Eval Design Studio is a transdisciplinary project to transform how we gather, share, and relate to knowledge.
We expect knowledge to solve problems. Yet, we let the systems that create those problems determine what counts as knowledge, and who is considered knowledgeable. We expect knowledge to move, yet we imprison it in reports that don't get read, academic journals that many can't access, and round tables and conferences that the average person is not invited to, or can't afford to attend.
We continue the performance of knowledge, never questioning our role in the production, the systems that convince us we deserve a place on stage, or why the performance even matters if no one is watching. Ours is a theatre in ruin.
However, just as Boal transformed the relationship between the audience and the stage, the Studio aims to transform the broader project of how we gather, share, and relate to knowledge.
Everything we do – evaluation, learning partnerships, research, immersive experiences – is a means to that end.
Building on lessons from transformative research and evaluation; experience design; urban planning; contemporary art; and the theatre, we draw communities into the work of transforming the systems that shape and sustain their lives.
"Traditional evaluation and research are extractive industries where communities are mined of their knowledge, histories, and experiences. The future of evaluation is one that holds building trust, enhancing justice, and strengthening communities as intended outcomes."
Proving that people who study anthropology can, in fact, find jobs, Preston has spent over 10 years supporting government agencies, NGOs, multilateral institutions, businesses, and grassroots organizers to build learning cultures, sharpen impact measurement, and stay aligned with the evolving needs of people and the planet.
Drawing on his allegedly "useless" academic background, Preston embraces systems approaches to complex problems. He is unafraid to ask tough questions if it brings collaborators closer to clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.
While large organizations pay the bills, Preston loves working with small teams and people who either "hate" evaluation or have never done it before. He wants everyone to enjoy and benefit from reflexive practice and data-driven decision making.
His vision is a world free of injustice, and Eval Design Studio is his heartfelt contribution to that future.
"Centering communities from the outset, and providing them with empowering information to design more relevant interventions, has the potential to transform evaluation, as communities feel valued rather than dispensable."
She weaves technology, culture, and media better than your Discover Weekly. Omnia has spent over 15 years in project management, social enterprise development, organizational risk assessment, and sustainability. She also has more than a decade of experience linking civil society to businesses, governments, regulators, and communities.
Named among the top 9 women tech innovators in Africa, and among the top 10 women leading tech across the Middle East and North Africa, she supports teams to uncover unconventional growth opportunities, test new tools, and institutionalize learning.
She is also the Founder of Andariya, a Sudan-based company specializing in research, content creation, media development, and cultural programs.
If you don't catch her in Sudan, you might find her in Qatar, Kenya, or Uganda. Honestly, even we can't keep track.
"Communities understand their own priorities, struggles, and change levers best — not researchers, academics, or politicians. The core principles of evaluation — asking pertinent questions, collecting meaningful data, and learning together from discoveries — should be accessible to all."
If you can't find him, check the nearest LEGO store. Kevin is a seasoned evaluator, consultant, and project director with over 15 years of experience leading mixed-methods evaluations, strategic planning, participatory research, and organizational strategy.
Drawn to evaluation by his love of statistics and analytical thinking, he pairs rigor with community-centered processes to keep equity at the core of social justice initiatives, whether at the individual, community, or system level.
He is dedicated to making evaluation processes and conversations accessible and supports collaborators in continually evolving their practice.
Guided by the belief that trust is the foundation of every meaningful collaboration and lasting impact, Kevin invests deeply in partnerships (and air conditioning to survive the Arizona summers).
We recognize artistry as an inherent human ability. We harness artistry to promote healing and erode systems of injustice.
We believe meaningful change begins with conscious decisions. Before we act, we ask: why, for whom, and what's at stake.
We choose to be better for ourselves, our communities, and the planet. We inspect our decisions, own mistakes, and build on what works.
We appreciate the intrinsic value of all the Earth's inhabitants. We show gratitude for the Earth and are agents of sustainable life.
We prioritize working collaboratively with the historically wronged, shifting power to ensure their needs are addressed and their aspirations realized.