Summer 2020 Newsletter

Dr. Betty Onyura holds a Ph.D in Industrial Organizational Psychology and is a Credentialed Evaluator with the Canadian Evaluation Society. Dr. Onyura works as an Evaluation Research Scientist (The Centre for Faculty Development) and is Assistant Professor and Evaluation Science Lead with the Office of Education Scholarship, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto.
 
How would you describe your applied education research program?
 
Evaluation Science. This involves developing theory and conducting research on program evaluation. Naturally, my work places an emphasis on evaluation practices in Health Professions Education where I am both a scientist and practitioner of Evaluation.

People hold many assumptions about Program Evaluation that are not necessarily supported by evidence. For example, Evaluation is perpetually mandated in Medical Education. Many assume it is a social good and that it adds value to our Educational systems. However, the evidence to support this belief is unfounded or unclear.

We know little about how evaluation is used in the health professions and even less about its impact on health professions education as a whole. 

I am interested in exploring questions about how and why evaluation is utilized across our system. This includes examining how cultural and political environments – and tensions – impact how evaluation is practiced and used.

And, of course – like any Evaluation scientist-practitioner, I am continually developing and evolving conceptual frameworks and other methodological tools to help conduct meaningful evaluative studies.

What project and related insights make you particularly excited about your work right now?
 
One project I am particularly enjoying involves studying the experiences of Evaluation practitioners across health care and health profession education systems to better understand the tensions they must navigate in their work.

I don’t have insights yet – we are in the early stages of data collection – however, I’m excited about what we’ll learn because it will be key to better understanding gaps and opportunities in evaluation utilization.

If I can take the liberty of noting a second project, I am currently working with some amazing collaborators on disseminating conceptual frameworks about the evaluation of the implementation of innovative or reformative programs. I think evaluation of implementation is often neglected in our field – and is an area that is ripe for conceptual exploration.  
 
How did you become an AERO Scientist?
 
The short answer is Stella strong armed me. However, it was clear that there was an opportunity – and a need – to advance Education science at Unity Health.

High quality, practice-relevant research will not only elevate the profile of education at our institution but the knowledge gained can benefit all who work and learn under the Unity Health banner.

We need to study more, write more, disseminate more, and engage more of our colleagues in our applied research work. My view is that AERO is part of how we put tangible structures in place to support this work.
 
How do you de-compress and enjoy your spare time away from work?
 
I love gardening! Our family now grows enough onions and garlic to be self-sufficient throughout the year.
 
Unity Health Toronto grants you a paid 6-month vacation. Where do you go and who’s coming with you?
 
I would go to Kenya. I would enrol my children in school so they could experience a bit of what my childhood was like. Plus, I’ve promised my daughter a close-up view of an elephant.