Beyond RCTs: Rethinking Evidence, Power, and What Counts as Impact

​Event Description

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have become one of the most influential tools for measuring impact in the social sector. Yet as their use has grown, so have questions about their accessibility, relevance, and unintended consequences.

This session takes a critical look at the role of rigorous impact evaluation, asking not just whether RCTs work, but when they matter, when they don’t, and who they serve. What happens when the pursuit of “gold standard” evidence shapes funding decisions, organizational growth, and whose work is seen as credible?

We will explore the real-world implications of current evidence norms, from the barriers they create for smaller or locally led organizations to the ways they influence program design and funding flows. At the same time, the conversation will examine how different forms of evidence, including lived experience and operational data, can complement or challenge traditional approaches.

Grounded in practical experience, including large-scale evaluations that raised as many questions as answers, this session invites an honest discussion about how to build more inclusive, useful, and context-aware approaches to evidence and learning.

Speakers

• ​Christopher Turillo is Co-Founder of Medha, enabling youth in India to access career opportunities through large-scale training and partnerships.

• ​Enrico Guizzardi is Business Development and Communications Manager at Laterite, supporting growth and engagement across research and advisory work.

• ​Manushi Yadav is Director of Strategy and Partnerships at Pratham USA, leading global strategy and partnerships across education initiatives.

• ​Alisha Myers is Executive Director of Impact and Learning at World Bicycle Relief, advancing mobility solutions to improve health, education, and economic outcomes in rural communities.

​Discussion Questions
When are RCTs the right tool, and when do they fall short?
How do evidence requirements shape who gets funded and who gets to grow?
What alternative or complementary approaches to evidence should we be using?
How can we balance rigor with relevance in real-world decision-making?

​Location & access
Accessibility matters deeply to us, and we do our best to choose spaces that reflect that. That said, some of our Oxford venues are in historic buildings without lifts. This room is unfortunately not accessible for wheelchair users, those with mobility challenges, or anyone needing step-free access.