (five chapters); offer cases of feminist evaluation in practice (four chapters); and detail cases of feminist research in practice (three chapters). Brisolara, Seigert, and SenGupta provide clear and concise introduction and synthesis before and after the sections to ensure a coherent sum of the parts. This structure lays the necessary groundwork to ensure readers have