Decolonising M&E Systems Lecture | 22 April 2026 | 14:00-15.50
As the world moves toward a post-aid era, many questions are emerging about development outcomes and the most effective and efficient ways to achieve them. Are traditional approaches to development still the answer? What systems are best suited to help us understand success and change? Most importantly, how do we move toward decolonised development practices, tools, and ways of thinking? These questions have been circulating among decision-makers and development practitioners - particularly among local Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) practitioners who often design and implement M&E systems.
Additionally, as multilateral development organisations, bilateral donors, and international NGOs face budget cuts and increasing pressure to fill funding gaps created by shifting aid dynamics, effective M&E systems have become even more crucial. Programmes are now expected to achieve greater impact with fewer resources and show this through their M&E systems. However, M&E systems have historically reflected Western values and approaches to measurement, learning, and evidence, rather than being designed for and grounded in local contexts. This often makes M&E systems useful for accountability but not learning. In this session, we will reflect on ways to begin decolonising M&E systems.
The lecture will explore practical approaches to decolonising different components of M&E systems, examine the politics of this process, and discuss how to collaborate with communities to build locally led M&E systems.
About Schlain Bhayla
Schlain Bhayla is a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist with over 15 years of experience in the development sector. Her multi-sector experience includes work across Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development, Food Security, Youth Employment and Workforce Readiness programmes. As well as various Corporate Social Responsibility programmes related to local government capacity building, HIV and AIDS, public health and education. She has designed and implemented Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks and Systems, and has worked as an Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor to train and support development professionals with implementing Monitoring and Evaluation activities in their programmes and projects. Schlain believes that her work in plays a critical role in strengthening accountability, improving program effectiveness, and ultimately driving sustainable change.
She has had the privilege of working with programmes in Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America and Zimbabwe. Schlain holds a Master of Science degree in Development Evaluation and Management from the Institute of Development Policy. As well as a Master of Management degree with a focus on Public and Development Sector Monitoring and Evaluation from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. She balances her professional dedication with a love for nature and the ocean where she finds inspiration in the outdoors.
Programme
Wednesday 22 April 2026 at R.011 - Stadscampus from 14:00-15.50
Attendance for the UAntwerp community, and UAntwerp students and staff is free, but spots are limited so please register below.