Rita Yembilah

Biography

I am a Human Geographer specializing in International Development Studies. Professionally, I am a Snr. Researcher and evaluator. Primarily, I work with the Canadian Poverty Institute, Ambrose University but also work independently as an evaluation consultant locally and internationally. My scholarly and practice interests are in post-coloniality, lived experience, and gender issues (especially in the context of development discourse and practice). I also explore various themes as they intersect with poverty, including multidimensional poverty and wellbeing. In evaluation, program, project and institutional evaluations are in my scope of practice, as are upstream evaluations in systems, capacity building, governance and policy, specifically exploring CREE (Culturally Responsive and Ethical Evaluation) as a practice standard. Lately, my interests have evolved into the area of Tri-council Research Data Management practice and compliance. In addition to teaching regular courses at the University of Calgary and Ambrose University, I participate in graduate student supervision and run study abroad programs. I also render service to the Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board of the University of Calgary, and to Academics Without Borders (AWB). I contribute to IREAD (Institute for Rural Education and Development) as Chair of the Early Childhood Development Committee, serve as Board Chair for the Institute for Peace and Development (IPD) and Snr. Advisor to CoRe Resilience, an international development consultancy based in Washington DC. When asked, I support start-up non-profit organizations with content expertise and capacity building support. I have a drive for research and evaluation in new contexts and environments. Every work opportunity is a new challenge AND an adventure and I embrace both!