Digital data and new media and information technologies are changing the field of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL). From adaptive management and ‘developmental evaluation’; to faster, higher-quality data collection; to remote data gathering through sensors and self-reporting by mobile; to big data and social media analytics; to story-triggered methodologies —  the field is in constant flux with emerging methods, tools and approaches.

The Annual MERL Tech Conference took place in Washington DC from 5 to 6 September 2019. This year, the strands of the conference were: Tech and traditional MERL, Data, data, and more data, Emerging tools and approaches, The Future of MERL.  Cross-cutting themes included diversity, inclusion, ethics and responsible data, and bridge-building across disciplines.

On 5 September Mr Prashanth Kotturi, Evaluation Analyst, IOE, presented the new book - written with Mr Oscar Garcia, Director of IOE - "Information and Communication Technologies for Development Evaluation". Linda Raftree, independent consultant and founder of MERL Tech, and Michael Bamberger, independent consultant, contributors of the book, also took part in the presentation.

Please visit the website for more information.

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