Register for the June MEL Introductory Concepts and Skills Intensive

Workshop: Introduction to Evaluation: Core Concepts and Methods

Date and time: Tuesday 16 June 2026, 9.30am - 4.30pm AEST (registration from 9.15am) Registrants to attend one full day session. There will be a lunch break in addition to two shorter breaks. 

Venue: Via Zoom. Details will be emailed to registrants just prior to the workshop start time

Facilitator: Charlie Tulloch

Register online by: 15 June 2026, unless sold out prior limited to 25 participants.

Fees (GST inclusive): Members $375.00, AES Organisational member staff $505.00, Non-members $589.00, Student member $179.00, Student non-member $275.00* *Students must send proof of their full-time student status to aes@aes.asn.au 

Workshop Overview

This workshop is aimed at those who are new or intermediate in the evaluation field. Its purpose is to outline the key concepts, terms and approaches for conducting or commissioning evaluation projects. It defines the role of the evaluator and the rationale for evaluation. It details the various evaluation approaches and a seven-phase method for conducting evaluation projects.

In doing so, the workshop steps through the key steps in framing, conducting and reporting on evaluation findings. It also provides guidance for commissioners of evaluation and shares resources for evaluators to continue building their skills and knowledge.

Workshop Content

This is a knowledge-building workshop that will provide attendees with greater clarity about core evaluation concepts and methods for conducting research.

Workshop Objectives

The purpose of the workshop is to provide attendees with an opportunity to reflect on the place of evaluation in the policy cycle and to improve their awareness of the different stages in completing high-quality evaluation projects.

PL competencies

This workshop aligns with competencies in the AES Evaluator’s Professional Learning Competency Framework. The identified domains are:

• Domain 1 – Evaluative attitude and professional practice

• Domain 2 – Evaluation theory

• Domain 3 – Culture, stakeholders and context

• Domain 4 – Research methods and systematic inquiry

• Domain 5 – Project management

Who should attend?

Those who are new or intermediate in the evaluation field, or those who feel they would benefit from time to reflect on the core themes and theory underpinning the evaluation field.

Workshop start times

• VIC, NSW, ACT, TAS, QLD: 9.30am

• SA, NT: 9.00am

• WA: 7.30am

• New Zealand: 11.30pm

For other time zones please go to https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

About the facilitator

Charlie is a public sector evaluation and public policy consultant. Since mid-2008, he has worked in small, medium, and large consulting firms. He founded Policy Performance in February 2018 to support public sector policy development, implementation and evaluation.

Charlie started his career on the Victorian public service graduate program in 2004, then worked for the Department of Premier and Cabinet for four and a half years, providing policy advice in the areas of infrastructure, intergovernmental relations, economic development, tourism, major events, sport and recreation, and innovation.

Since turning to consulting, he has completed evaluation and reform projects across many portfolios, including Indigenous affairs, education and training (early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary), industry/economic development, intergovernmental relations, community services, emergency services, out-of-home care, grants administration, sport and recreation, regional development and justice/corrections.

Charlie completed a Master of Evaluation in 2014 and was a tutor in Impact Evaluation at the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Program Evaluation between 2015-18. He was an online facilitator for Oxford University’s Evidence in Public Policy leadership short course in 2020. He was an AES Board member between 2020 and 2022.

Workshop: Introduction to Evaluation 2: Data Collection Essentials

Date and time: Wednesday 17 June 2026, 9.30am - 4.30pm AEST (registration from 9.15am) Registrants to attend one full day session. There will be a lunch break in addition to two shorter breaks.

Venue: Via Zoom. Details will be emailed to registrants just prior to the workshop start time

Facilitator: Charlie Tulloch

Register online by: Tuesday16 June 2026, unless sold out prior limited to 25 participants.

Fees (GST inclusive): Members $375.00, AES Organisational member staff $505.00, Non-members $589.00, Student member $179.00, Student non-member $275.00* *Students must send proof of their full-time student status to aes@aes.asn.au 

Workshop Overview

The Introduction to Evaluation: Core Concepts and Methods provides an overview of the field and steps in undertaking evaluation projects.
This follow-up introductory course provides guidance on good practices in field data collection and analysis.
With AI techniques increasingly being used for data synthesis, a very important part of the evaluation process relates to collecting and analysing high-quality data that help to address key evaluation questions.
This training provides an overview of key data collection techniques that are routinely used by evaluators, before focusing more deeply on interviews/focus groups and surveys.
Guidance is provided about planning, conduct, data collection and using this data in compelling ways via infographics and associated presentations.
This workshop is aimed at those who are relatively new or intermediate in the evaluation field, but is open to all evaluators who would like to learn new and innovative techniques

Workshop Content

The workshop offers various exercises relating to:

• Conducting interviews

• Survey design

• Sharing informational visually

Workshop Objectives 

The ambition of the workshop is to build capability in key evaluation techniques and to provide time for practical application in a low-risk setting.

It aims to improve participants’ familiarity with different data collection options. It aims to support the collection and use of robust primary datasets.

What is the MEL Introductory Concepts and Skills Intensive series? 

Part of the MEL Introductory Concepts and Skills Intensive series, Introduction to Evaluation: Core Concepts and Methods and Introduction to Evaluation 2: Data Collection Essentials are designed to be taken together as a comprehensive learning experience. The first workshop introduces participants to the fundamental principles and approaches of evaluation, while the second builds on this foundation with a practical focus on effective data collection. Together, they offer a dynamic and immersive pathway to developing the core knowledge and applied skills needed for real-world monitoring, evaluation, and learning practice.

PL competencies

This workshop aligns with competencies in the AES Evaluator’s Professional Learning Competency Framework. The identified domains are:

• Domain 5 – Project management

• Domain 6 – Interpersonal skills

• Domain 7 – Evaluation Activities

Who should attend?

• Participants with an interest in learning about and testing different evaluation data collection approaches in a ‘safe to fail’ environment

• New or intermediate evaluators wishing to develop their skillsets

• Non-evaluators seeking to develop their research skillsets through evaluation.

Workshop start times

• VIC, NSW, ACT, TAS, QLD: 9.30am

• SA, NT: 9.00am

• WA: 7.30am

• New Zealand: 11.30pm

For other time zones please go to https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

About the facilitator

Charlie is a public sector evaluation and public policy consultant. Since mid-2008, he has worked in small, medium, and large consulting firms. He founded Policy Performance in February 2018 to support public sector policy development, implementation and evaluation.

Charlie started his career on the Victorian public service graduate program in 2004, then worked for the Department of Premier and Cabinet for four and a half years, providing policy advice in the areas of infrastructure, intergovernmental relations, economic development, tourism, major events, sport and recreation, and innovation.

Since turning to consulting, he has completed evaluation and reform projects across many portfolios, including Indigenous affairs, education and training (early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary), industry/economic development, intergovernmental relations, community services, emergency services, out-of-home care, grants administration, sport and recreation, regional development and justice/corrections.

Charlie completed a Master of Evaluation in 2014 and was a tutor in Impact Evaluation at the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Program Evaluation between 2015-18. He was an online facilitator for Oxford University’s Evidence in Public Policy leadership short course in 2020. He was an AES Board member between 2020 and 2022.