The Role of Research on Evaluation in Sustaining Democratic Values

ABSTRACT The evaluation field faces a political tsunami threatening the foundations of evidence‐based practice and democratic transparency. This article argues that Research on Evaluation (ROE) must adopt a proactive, three‐pronged strategy: Document, Learn & Reflect, and Advocate. ROE should systematically document the destruction of data infrastructure and learn from adaptive practitioner strategies and innovative methodologies to build resilience. Finally, ROE must advocate for its necessity by demonstrating the “cost of ignorance” and building interdisciplinary alliances to re‐legitimize evaluation as an essential public good.