Mindfulness Meets Evaluation: Insights from Jim McDavid

In this episode, I talk with Jim McDavid, Ph.D., about his experience with mindfulness and meditation practice, how it has influenced him, and how it affects how he views and practices evaluation. Our conversation also covers practical wisdom, Jim’s interest in the environment, and challenges associated with determining cause and effect in evaluation. Jim is Professor Emeritus at the School of Public Administration, University of Victoria, which he joined as faculty in 1980. He was a recipient of the University of Victoria Alumni Teaching Award, and he received the University of Victoria’s highest academic honor, the UVic Distinguished Professorship Award. He has contributed significantly to the field of evaluation, and the reason I reached out to him related to his work related to mindfulness and evaluation. 00:00 Introduction 01:57 Jim’s definition of mindfulness 05:20 The ethical dimension of mindfulness 08:49 How Jim’s mindfulness practice has evolved over time 11:46 Difference between Transcendental Meditation and Vipassana 15:33 The spiritual dimension of meditation 22:10 Subjectivity of cause and effect 29:34 How mindfulness opens up the mind 35:52 Mindfulness can support evaluation practice 40:32 Connection to practical wisdom 44:45 Importance of being present and really listening in evaluation contexts 49:20 Judgment and evaluation 50:46 Starting a mindfulness practice For more go to:

You can listen to Mindfulness Meets Evaluation: Insights from Jim McDavid online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Mindfulness Meets Evaluation: Insights from Jim McDavid is an episode from Data Talks by James Pann.

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This episode was published on Apr 11, 2023.

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