Ash Carlson
Program Analyst
Science Education Resource Center, Carleton College
acarlson2@carleton.edu
I combine methodological rigor with creativity to support evidence-based decision-making. Skilled in both qualitative and quantitative evaluation, I organize, analyze, and communicate data in ways that are actionable, ethical, and culturally responsive. My work helps institutions and collaborators understand program outcomes and make informed improvements.
Core Strengths & Expertise
With a physics background, expertise in evaluation data systems, and a deep understanding of human systems, I bring a blend of technical fluency, methodological precision, and participant-centered design.
- Data organization and management: Evaluation data and processes are structured to promote transparency, accessibility, and long-term usability. Comprehensive documentation and metadata support reproducibility and clarity, with careful attention to ethical data stewardship and future usability.
- Instrument design and data collection: Designing surveys, interview protocols, observation tools, and usability tests is a key part of my work. Data collection processes are coordinated to be efficient, accurate, and culturally appropriate, while minimizing burden on participants and maximizing the quality of the information collected.
- Analysis and reporting: Actionable insights are derived from both qualitative and quantitative data through metrics, visualizations, and detailed reports. Complex findings are translated into practical recommendations, helping project leaders and participants understand results and use them to guide program decisions.
- Collaborator engagement and dissemination: Engaging multiple audiences and synthesizing their input ensures that evaluation results are relevant and meaningful. Constructive feedback is provided in formats designed to promote action, support improvement, and facilitate shared understanding across teams.
- Project leadership and initiative: Managing evaluation projects requires both strategic oversight and attention to detail. Routine processes are executed with precision, while creative problem-solving is applied to identify improvements and innovations that enhance the impact of evaluation work.
- Accessible and universal design: Evaluation and consulting in accessible design across multiple modes: websites, reports, and webinars.
My Professional Approach
All of my work aligns with AEA Evaluator Competencies, including Methodology, Communication, Professional Practice, Interpersonal Skills, and Cultural Competence. Integrity, cultural sensitivity, and ethical rigor guide every project, and collaboration, conflict management, and clear communication help ensure findings are actionable and effectively used.
Example Projects
Some of my recent work has included developing a data management plan and interview study to characterize the institutional contexts and student supports for NSF GP-IMPACT: Expanding HBCU Pathways to Geoscience Education; analysis and visualizations of event engagement data, characterizing participants and their project involvement for Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS); and analysis and visualizations of student surveys responses (including self-reported gains in specific skills and questions that targeted their experiences in their courses) for Business And Science: Integrated Curriculum for Sustainability (BASICS) and Introducing Geophysics for Urban and Near-surface Applications (IGUaNA).
Education and Professional Development
Cear and Effective Decision-making, Weyam Ghadbian and Jovida Ross, Turning Towards Each Other
Arts-based Methods 101, Jennica Nichols and Maya Lefkowich, AND implementation
Embodiment as a Qualitative Evaluation Methodology, Scarlett Kingsley, AEA Evaluation24
Transformative Mixed Methods Design in Evaluation, Donna Martens, AEA Evaluation24
B. A. in Physics, Carleton College, Northfield,