It's a Dance, Not a Snapshot: Exploring Transient Positionality in Program Evaluation

Positionality statements too often take the form of a static list—a demographic snapshot presented once and left behind. This article argues for something else: positionality as a process of becoming. Drawing on ethnographic, feminist, and critical theory literatures, as well as my experiences as an immigrant, multilingual evaluator, I propose transient positionality as a dynamic, relational, and context-dependent framework. It encompasses three interconnected dimensions: fluid positionality, which shifts across time and contexts; relational positionality, which emerges through relationships with interest holders; and perspectival positionality, a term I introduce to describe how positionality is shaped by the social locations of others. Drawing on the concept of the ethnographic toolkit, I explain how this transience is not passive but requires active, intentional engagement. I conclude by considering how transient positionality can enhance the quality of evaluation by making the inquiry process more authentic and transparent.