EvalNatter: Causality in Evaluation. Making Sense of Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) This event is open to all to attend.

EvalNatter is an online, friendly space for open conversation and shared learning — and this session is open to all, whether you’re a member or just curious to join the discussion.

Causality in Evaluation: Making Sense of Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs)

**Hosted by **Professor Axel Kaehne, Director of the Evaluation and Policy Analysis Unit at Edge Hill, Edge Hill University

Date: 28 November

Time: 10:00 (GMT)

Join us for November’s EvalNatter, led by Professor Axel Kaehne, for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion on causality in evaluation and the practical use of Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs).

Understanding why and how interventions lead to outcomes lies at the heart of evaluation — yet establishing causal relationships remains one of the field’s greatest challenges. DAGs, developed by Judea Pearl and colleagues, offer a visual and analytical way to map causal assumptions, uncover hidden biases, and clarify what can (and cannot) be inferred from data.

In this informal session we will explore together how DAGs can strengthen causal reasoning in real-world evaluations; what the opportunities and pitfalls are when applying causal inference frameworks and what these tools might mean for the future of evaluation practice.

Whether you are new to causal inference or already experimenting with DAGs, this is an opportunity to share experiences, ask questions, and reflect together on how evaluators can use these innovative tools to make sense of complex systems.

Bring your curiosity, examples, and questions!