Reimagining M&E for Policy Impact: Engaging People, Leveraging AI, and Advancing Methodologies
Panel Discussion | Online
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Organized by:
Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM)
About the Event
As the landscape of Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) evolves, innovative approaches are essential to enhance data collection, analysis, and communication for impactful policymaking. This panel will explore cutting-edge advancements in M&E, focusing on:
People Engagement: How participatory and community-driven evaluations strengthen policy relevance.
Methodological Innovations: Emerging frameworks that improve data quality and decision-making.
AI & Tech Tools in M&E: Leveraging artificial intelligence and digital platforms to enhance analysis, visualization, and communication of evaluation findings.
Experts from diverse backgrounds—government agencies, development organizations, academia, and technology firms—will discuss real-world applications, case studies, and future trends in integrating technology and participatory methodologies to drive more responsive public policies.
People Engagement: How participatory and community-driven evaluations strengthen policy relevance.
Methodological Innovations: Emerging frameworks that improve data quality and decision-making.
AI & Tech Tools in M&E: Leveraging artificial intelligence and digital platforms to enhance analysis, visualization, and communication of evaluation findings.
Experts from diverse backgrounds—government agencies, development organizations, academia, and technology firms—will discuss real-world applications, case studies, and future trends in integrating technology and participatory methodologies to drive more responsive public policies.
Speakers
| Name | Title | Biography |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Arun Karpur, MD, MPH, (DrPH) | Complex Evaluation Solutions, Inc | Technical Advisor- GRAAM | Methodology specialist in applying AI and data-driven approaches for Program evaluation and social impact assessments. He leverages research and data analytics skills to advance solutions for individuals with chronic behavioral / physical health conditions and disabilities, with a particular focus on how health conditions influence behavioral health. His career spans academia, nonprofit, and philanthropic organizations dedicated to improving well-being and access to support for those who need them. He has domain area expertise in behavioral and mental health, disability studies, health and human services research. He has worked in the U.S. and internationally on key initiatives improving social and economic well-being of people in need of support. |
| Dr.Basavaraju R Shreshta | Executive Director, Grassroots Research And Advocacy Movement (GRAAM) | Dr Basavaraju R Shreshta is a public policy researcher who has led various research and evaluation studies for Government, Large Scale Development Foundations. He teaches research and program evaluation courses in Universities and in professional certificate courses. He is a development practitioner with strong grassroot connect and expertise having implemented community engagement in monitoring and evaluation in India. |
| Ms.Uma Mahadevan | Development Secretary, GOK Senior IAS Officer & Public Policy Expert | Ms. Uma Mahadevan holds vast experience in social sector policies, governance, and grassroots program evaluations. She has played a key role in women and child development initiatives and public service delivery reforms. |
| Mr.Antony Cyriac | Senior Economic Advisor from the Office of Chief Economic Advisor, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation | Antony Cyriac, a 1996-batch Indian Economic Service officer, is currently serving as Economic Adviser at the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. He has over 25 years of experience in public finance, macroeconomics, policy evaluation, and international development. His prior roles span key institutions like the Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance, MEA, NITI Aayog, and the Fifteenth Finance Commission. He has also represented India on deputation to the UK Treasury and actively volunteers in palliative care initiatives in Delhi. |
| Mr.Serge Eric | Vice-President, International Development Evaluation Association (IDEAS) | Co-Chair, EvalIndigenous (EvalPartners Initiative) | Credentialed Evaluator (CE) and bilingual (EN & FR), Serge Eric is the Co-Chair of EvalIndigenous Network, Vice-President of the International Development Evaluation Association (IDEAS), Co-Chair of the Coordination Committee of EvalPartners, Former President of the African Evaluation Association (AfrEA). He has 20+ years of experience in research and evaluation with universities, government bodies, International NGOs/CBO, and donors/funders organisations. As seasoned Evaluation Specialist, he led over 150 country research and evaluation worldwide and within complex development and humanitarian environments. He worked in Africa; Europe; Americas; Middle East; and Asia. He wrote two books and co-authored six books, +100 training materials, +150 reports and articles. He provided Evaluation capacity Development to various audiences worldwide such as Universities (Canada, Germany, Algeria, Cameroon), and for VOPEs (IDEAS, AfrEA, CaDEA, CES, EES, AEA, AEN, GEF, EvalPartners), Private Sectors and NGOs. |
Moderators
| Name | Title | Biography |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Ananya Samajdar | Deputy Director- Research, GRAAM | Dr. Ananya Samajdar holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the National University of Singapore. She has been leading the research team of GRAAM since 2020 and is also a very hands-on researcher. She has handled policy research and evaluation studies for WHO, NHSRC/MoHFW, NITI Aayog, Karnataka Evaluation Authority, and UNICEF. She has strong experience in leading and managing multi-state studies. Dr. Ananya is experienced in handling research and evaluation studies in the domains of public health, education, skill development, and governance. She has strong skills in designing research, conceptualization and operationalization of study parameters, qualitative data analysis, and report writing. She comes with significant teaching and training experience in the public policy and M&E domains as well, having been a trainer for GRAAM’s academic offerings such as CSR MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning), 3PE (Public Policy and Program Evaluation) and IPP (Introduction to Public Policy). |