Measurement systems
Full profile
Alemayehu Bekele, PhD
Pronounced ah-leh-MY-yoo beh-KEH-leh
Senior Researcher - Applied research, evaluation design, measurement systems, quantitative analysis, mixed-methods research, and applied AI workflows
15+ years
Applied research, evaluation, and organizational learning
Systems level
Federal, state, district, university, and foundation work
Methods
Quantitative analysis, surveys, interviews, dashboards, reporting
Current edge
Applied AI integration in research and evaluation workflows
Profile
Senior researcher who helps agencies, districts, universities, foundations, and program teams study complex work while it is being built, refined, or scaled. More than 15 years of experience across evaluation design, quantitative analysis, measurement systems, mixed-methods research, dashboards, organizational learning, and applied AI workflows for education, prevention, workforce, and public-sector initiatives.
Selected work at a glance
Statewide evaluation
ISBE 21st Century Community Learning Centers
Survey revision, outcomes analysis, trend checks, and grantee-facing reporting.EIR impact research
Circle Up: Integrating Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning
Logic model, measurement strategy, implementation evidence, and impact study data.Quantitative evaluation
MA DESE Acceleration Academies and HQIM Implementation Grant
Impact analysis, survey analytics, implementation evidence, dashboards, and reports.Experience
Education Development Center
2017 - PresentSenior Researcher, 2022 - Present; Researcher, 2017 - 2022
- Leads quantitative research, evaluation design, data integration, and reporting for large-scale education and social policy initiatives.
- Designs and refines measurement systems, surveys, dashboards, administrative-data workflows, and mixed-methods learning plans with partners.
- Current and recent work includes MA DESE Birth-to-Higher Education Metrics, ISBE 21st CCLC, DESE Acceleration Academies, Clark University, HQIM, PKFEA, Circle Up, and SPTAC.
University of Massachusetts Boston, College of Management
Part-timeAdjunct Lecturer
- Teaches part-time in the College of Management, bringing applied research, evaluation, and data-use experience into management education.
Visionary Consulting Partners
2023 - 2024Senior Evaluation Specialist, Part-time
- Led evaluation of the 988 Press 1 Paid Media Campaign for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Managed mixed-methods data collection, survey and focus group analysis, team workflow, stakeholder coordination, and summative reporting.
Education
- PhD, Development Economics - Radboud University, Netherlands
- MA, Sustainable International Development - Brandeis University
- MA, Marketing - Mekelle University
- BA, Business Management - Ambo University
Selected partners and funders
- Federal and public programs: NSF, DOD, NIH, SAMHSA, U.S. Department of Education, EIR, Office of Head Start, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and AEOP.
- State systems and districts: Massachusetts Executive Office of Education, MA DESE, Department of Early Education and Care, Department of Higher Education, ISBE, Boston Public Schools, Omaha Public Schools, Aldine ISD, Southbridge Public Schools, and Massachusetts school teams.
- Foundations and research partners: Nellie Mae, MacArthur, Sherwood, Peter Kiewit Foundation, The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, Clark University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering, Northeastern University, CAST, Museum of Science, Boston Children's Museum, NYSCI, Teaching Lab, and Complexly.
Publications and selected reports
- Ruben, R., Bekele, A. D., and Lenjiso, B. M. (2017). Quality upgrading in Ethiopian dairy value chains: Dovetailing upstream and downstream perspectives. Review of Social Economy, 75(3), 296-317.
- Bekele, A. D., Beuving, J., and Ruben, R. (2017). How African households shop: Evidence from dairy chains in Ethiopia. The European Journal of Development Research, 29(4), 806-826.
- Bekele, A. D., Beuving, J., and Ruben, R. (2017). How do health information and sensory attributes influence consumer choice for dairy products? International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, 34(5).
- Bekele, A. D., Beuving, J., and Ruben, R. (2016). Food choices in Ethiopia: Does nutritional information matter? International Journal of Consumer Studies, 40(6), 625-634.
- Main, K. L., Bell, D. X., Bekele, A. D., Missner, M., et al. (2019). Forced from Home: A Human Rights Assessment of Displacement and Evictions in Boston's Chinatown. MIT Displacement Research Action Network and Chinese Progressive Association.
- NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub. (2021). Centering inclusivity and equity within family engagement in STEM. Research Brief No. 7. Compiled by Coordination Hub members including Mercy Mugo, Simone Soso, Alemayehu Bekele, Greta Olivares, and Daniela Saucedo.
- NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub and The National Girls Collaborative Project. (2021). Evidence-based strategies for attracting and retaining girls and women in STEM. Research Brief No. 4. Prepared by Mercy Mugo, Alemayehu Bekele, and Daniela Saucedo.
- Zaidi, S., Schiavo, N., Wang, A., Hoyle, C., Bekele, A., and DeLisi, J. (2024). Evaluation of the High-Quality Instructional Materials Implementation Grant Program: Summative Report. Education Development Center.
- Zaidi, S., Schiavo, N., Wang, A., Hoyle, C., Bekele, A., and DeLisi, J. (2024). Evaluation of the High-Quality Instructional Materials Implementation Grant Program: Summary Report. Education Development Center.
- Fitzhugh, G., Na'im, A., Bekele, A., et al. (2023). AEOP FY22 Summative Evaluation Report. Army Educational Outreach Program.
- Braham, E., Lavigne, H., Raynal, A., Bekele, A., Savage, K., Machado Corral, S., and Muller, S. (2023). Researching and Developing Culturally Responsive Videos to support Multilingual Learners in Chemistry. Conference proceeding, Learning & Technology Library.
Selected public engagement
- Culturally Responsive Evaluation Series panelist, Northeastern University Public Evaluation Lab and Institute for Health Equity and Social Justice Research, April 6, 2021. Annual report.
Professional memberships
- American Evaluation Association
- Greater Boston Evaluation Network