Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash

The purpose of this site is to support the use of measurement and evaluation systems in order to maximize the public value of university public engagement activities.  My definition of university public engagement is

activities that connect the knowledge resources of the university beyond academic settings in support of the public interest.

While the primary focus is on university public engagement, some of the content may be applicable for other public interest-driven organizations with a diverse portfolio of outreach and engagement activities.

My perspective is that our public value is enhanced when we know what we are doing, whom we are reaching, what impact or value we are providing, and how we can improve.  The answers to these questions rely on thoughtfully constructed tracking systems and effective evaluation based on explicit goals.

The challenge of understanding these aspects of a complex, distributed, agile, and responsive portfolio of programs such as university public engagement is considerable, but it is a challenge worth taking on.

Contact

Interested in talking about issues related to measurement and evaluation of university public engagement or other programs that contribute to the public interest?  Interested in building a community of practice or contributing content to this site?

Contact Karen Winter-Nelson at kwinter@illinois.edu or kwinternelson@gmail.com