Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
The day will provide an engaging blend of expert talks, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. Delegates will gain a deeper understanding of the key principles underpinning robust evaluation, combined with accessible and practical guidance on implementation. The day is aimed at those with a level of management responsibility and an interest to learn more about evaluation and impact. Delegates do not require any existing technical expertise and is suitable for those with limited experience of conducting evaluation work, as well as those with current responsibility for demonstrating impact looking to deepen their understanding and sharpen their skills further.
This event would be useful to those who work in sport for development, local authority sport and physical activity, sport foundations and charities, National Governing Bodies, community and non-profit organisations.
Our workshop day sessions will cover:
This event is an invaluable opportunity to learn from experts at the leading edge of applied sport evaluation and impact work and connect with like-minded professionals. Lunch and hot drinks provided.
Dan is an experienced researcher and consultant in evaluation and sport for development within the Centre for Social Justice in Sport and Society, Leeds Beckett University. He currently works with several regional, national and international partners as evaluation lead and/or academic expert, supporting organisations and policy makers to better understand what works and why.
Dan's work is underpinned by a commitment to changing how we think about impact and conduct evaluation in sport.
Dr Jo Clarke is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Business Management at the Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, and an active researcher in the Centre for Social Justice in Sport and Society. Her research focuses on harnessing sport for social change, cultural exchange, and global impact, with a strong emphasis on evaluation and measuring outcomes.
Jo has extensive experience in teaching, research, and consultancy across the UK and internationally. She has worked with organisations such as Chance to Shine, the ECB, RFU, the Football Foundation, and the Cameroon Olympic Committee, providing expertise in evaluating impact, community development, Corporate Social Responsibility, and strategic planning. Her work is firmly rooted in applied practice and collaborative methodologies, driving measurable, impactful change through sport.
Dr Janine Partington is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Development. She teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate courses in sport management. Her research interests lie in sport policy and politics, and the impact of community sport and physical activity interventions. She is currently working with external partners such as The Football Foundation, Rugby Football Union, and Community Leisure UK to undertake research and evaluation work on their behalf. Having spent ten years working in sport development before moving into academia she is focused on ensuring research translates into useable insights to support policy and practice.
| 09:30 |
Registration, refreshments and networking |
| 10:00 | Welcome from the Centre for Social Justice in Sport & Society with Centre Director, Professor Leanne Norman |
| 10:10 |
WORKSHOP 1: Evaluation in Sport for Development
The session will explore the impact, evaluation, and learning context within the UK’s sport and physical activity sectors, considering how these elements shape policy, practice, and funding decisions. The opening session will address key questions such as: 'What and how can we evaluate?', 'What counts as evidence and impact?', 'What are systems thinking skills and how do we use them?', and 'How and when should we apply evaluative thinking in our organisation?'" |
| 10:30 |
WORKSHOP 2: What is a Theory of Change (TOC) This session will reflect on the use of explanatory statements within the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework to enhance understanding of how activities lead to desired outcomes, thereby strengthening the overall evaluation process. |
| 12:00 | Lunch and networking |
| 13:00 |
WORKSHOP 3: What is Ripple Effect Mapping (REM) Understanding REMs benefits and pitfalls, and how to effectively use this as part of M&E framework. |
| 14:30 | Refreshment break |
| 14:50 | WORKSHOP 3: Opportunities through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is a UK government-funded programme that fosters collaboration between businesses and universities to drive innovation, which in the context of sport could support industry-academic partnerships to enhance business strategies, including monitoring and evaluation in the sports sector. |
| 15:10 | Closing remarks and next steps |
