Back to top

Photograph of Beverly Peters

Beverly Peters Senior Professorial Lecturer Office of Graduate & Professional Studies Faculty

Degrees
PhD Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh
MA Public and International Affairs, California State University Sacramento

Languages Spoken
English, Shona, Spanish
Bio
Areas of Expertise: Qualitative Methods, Evaluation, Teaching of Evaluation

Dr. Peters (she/her/hers) is Director of American University’s Measurement and Evaluation Program. She is a specialist in the use of qualitative methods for monitoring and evaluation, writes a blog on Qualitative Methods for M&E, and is a regular contributor on this topic for the American Evaluation Association's 365 Series. She has more than thirty years of experience teaching, conducting research, and managing and evaluating development projects in Africa. She has developed proposals for and managed research, democratization, and community development programs in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, among other countries.

Dr. Peters has been teaching at AU since 1999. She was one of the winners of American University's 2013 Jack Child Teaching with Technology Award and 2013 Mobile Technology Award, and was awarded the SPExS 2017-2018 Excellence in Teaching and Service Award.
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

Teaching

Spring 2024

  • PROF-610 Intercultural Comm for Prof

  • PROF-620 Prof Ethics & Proj Leadership

  • PROF-640 Evaluation: Qualitative Meth

Summer 2024

  • PME-600 Principles & Theories of Eval

Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities

Selected Publications

Measurement & Evaluation Student and Alumni Publications:

Using the Bridge Model in Virtual Focus Groups, with Maha Alkhafaji and Zachariah Rabah Barghouti, Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2022.

Principles and Theories of Evaluation: Reflections from Human Resources Professionals, with Corlene Dixon, Diane Hamilton, and Kenya Richardson-El, Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2022.

My recent publications for the American Evaluation Association's 365 Series focus on qualitative methods in measurement and evaluation. I also author a blog on this topic. 

Reflections of an Evaluator during Pinktober, Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2022.

Comparing NACE Competencies Virtually Through Intern Self-Assessments and Employer Assessments, Pennsylvania: National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2021.

Notetaking for Observation and Participant Observation, Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2021.

Observation and Participant Observation: What Should we Observe? Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2021.

Participant Observation: Getting to the Backstage, Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2021.

Observation and Participant Observation, Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2021. 

Using Participatory Tools Virtually, Washington: DC, American Evaluation Association, 2020.

Analyzing Interview Data, Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2020.

Collecting Useful Data from Interviews, Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2020.

Interview Sampling, Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2020.

Interview Continuum, Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2020. 

Interviews: The Right Tool for Me? Washington; DC: American Evaluation Association, 2020.

Savings and Credit Associations: Reflecting on Ethnographic Research in South Africa, Thousand Oaks: SAGE, 2019. 

Managing and Analyzing Focus Group Data, Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2019. 

Moderating a Focus Group, Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2019. 

Designing your Focus Group Questions and Questioning Route, Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2019. 

Populating a Focus Group, Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2019.

Focus Group Planning, Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2019. 

Focus Groups: The Right Tool for Me? Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2019.

Mentoring Future Evaluators, Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2018. 

The Unwelcome Power of the Evaluator, Washington, DC: American Evaluation Association, 2018.

 

Professional Presentations

American University, Measurement and Evaluation Workshop Series, 2021: Organized, marketed, and moderated webinar on "Most Significant Change" with Ann-Murray Brown

American University, Measurement and Evaluation Workshop Series, 2021: Organized, marketed, and moderated webinar on Evaluation Report Writing with Mary Aabye and Elizabeth Botkin

American University, Measurement and Evaluation Workshop Series, 2021: Organized, marketed, and moderated webinar on Quantitative Methods in Evaluation with Dr. Kavita Mittapalli

American University, Measurement and Evaluation Workshop Series, 2021: Organized, marketed, and moderated webinar on Logic Model Development with Susan Cottrell

American University, Ann Ferren Conference, 2021: Planned and chaired panel, and spoke on “Practicum Assignments: Faculty, Student, and Supervisor Experiences”

Ann-Murray Brown: Conversations with Evaluators, 2020: Gave webinar on Qualitative Methods in Evaluation (635 registered; 228 attended)

AU Graduate and Professional Studies Virtual Luncheon, 2020: Gave webinar on Your Measurement and Evaluation Job Search

Skills for the Virtual Workplace, 2020: Organized, marketed, and moderated webinar with Christopher Arlen, Dan Meyer, Michael Petillo, and Andrene Taylor (180 registered; 69 attended).

Conducting Evaluations Virtually, 2020: Organized, marketed, and moderated webinar with Natalie Donahue, Blanca Flor Guillen Woods, and Tracy Thoman (616 registered; 324 attended)

Culturally Responsive and Equitable Evaluation, 2020: Organized, marketed, and moderated webinar with Debra Benitez, Katrina Bledsoe, and Jackie Williams Kaye (412 registered; 213 attended)

Equitable Evaluation Framework, 2020: Organized, marketed, and moderated webinar with Jara Dean Coffey (99 registered; 58 attended) 

Leveraging your Online Presence, 2020: Organized, marketed, and moderated webinar with Ann-Murray Brown (721 registered; 241 attended) 

Value Propositioning: Knowing your Audience and your Value, 2020: Organized, marketed, and moderated webinar with Matt Dixon (121 registered; 52 attended)

Evaluation Entrepreneurship: What I Learned from my First Five Years of Consulting, 2020: Organized, marketed, and moderated webinar with Nina Sabarre (290 registered; 114 attended)

Georgia Southern University, Curriculum Conference, 2020: Organized and moderated panel; Gave paper on Inclusivity in the Classroom

University of Pittsburgh, Field Based Research, 2019: Gave presentation on “Credit Societies and Ethnographic Research” 

American University, Global Trends Series, 2019: Chaired panel and gave presentation on “Human Security”

American Evaluation Association, Annual Conference on Speaking Truth to Power, 2018: Organized, moderated panel, and spoke on “Teaching Qualitative Methods in Evaluation Online: Instructor and Student Perspectives”

American Evaluation Association, Annual Conference on Speaking Truth to Power, 2018: Organized, moderated panel, and spoke on “Using Data to Tell a Story: Speaking Truth to Power”

American Evaluation Association, Coffee Break Webinar, 2018: Gave online presentation on “Using Qualitative Methods in Monitoring and Evaluation"

American Evaluation Association, Coffee Break Webinar, 2018: Gave online presentation on "Observation and Participant Observation for M&E"

American Evaluation Association, Coffee Break Webinar, 2018: Gave online presentation on “Qualitative Interviewing for M&E"

American Evaluation Association, Coffee Break Webinar, 2018: Gave online presentation on “Using Focus Groups for M&E"

American Evaluation Association, Coffee Break Webinar, 2018: Gave online presentation on “Using Participatory Tools for M&E"

American University, Ann Ferren Conference 2018: Planned and chaired panel, and spoke on “Teaching Research Methods Online”

American University, Online Community of Practice 2018: Organized and chaired presentation on "Inclusivity in the Online Classroom"

American University, Ann Ferren Conference, 2017: Created video and spoke at CTRL session on "Advanced Online Content;" Created video for Session on "Leveraging E Learning Strategies: Tips and Techniques"

American University, Online Community of Practice 2017: Organized and chaired presentation on "Inclusivity in the Online Classroom"

American Evaluation Association, Coffee Break Webinar, 2017: Gave online presentation on “Emerging Trends in Evaluation: Complex Evaluations"

American Evaluation Association, Coffee Break Webinar, 2017: Gave online presentation on “Emerging Trends in Evaluation: Data Analytics, Qualitative Methods, and USAID Reporting Frameworks

American University, SPExS M&E Seminar, 2015:  Gave online presentation on “Using Observation and Participant Observation for M&E”

University of Pittsburgh, Methods Seminar, 2014: Gave presentation on “Observation”

American University, Center for Teaching, Research, and Learning, 2013: Presented paper on “Using Technology in the Classroom”

University of Pittsburgh, Global Studies Conference, 2013: Presented paper on “Micropolitics and the Rural Areas of South Africa”

American University, Ann Ferren Teaching Conference, 2011: Presented paper on “Experiential education: Collaborating with students”

US Foreign Service Institute, Lecture Series for Officers in Africa, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008: Gave lectures on “Gender in Development in Africa”

US Department of State, 2007: Briefed outgoing US Ambassadors to Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone

Syracuse University, Maxwell School for International Affairs, 2007: Gave presentation on “Democratization Programs in West Africa”

National Democratic Institute, 2007: Organized and chaired panel on “Legislative Strengthening in West Africa and Latin America: Comparative Perspectives”

National Democratic Institute, 2007: Gave presentation on “Conflict Resolution Programs and Elections in Sierra Leone”

National Democratic Institute, 2007: Gave presentation on “Political Trends and the Upcoming Election in Sierra Leone”

George Mason University, Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, 2007 Gave presentation on “Careers in International Development”

George Mason University, Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, 2006: Organized and chaired discussion on “Rwanda Means the Universe”

Washington College of Law, Founders Day Celebrations, “Common Ground: Global Perspectives on Minority Land Rights,” 2006: Gave paper on “Minority and Female Land Rights in Zimbabwe”

US Foreign Service Institute, Lecture Series for Officers in Africa, 2006: Gave lectures on “Environmental Challenges in Africa”

US Foreign Service Institute, Lecture Series for Officers in Africa, 2006: Gave lectures on “Democratization in Africa”

Research Interests

  • Qualitative Methods in Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Teaching of Evaluation

Honors, Awards, and Fellowships

  • American University, CTRL, Anti-Racism Learning Community, 2020
  • American University, SPExS, Excellence in Teaching and Service Award, 2017-2018
  • American University, SPExS, Award to Develop Faculty Seminar, 2014
  • American University, Mobile Learning Award, 2013
  • American University, Jack Child Teaching with Technology Award, 2013
  • American University, Certified Green Teacher, 2009-present  
  • American University, Provost Office Grant to Develop Distance Education Course, 2008 and 2010
  • American University, Washington Semester Research Grant to Conduct Research in South Africa, 2004
  • American University, Washington Semester and World Capitals Program Research Grant to Conduct Research in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia, 2003
  • American University, Washington Semester and World Capitals Program Research Grant to Conduct Research in Zimbabwe, 2001
  • University of Witwatersrand Johannesburg Research Grant to Conduct Research in Zimbabwe, 2000
  • US Government Boren Scholarship to Carry Out Language Instruction and Dissertation Research in South Africa, 1997
  • University of Pittsburgh Nationality Rooms Grant to Conduct Research in South Africa, 1995
  • University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, Travel Grant for Exploratory Dissertation Research in South Africa, 1995

Announcements

As a Program Director, I advise and mentor AU's Measurement and Evaluation students and alumni, helping to support their professional development. I edit student publications, support their conference presentations, and arrange webinars, among other activities.

AU Experts

Area of Expertise

Political and economic development in southern Africa, especially Zimbabwe and South Africa. Monitoring and evaluation.

Additional Information

An Assistant Professor School of Professional & Extended Studies, Dr. Peters is a specialist in human security in Africa and has written extensively on economic development, democratization, and HIV/AIDS. She has more than twenty years experience teaching, conducting research, and managing projects in southern and West Africa. An expert on political and economic development in Zimbabwe, she has provided political analyses to the government of South Africa and the private sector, and is regularly featured in local and international media including the South African Broadcasting Corporation news, New York Times, Voice of America, and Radio France International. Dr. Peters has developed proposals for and managed democratization and community development programs in South Africa, Darfur, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, among other countries. Additional Positions at AU: Program Director, Certificate in Project Monitoring and Evaluation

For the Media

To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

Related Links