Australian Evaluation Society

As the year winds down, we extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones for a joyful and restful holiday season. Thank you for being part of our community this year—we’re grateful for your support, insights, and shared passion for growth and meaningful impact. Here’s to a bright and inspiring year ahead in 2025! 🎄 🎉 🕎 🎉Happy Holidays! 🎉🕎 🎉 🎄 #evaluation #evaluationlearning

The latest issue of the Evaluation Journal of Australasia is here! This issue dives deep into evaluator competencies, professional learning, and the practical applications of the Learn Evaluation Assessment Portal (LEAP). From research findings to actionable tools, these articles provide valuable insights for evaluators at all stages of their careers. This special edition is freely accessible via SAGE as an Open Access publication. https://www.aes.asn.au/eja #evaluation #evaluationlearning

Join the Pathways or Policy Advisory Committee We are excited to invite Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from members to join either the Pathways Advisory Committee or the Policy Advisory Committee for a two-year term, commencing in early 2025. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction and impactful work of our organisation. About the Committees Pathways Advisory Committee Focuses on developing clear professional and career pathways in evaluation, supporting the AES Strategic Plan. Key priorities include enhancing professionalisation, creating growth opportunities, and ensuring alignment with organisational values. Policy Advisory Committee Leads in the Leadership Domain, advancing AES as the trusted voice on evaluation in Australia. The committee supports thought leadership, policy development, and advocacy efforts to strengthen the evaluation ecosystem. For more information, refer to the full Terms of Reference below. Policy TOR: https://lnkd.in/gXbANr9W Pathways TOR: https://lnkd.in/gju2SMaQ Who we’re looking for We welcome applications from all members (or staff of organisational members), including current committee members wishing to continue their involvement. Ideal candidates are passionate about evaluation, possess relevant skills and experiences, and are eager to contribute to the strategic objectives of AES. What commitment are we asking from you? ◾ Serve up to a two-year term. ◾ 2–3 hours per month, not exceeding 8 hours, with flexibility for project work. How to Submit an EOI To express your interest, please complete this online form. https://lnkd.in/gBh7adsD You will be asked for:  1. Why you want to join: A brief description of your reason/s to join. 2. Your evaluation journey: A summary of your experience in evaluation. 3. What you bring: A description of the skills, knowledge and perspective you will bring. 4. Your choice of committee: Indicate your choice of committee. Applications close: Tuesday 4 February 2025: https://lnkd.in/gBh7adsD #evaluation #evaluationlearning

We’re looking for volunteers to help review conference submissions for 2025! The review period will take place between late March and early April, typically spanning two weeks. With the exception of Ignite sessions, all proposals are reviewed through a double-blind process, ensuring anonymity for both authors and reviewers. Our new review system is fully automated, and you’ll receive clear instructions on how to use the online assessment tool. As a token of appreciation, all reviewers will be acknowledged in the conference handbook.  Ready to contribute? Volunteer to shape an exceptional conference program! https://lnkd.in/gySeWQeg Deadline to volunteer to review: close 12 March 2025 #aes25CBR #evaluation #evaluationlearning

Wunya, kia ora, greetings to you all Today I’m connecting with you from the beautiful lands of the Gubbi Gubbi|Kabi Kabi Peoples on the Sunshine Coast of Qld. I’m grateful to live here and recognise the Gubbi Gubbi and all Traditional Owners across this mighty land. 2024 seems to have come and gone far too quickly and it hasn’t been without challenges for many right here in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, and across the globe. Many people I’ve connected with this year have expressed a sense of helplessness as we’ve witnessed climate catastrophies, poilitical unrest and displaced people. Equally there is a lot of hope and resilience out there too. The AES community can be a refuge in difficult times. We recognise the warm and collegial community of evaluators we have. Many of you seek friendship and opportunities to share ideas through AES events. It is the AES organisational values which underpin and embody our society - Recognition, Inclusion, Relationships and Sustainability. This year at aes24, at workshops and at a variety of meetings many of us have experienced one or more of these values in action. An expectation of the Board is that members will recognise and express these organisational values as they go about and contribute to AES business.  Gathering this year in Naarm|Melbourne for the aes24 International Evaluation Conference was a highlight. The keynote speakers evoked passion and a range of excellent sessions engaged us, reminding us why evaluation is our vocation.  This year the Board has used the organisational values to guide the development of the strategic priorities for 2024-2028. Under the four strategic domains of Culture, Leadership, Pathways and Vitality we look forward to working with you to deliver on a range of goals and priorities. The Board appreciated your participation in the strategic planning process to achieve these areas of focus. I’d like to thank you for your membership and for your ongoing commitment to the vision and mission of the AES. As a Board we appreciate and acknowledge the time commitment and genuine interest of our regional networks, committee members, working groups, Special Interest Groups (SIG) and all members who contribute to support the evaluation community in a variety of ways. Guided by the values, together we create the mauri of the AES, meaning we breathe the lifeforce into the AES. We involve ourselves through engaging in topical conversations, writing articles, blogs and leading or attending workshops that aim to assist us in evaluation practice, theory and application. The Canberra conference is now firmly on our radar and the call for proposals is open. I hope you all have the aes25 dates in your calendars. We look forward to seeing you on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country in Canberra. On behalf of the AES Board, I wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy time over the festive and summer period.  Mauri ora, in good health Kiri Parata President #evaluation

Reflecting on 2024 at AES As we close the chapter on 2024, we’re filled with gratitude and pride for an extraordinary year of shared learning, professional growth, and connection within the AES community. Here are some highlights: 🎉 Record-Breaking aes24 Conference Over 700 delegates joined us in Melbourne | Melbourne for the largest AES conference in history, packed with insights, innovation, and networking. 📚 Expanded Professional Learning 66 online workshops, including 9 new ones tailored to emerging trends, supported diverse learning journeys. 🏆 Celebrating Excellence The AES Awards for Excellence honored exceptional contributions, and we welcomed three new Fellows: Doyen Radcliffe, Amy Gullickson, and Theo Nabben. 🌐 Community Connection 30 online seminars and 20 in-person events brought members together across the globe. SIGs hosted 10+ engaging seminars, showcasing innovation and collaboration. 🤖 FestEVAL24: AI & Machine Learning A three-day event diving into AI’s role in evaluation, ethics, tools, and more. 🔑 Strategic Milestones New values of Recognition, Inclusion, Relationships, and Sustainability. New Strategic Priorities 2024–2028 to enhance cultural safety, professional growth, and thought leadership. 🚀 Online Growth With 1,183 new LinkedIn followers and 112,152 impressions, our community’s reach and impact continues to grow. A heartfelt thank you to our members, volunteers, and partners—your energy and dedication power the AES community. We’re excited to continue building opportunities for collaboration, learning, and mentoring in the year ahead. Wishing you a joyful and restful holiday season! 🎄 AES Office Closure: 20 December 2024 – 6 January 2025 #evaluation #evaluationlearning

We're thrilled to welcome Dr. Bianca Montrosse-Moorhead as a keynote speaker at #aes25CBR. Bianca Montrosse-Moorhead is a Professor of Evaluation at the University of Connecticut, where she also directs the Partnership for Evaluation and Educational Research (PEER) lab. She is currently the Co-Editor-in-Chief of New Directions for Evaluation. She has served as a Board Member of the American Evaluation Association, and co-founded and Chaired the EvalYouth Global Network. Bianca’s research describes what is distinct about evaluation and the work evaluators do. One arm focuses on the boundaries between evaluation and other professions, and the translation of evaluation approaches to practice. A second arm focuses on how we teach others to “think” and “act” like evaluators and to exercise the types of judgment evaluation practice demands. A third arm centers on improving the tools we use in practice, with a recent focus on artificial intelligence. In 2020, Bianca began using open science practices to get her evaluation scholarship out from behind paywalls and into the hands of evaluation practitioners, managers, and commissioners. Bianca’s publications include special issues of evaluation journals, chapters, educational resources for teaching evaluation, evaluation-specific checklists, an R workbook, and several dozen journal articles and evaluation reports. She has led several multi-year process and impact evaluations guided by different evaluation approaches and that used quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods. In addition to her university teaching, she has facilitated evaluation workshops in several countries, including Canada, Cote d’Ivoire, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, and Mexico. #evaluation #evaluationlearning #aes25CBR

Calling all evaluators, thinkers, and change-makers! The annual call for proposals is officially open for the aes25 International Evaluation Conference taking place in the nation's capital, Canberra on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country. ◾ Do you have an innovative idea, a story to tell, or an insight that could spark change?  ◾ Have an idea for a workshop or presentation? Don’t miss out on this opportunity to shape the conversation and make an impact at next year’s conference. Learn about the conference and submission process here: https://lnkd.in/gKabNWfX #evaluation #evaluationlearning #aes25CBR

We’re excited to share that our CEO, Bill Wallace will be participating in the 2025 Associations Forum National Conference in Naarm | Melbourne, as a panelist on Future Directions for Association Events. AES is proud to be a member of Associations Forum, this connection strengthens our ability to serve our members and advance the field of evaluation in Australia. #AFNC25 #evaluation #evaluationlearning

Announcing Prof. Angie Abdilla as a keynote for #aes25CBR, founder and director of Old Ways, New. In her various roles as a strategic designer, creative practitioner, and consultant, Professor Angie Abdilla is a Palawa woman and advocates for Indigenous peoples, knowledges, and knowledge systems as foundational to technology automation through design and cultural practice. Her published research interrogates the praxis of Indigenous deeptime technologies and Artificial Intelligence, which continue to be informed by the Indigenous Protocols and AI working group (IP//AI), which she co-founded. As a creative practitioner, she works across film and video installation as an exhibiting artist. She created the company’s strategic design methodology, Country Centered Design, leading projects for the public and private sectors over the past decade. Angie continues to advise on the cultural and ethical affordances of automated systems and technologies internationally and locally. #evaluation #evalautionlearning #aes25CBR