MERL Tech is a term for digital tools and approaches that enable monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL). The term also describes the wider field of work at the intersection of technology and MERL.
The MERL Tech Initiative (MTI) and its core collaborators work with social sector organizations to achieve thoughtful tech-enabled program design, implementation, and MERL.
We convene communities of practice to share learning and advance responsible, ethical, realistic digital approaches that center people, communities and societies. We advocate for a strong focus on equity, justice and avoiding harm. Learn more about our work!
Join MERL professionals to connect, network and learn.
Linda Raftree joins in-person workshop spotlights real results from deploying open source Generative AI across three nations that are effectively transforming public services in health, agriculture, and climate resilience.
The IPDET Workshops in Bern (Switzerland) will take place from July 13 to 17, 2026. Linda Raftree (The MERL Tech Initiative) is co-facilitating a training with Paul Jasper to help evaluators who have so far had limited exposure to emerging AI, including Generative AI (GenAI), to understand potential implications and risks for their area of work. Learn more and register here.
This 2-day free in-person workshop will equip participants to think critically about AI, evaluate where it genuinely adds value to MERL workflows, and apply it responsibly. We will cover two key aspects: 1) how to apply AI to support tasks along the MERL lifecycle, and 2) how to conduct MERL of AI-enabled efforts (such as chatbots in health or agriculture).
