PROGRAM EVALUATION
In a nutshell, program evaluation involves taking social science research methods and applying them to real world programs and interventions with the goal of making them as effective and efficient as possible. I stumbled upon evaluation when I applied for and was accepted to the Applied Social Psychology graduate program at the University of Saskatchewan. Once I started learning about evaluation and all that can be achieved with it, I was hooked. In addition to courses, I completed practicums and internships to further my program evaluation training. I also participated in the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) Student Case Competition, which one of my teams won in 2015. In 2017 I joined the Canadian Evaluation Society Educational Fund (CESEF) Board of Directors and in 2021 was appointed Chair of the Board. With all that CES and CESEF have given me as an evaluator, I strive to give back and stay connected to them in so many ways, including joining the ranks of Credentialed Evaluators.
(Team Paradigm Shifts in Montreal for the Canadian Evaluation Society Student Case Competition, 2015)
(Receiving the CES/CESEF SEEK Award from Francois Dumaine, 2017)
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS & certificates
2023- Level 1 Social Value Associate, Social Value International
2022 Certificate, Social Return on Investment Accredited Practitioner, Social Value UK
2022 Certificate, Public Policy and Management, Dalhousie University
2021- Credentialed Evaluator (CE) Designation, Canadian Evaluation Society (CES)
PROGRAM EVALUATION CONTRACTS
2022- Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA)
2022- Prairie Harm Reduction
2014-2023 Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, Saskatoon
2019 Saskatchewan Ministry of Health and AIDS Sasktoon
2018 University of Saskatchewan Faculty Association
2018 Petrichor Developments and Fika House, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
2017-2018 Saskatchewan First Nations Family and Community Institute (SFNFCI)
2015-2018 Taylor Newberry Consulting, Guelph, Ontario
2016-2017 School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan
2015-2016 PotashCorp Kamskénow program for science outreach, University of Saskatchewan
2013 Saskatoon Sexual Health (SSH), Saskatchewan
2012 Jessie’s – The June Callwood Centre for Young Women, Toronto, Ontario
PUBLICATIONS
Fletcher-Hildebrand, S., Williamson, L., Lawson, K., & Dell, C. (R&R). Remotely and collaboratively evaluating a campus-based therapy dog program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Evaluation and Program Planning.
Williamson, L. E., Robertson, D., Gibson, K. A. V., Heimlich, M., Sangster, S. L., & Lawson, K. L. (2016). Evaluate this! A case for developing evaluation competencies. Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation, 31(1), 82-90.
Reports
2022 Williamson, L., Khalid, A., & Kamal, M. An Environmental Scan of Canadian Service Dog Organizational Websites.
2022 Williamson, L., McKenzie, H., Carey, B., & Dell, C. A. Western College of Veterinary Medicine “Animals in the Workplace” Draft Policy Review 2021.
2020 Connecting amidst COVID-19: A role for USask PAWS Your Stress Therapy Dogs. USask PAWS Your Stress and Saskatchewan Health Research Fund (SHRF).
AWARDS AND HONORS
2017 Canadian Evaluation Society Educational Fund, Student Excellence advancing Evaluation Knowledge Award
2015 Winning Team Member (Paradigm Shift Evaluations), Canadian Evaluation Society Student Case Competition
GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS
2022 GiftFunds Canada. Canadian Evaluation Society Educational Fund (CESEF): Supporting the evaluation capacity and development of emerging Indigenous evaluators ($22,150).
PRESENTATIONS
2022 Williamson, L. (April). Causality vs contribution; How should we evaluate a service dog organization serving Canadian veterans with PTSD? Canadian Evaluation Society British Columbia Chapter (CES-BC).
2021 Fletcher-Hildebrand, S., & Williamson, L. (May 10-13). “PAWS Your Evaluation Efforts”: Creating and refining an online campus-based therapy dog program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadian Evaluation Society, Virtual Platform.
2017 Williamson, L. (April 30-May 3). Evaluating the PotashCorp Kamskenow Science Outreach Program: An Appreciative Inquiry Approach. Canadian Evaluation Society, Vancouver, British Columbia.
2017 Williamson, L., Bayly, M. K., Sangster, S. L., & Taylor, A. (April 30-May 3). Collaborative evaluation and capacity building with grassroots organizations: Reflections on competent evaluation practice. Canadian Evaluation Society, Vancouver, British Columbia.
SUPERVISOR EXPERIENCE
Coach (Co-Supervisor)
2020, 2017, 2016 Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) Student Case Competition, Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan.
2018 Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) Student Case Competition, Department of Psychology and School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS OR AFFILIATIONS
2021-2023 Chair of the Board, Canadian Evaluation Society Educational Fund (CESEF) Board of Directors
2017-2021 Chair of the Graduate Scholarship, Canadian Evaluation Society Educational Fund (CESEF) Board of Directors