Initial Publication Date: September 16, 2022

Ashley 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

  • 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 for diverse stakeholders.
  • 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 stakeholders 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.

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 for NSF GP-IMPACT: Expanding HBCU Pathways to Geoscience Education and analysis and visualizations of event engagement data, which characterized 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

B. A. in Physics, Carleton College, Northfield, MN