Speaking on Human Flourishing
Research-grounded talks and conversations that explore human flourishing, dignity, and identity transformation inside prison, drawing on original research and the lived stories of men who have changed what they’re living for.
Giving voice to transformation, dignity, and human flourishing behind bars.
Dr. Robin LaBarbera speaks about what happens when people society has written off are given access to formation, education, and hope. Drawing on original mixed-methods research and years of qualitative interviews inside prisons, she brings audiences into close contact with the lived reality of men who have changed what they are living for.
Her talks weave together research, storytelling, theology, and lived experience, offering a grounded and human portrait of transformation that challenges assumptions about incarceration, rehabilitation, and flourishing.
These conversations resonate in churches,
universities, nonprofits, and donor spaces where people are asking deeper questions about justice, redemption, and lasting change.
About the Speaker
Dr. Robin LaBarbera is an independent program evaluator, researcher, and writer focused on human flourishing and community well-being. A Professor Emerita with doctoral training in social work and education, she partners with nonprofits and ministries to measure impact, tell truthful stories, and assess whether programs are actually changing lives.
Her latest book, It’s Changed What I’m Living For, explores the impact of theological education in prison through both research findings and the transformation stories of incarcerated men. The work draws from a multi-year study of nearly 300 participants connected to The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) and prison-based ministry efforts affiliated with World Impact.
Robin is known for creating spaces where complexity is honored, dignity is centered, and people leave with both clarity and hope.
Speaking Topics
What Flourishing Looks Like Behind Bars
What does human flourishing mean in a place designed for punishment? This talk explores research findings from inside prison alongside lived stories that reveal how purpose, identity, relationships, and faith take shape under constraint.
Ideal for: Universities, research forums, nonprofits, foundations
________________
Measuring What Matters When People Are Written Off
How do we evaluate transformation in places marked by trauma, loss, and long sentences? This talk invites audiences into the ethical and practical challenges of measuring impact when dignity is at stake.
Ideal for: Nonprofit leaders, evaluators, funders, ministry staff
________________
What Prison Teaches Us About Formation and Hope
A reflective conversation on formation under constraint, spiritual resilience, and what the church and wider society can learn from faith that takes root behind bars.
Ideal for: Churches, seminaries, spiritual formation spaces
Program Evaluation Presentation Topics
Robin LaBarbera offers thoughtful, practical speaking sessions that help organizations measure what matters and tell the fuller story of their work. Sessions typically run 45–90 minutes and can also be adapted into half-day or full-day workshops.
These talks have been presented at conferences and as stand-alone workshops for program evaluators, nonprofit leaders, ministry teams, and public-service organizations.
Topics
- Creating Measurable Outcomes
Move beyond activity counts to outcomes that reflect real change.
- Building a Culture of Evaluation
How to make learning, reflection, and data part of everyday practice.
- Logic Models That Actually Work
Creating clear, usable logic and impact models for real-world programs.
- Program Evaluation 101
A practical guide for nonprofit and ministry professionals who want clarity without jargon.
- Using Data to Tell Better Stories
Leveraging data visualization from planning through reporting to communicate impact with integrity.
Format and Availability
Invite Dr. LaBarbera to Speak
If you are interested in hosting a conversation or exploring a speaking opportunity, please reach out using the contact form below or email robin@labarberalearning.com