The New Hampshire Research and Evaluation Group was launched by Doug Hall and Peter Antal in 2003 to break down institutional silos and support collaborative learning in a supportive collegial environment. The group provides NH researchers and evaluators with informal opportunities to learn and share skills and knowledge from their respective areas of expertise. Members have represented a variety of backgrounds and interest areas, including housing, social policy, justice, disability, education, health care, tax reform and others. It provides a truly unique learning opportunity to get constructive feedback from some of the best minds of NH.
Although the group has not met in a while, we are gradually building it back up for the 20/21 year. As of 7/27/20, we have 28 members representing a range of institutions, including: UNH (Institute on Disability, Carsey Institute, UNH Survey Center, College of Business and Economics, IHPP), State of NH (Bureau of Health Statistics, DCYF, Office of Health Equity), JSI, and Plymouth State.
To participate, email Peter Antal at pantalconsulting@gmail.com by 8/3/20 and let him know you’d like to join.
Meetings may include:
For 2020/2021, all meetings will likely be held via Zoom.
You do not. However, to encourage participation of a broad mix of professionals, meeting presentations will include a mix of topics. We do ask that, if you attend a meeting to view one presentation in particular, that you stay on for all presentations that day so we can all benefit from each other’s experience.
Reason #1: There are many factors which shape how it is we consume, understand, and report out information. This may be due to nuances in our professional field, our culture, gender, age, life experiences, and any number of other areas that shape how we interact with the world. In the fields of research and evaluation for the social sciences, these dynamics can both strengthen our approach (helping us to identify with or better understand points of view) as well as weaken it (as we may overlook one or more key elements that are critical for our partners understanding). By sharing your work with a range of professionals from a variety of fields, you have the opportunity to gain a range of fresh perspectives on how to make your work more applicable to those you collaborate with.
Reason #2: We collaboratively work towards improving our State. Most all of us are familiar with feeling as if we’re working in a silo. This can happen within an organization, within a department, or even within a hallway. Deadlines may weigh heavily, the next project is awaiting your attention, and there seems little time to get your head out and gain the fresh perspective you need. By taking a little time to step away from the traditional approach to work and instead spending part of that time working and learning with others you will find multiple opportunities to help improve everyone’s efforts, creating positive sea change for all.
No membership fees are required to join or maintain membership status. That said, supporting the group takes some time and I still have bills to pay. I will gladly accept any personal contributions if you find a session or the group of particular value to your own professional development.
To be determined. After 8/3, I’ll send an email out to all current members asking about meeting time preferences, potential projects that they would like to get feedback on, and any skills they’d be willing to share. I’ll make a determination shortly after.