Welcome to the MERL Tech Forum! MERL Tech is a platform and space for discussion, learning, and sharing experiences and challenges with the use of technologies for Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) in the social impact and international development and humanitarian fields. Through MERL Tech, we aim to strengthen understanding of the value, impact and risks of digital technology and digital data in MERL and to support learning and discussion on new approaches and tools for MERL work.

We focus holistically on MERL Tech, with consideration for five key areas that require attention: organizational, methodological, technological, operational and ethical.

Topics we encourage on the forum are:

how newer technologies and digital data are being used in MERL
how new approaches and ways of thinking are changing MERL and what this means for how development and social impact work happen
how participation and voice can be enhanced through new technologies
how digitized processes of data collection, use and sharing can increase risk and ways we can be more responsible throughout the data lifecycle
when, where, how, why, in which situations it’s NOT useful to use technology in MERL
ways that issues with bias, rigor, validity, etc. (that are often enhanced when using technology in MERL) can be overcome

We also invite:

sharing of research, evidence and learning about the use of technology in development MERL (where’s the MERL on MERL Tech?)
questions about how to incorporate technology into MERL
questions about how to conduct MERL on technology-enabled programming
big picture and ethical questions and discussions about MERL and technology and digital data
announcements about MERL Tech-related events, jobs, internships and training/ learning and other opportunities
alerts about new articles, publications, documentation and evidence on MERL Tech, digital data, adaptive management and related areas

We strive to be a dynamic and inclusive space where researchers, evaluators, development practitioners, humanitarian aid workers, technology developers, data analysts/scientists, funders and others involved in this emerging field can come together for trans-disciplinary conversations, learning and collaboration.

We welcome your ideas and contributions!

Linda Raftree

MERL Tech Co-Founder

http://merltech.org

lindaraftree@gmail.com

MERL Tech DC: September 7-8, 2017 (Register now!)

lindaraftree