Do you want to maximise the impact from a new or existing initiative? Are you wondering how you can effectively evidence this impact, and demonstrate this to yourself and others?
The Maximising and Evidencing Impact Bootcamp is for digital technical professionals looking to develop their understanding, skills and expertise in purposeful project design and evaluation, whether that is a one-off event or a large-scale research programme. The training will involve interactive activities, facilitated discussion and access to research, frameworks and resources to support your project development. Ideally, bootcamp participants should have their own project they would like to design and evaluate to ensure learning can be applied directly in a context relevant and applicable to you. However, illustrative examples from different areas will also be introduced throughout the course. In addition to the training, participants will also have access to ongoing drop-in support and be part of a community of practice to share learning with other participants.
The bootcamp will be delivered by expert facilitators (Helen Cramman and Lorraine Coghill) who have extensive experience of delivering CPD to research professionals as well as designing and evaluating initiatives. The bootcamp will be delivered in partnership with the Durham Centre for Academic Development, Science Engagement Team and Durham University Centre for CPD and Outreach and will include contributions from a range of technical professional colleagues and evaluators as part of the bootcamp.
If you have any questions about the Bootcamp, please contact Helen Cramman at researcher.development@durham.ac.uk.
What previous participants have said about the programme
This programme has been one of the most valuable developmental opportunities I have taken. The facilitators have been very knowledgeable and engaging educators. I cannot recommend it enough.
Attending the programme would enlighten you to understand projects and yourselves so that you could better navigate both confidently with handy tools equipped during the programme.
I’d encourage anyone considering it to sign up, you’ll gain practical tools and insights that strengthen your evaluations and help you to develop comprehensive Theory of Change models within a supportive, friendly community. It’s also a lot of fun!
The course was brilliant. I feel so much more confident in my approach to maximising and evidencing impact. I felt supported throughout the programme and enjoyed learning and sharing with colleagues. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more.
I feel so much more confident embedding evaluation into my activities now, and I really enjoyed how accessible the entire programme was as it didn’t make the process or aspects feel too academic/intimidating.
Register for the Bootcamp
Spaces are limited to 20 participants to enable the interactive nature of the sessions. We ask that participants aim to attend all three days of the Bootcamp as this is required to get the most from the programme.
Dates, times and location
📅 Dates: Tuesday 15th to Thursday 17th December 2026
⏰ Timing: 9:30am - 4:00pm daily; 3:00pm finish on the final day
📍 Location: In person in the Teaching and Learning Centre at Durham University
🧃 Refreshments (including lunch) will be provided as part of the Bootcamp.
Programme content
Core topics will include:
- Introduction to evaluation and purposeful design for impact
- Theory of Change development
- Measuring impact and implementation strategies
- Evaluation design and core research methods
- Ethics and working with people
- Data governance and management (including personal data)
- Project management fundamentals
- Data analysis principles
- Dissemination and communication of findings
Activities and Delivery
Each day will be structured around a blend of:
- Short teaching sessions introducing key concepts
- Facilitated workshops and practical exercises
- Individual and small-group project development time
- Peer feedback and discussion sessions
Following the bootcamp, participants will have access to:
- Optional drop-in support sessions for continued guidance.
- A community of practice, enabling ongoing peer learning, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.