In an open letter to the evaluation community, Dr Kirstine Szifris, President of the UK Evaluation Society, shares why now is the time to open a national conversation about the professionalisation of evaluation—and invites the community to help shape what comes next.
Dr Kirstine Szifris, President, UK Evaluation Society
Dear UK evaluation community colleagues,
I’m writing this open letter to share a perspective that I believe matters to all of us—and to invite you into a wider conversation about where we go next.
Evaluation is a discipline that touches almost every part of public and social life. From academic researchers applying rigorous methodologies in understanding process, impact, and value, to commissioners and policymakers seeking evidence to guide decisions, evaluation spans a remarkable breadth of sectors and expertise. That breadth is one of its strengths—but it is also one of its greatest challenges.
Credibility, transparency, and integrity must sit at the heart of what we do.
Setting the UK context
In recent years, evaluation has taken on increased prominence in the UK. Dedicated functions within government—such as the Evaluation Task Force—have been established to improve the use of high-quality evidence in public decision-making. Alongside this, several universities now offer specialist master’s programmes in evaluation, reflecting growing interest in the field as a distinct area of practice.
Despite these developments, the sector still lacks a coherent, shared understanding of what it means to be an evaluator. And in a climate where evidence is frequently contested, and public confidence in decision-making can be fragile, the stakes have never been higher.
The UK Evaluation Society itself has grown significantly over the past two years. A small but expanding staff team has enabled us to strengthen our training programme, broaden our conference offer, and provide more consistent support for members. Demand for professional development and peer connection is rising — an encouraging sign that evaluators see value in a stronger community and clearer identity.
Why the UK Evaluation Society is opening this conversation
Against this backdrop, the UK Evaluation Society is opening a conversation about how we strengthen the identity and practice of evaluation. The question of professionalisation has surfaced repeatedly in my discussions with members, partners, and stakeholders since becoming President in December 2023. However, it is clear that professionalisation means different things to different people. Some believe evaluation should be recognised as a profession in its own right; others see it as a practice woven through roles such as research, data analysis, programme management, and policy design.
Across sectors and experience levels, people are asking similar questions –
- What does it mean to be an evaluator?
- Should there be a shared set of standards or competencies?
- Is accreditation something we should explore—or something we should avoid?
Professionalisation need not—and should not—mean gatekeeping or enforcing one methodological approach. Instead, it might involve:
- a shared understanding of the capabilities evaluators should hold
- ethical standards that protect good practice
- clearer pathways for people entering or developing in evaluation
- improving visibility and credibility for the field
Many of these ideas are already present in the UK Evaluation Society’s long-standing Framework of Evaluation Capabilities, first published in 2012 after extensive consultation with members and drawing on international developments in competency frameworks. As part of this new conversation, we will review the Framework to ensure it remains relevant and useful today.
An invitation to the evaluation community - share your views
We are at the beginning of an important conversation, one that will shape how evaluation in the UK is understood, practiced, and valued in the years ahead. The UK Evaluation Society does not yet have a fixed view, and that is deliberate. Professionalisation can only be meaningful if it is shaped by those who live and breathe evaluation every day.
Our aim is not to impose a model, but to listen carefully and build a shared picture of the priorities, concerns, and ambitions within the evaluation community. Whether you see evaluation as a profession, a practice, a skill set, or a discipline that intersects with many roles, we want to hear your views.
I would like to thank all of you who have taken the time to respond already. Your collective insights will help us understand the appetite for change, the risks we must navigate, and the opportunities a shared framework could bring.
By taking part, you give us the evidence we need to evaluate our path rigorously and make decisions for the future. This is the moment to shape the future of evaluation in the UK — together.
I remain committed to representing your interests and strengthening evaluation in the UK.
Yours sincerely,
Kirstine Szifris
Kirstine Szifris | President | UK Evaluation Society