This book interrogates the role played by evaluation in 21st century governing. Using youth work in the UK as a case study, it challenges the narrative of evidence-based policy-making, arguing instead that evaluation research is used to discipline and control. At the same time, drawing on the work of Michel Foucault and Gilles Deleuze, this book argues that evaluation can be reclaimed and facilitate transformation. In bringing these theoretically rich discussions to bear on the domain of contemporary evaluation, the author provokes an alternative reading of the relationship between research and governing, emphasising how knowledge production has historically been manipulated by elites towards their own political ends. As the debate around elite's use of research expands globally, this book is a nuanced interjection into both established evidence-based policy and emergent narratives of 'post-truth'. Challenging and provocative, this innovative work will appeal to students and scholars of social and public policy, and governance and public management.

Makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the theory of evaluation Connects evaluation practice to neoliberalism and austerity Demonstrates that evaluation can make a radical contribution to progressive policy and practice Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext
Deirdre Niamh Duffy is Senior Lecturer in Childhood, Youth Studies and Social Policy at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.

Klappentext

This book interrogates the role played by evaluation in 21st century governing. Using youth work in the UK as a case study, it challenges the narrative of evidence-based policy-making, arguing instead that evaluation research is used to discipline and control. At the same time, drawing on the work of Michel Foucault and Gilles Deleuze, this book argues that evaluation can be reclaimed and facilitate transformation. In bringing these theoretically rich discussions to bear on the domain of contemporary evaluation, the author provokes an alternative reading of the relationship between research and governing, emphasising how knowledge production has historically been manipulated by elites towards their own political ends. As the debate around elite's use of research expands globally, this book is a nuanced interjection into both established evidence-based policy and emergent narratives of 'post-truth'. Challenging and provocative, this innovative work will appeal to students and scholars of social and public policy, and governance and public management.

Zusammenfassung
This book interrogates the role played by evaluation in 21st century governing.

Inhalt
Preface: Evaluation and governing in two quotes or When the arithmetician met the curator.- Chapter 1: Introduction.- Chapter 2: Understanding Evaluation in the UK.- Chapter 3: Disciplinary Measures.- Chapter 4: Transformative Possibilities.