Meaningful Measurement in the Era of AI

An Invitation to Inquiry

The Insights for Action seminar series explores how researchers and practitioners within and beyond Oxford are using research insights to drive social change.

AI is beginning to show the potential to transform impact measurement through efficient data analysis and reporting. This session asks a different question: what does meaningful measurement look like in an era of AI?

A year ago, the Skoll Centre and Old Fire Station published the Meaningful Measurement Playbook, arguing that impact measurement should be non-reductive, inclusive, non-extractive, and empowering. Now AI promises to reshape how we measure impact entirely. But does faster and cheaper measurement mean more meaningful measurement? Or does it risk accelerating exactly the issues the Playbook was designed to address?

Drawing on the playbook, we explore whether AI makes measurement more meaningful or simply more efficient - and what that means for organisations, funders, and the people closest to the work.

Speakers:

Karim Harji works with people and organisations to strengthen how they finance, measure, and improve their social impact. At the University of Oxford, he leads the Impact Measurement Programme at Saïd Business School, enabling leaders to navigate the complexity of measuring and managing social impact, and teaches in executive programmes on impact investing and innovative finance.
As an independent advisor at Evalysis, he helps organisations design strategies and structures for deploying impact investments and philanthropy, develop credible approaches to describe and evaluate social impact, and enhance organisational capabilities and learning. His work is informed by two decades of global experience across sectors, regions, and organization types; board and advisory roles spanning nonprofit, investment, and field-building organisations; and a PhD from the University of Oxford.

Nick Andreou is Head of AI at Better Society Capital, where he works at the intersection of technology, impact investing, and impact measurement to help grow the social investment market. He previously worked at the organisation from 2021–2023, and rejoined in 2025 as an Impact Manager before moving into his current role. Nick is also the founder of Impact Edge Consulting, advising early-stage investors and mission-driven startups on using impact as a source of competitive advantage. Earlier in his career, he was Head of Insight and Impact at Balloon Ventures and a researcher at the University of Nottingham. He holds a PhD from the University of Nottingham and an MBA from Oxford Saïd Business School, and is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford’s Skoll Centre.

Sarah Cassidy is Head of Inclusion and Learning at the Old Fire Station arts centre in Oxford, leading work on community engagement, place-based change, and meaningful measurement. Over the past seven years, she has led the development of the Storytelling evaluation method, originally created to understand OFS’s impact and now used by more than 250 organisations and partners locally and nationally. She also leads the Old Fire Station’s work on Meaningful Measurement across Oxfordshire, bringing partners together to test and develop more human-centred approaches to understanding impact, and to share learning that aims to inform practice and influence change locally. Her background is in Applied Theatre, community development, and workshop facilitation.

Moderator:

Professor Marya Besharov is Professor of Organisations and Impact and Academic Director of the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship. Her research and teaching focus on leadership, social impact, and hybrid organisations. She engages with leaders and organisations worldwide to help them manage competing demands of social impact and financial performance. Marya received a BA in Social Studies, an MA in Sociology, and a PhD in Organisational Behaviour from Harvard University. She also holds an MBA from Stanford University.

Please note: the link to access the event online will be emailed to you on the day of the event.