AES Alert: 5 August2026 |
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Dear Visitor, There are just 40 days until aes26 begins in Darwin | Garramilla Country! This Alert brings plenty of conference news, including the upcoming launch of the aes26 app, the full program and social events, and the latest addition to our keynote line-up, Emmanuel Jimenez. Tomorrow, Professor Bagele Chilisa will present our free online pre-conference keynote seminar, Making Space, Valuing Place: The 21st Century Evaluation Paradigms Challenge. We also invite members to help shape the future of the AES, with nominations for three Board Director positions open until Friday 14 August. Read on for the latest workshops, seminars, employment opportunities and news from across the evaluation community. A reminder that AES members receive access to seminar materials and recordings via their member profile. Visit the members-only section to explore highlights from this year’s seminars so far. Stay connected! Make sure you continue receiving the latest news and opportunities, take a moment to check that your member details are up to date. Login and update your details. |
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Could you help shape the future of the AES?
Nominations are now open for three Board Director positions, each for a two-year term commencing after the November 2026 AGM. We’re seeking strategic thinkers with the skills, vision, time and commitment to contribute to the governance and strategic direction of the AES. Eligible voting members are encouraged to consider this rewarding leadership and professional development opportunity. All eligible members have been emailed the nomination information and forms - please check your inbox or contact the AES office if you would like them resent. Nominations close at 4.00 pm AEST on Friday 14 August 2026. |
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| aes26 Update - 40 days until aes26 kicks off in Darwin
- The aes26 app is being launched later this week. A big thank you to Bellberry for sponsorsing the app.
- New Keynote speaker: Emmanuel Jimenez, Director General, Independent Evaluation Department of the Asian Development Bank
- Meet our exciting keynote speakers.
- Social program is online
- Program is online!
- 184 speakers
- 120 presentations
- 76.5 hours of content (4,590 minutes)
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How does the commissioning of evaluations shape the evaluation process and its outcomes? AES Fellows are exploring how commissioning practices affect evaluation and invite you to contribute by: responding to the AES Blog; completing a survey and participating in commissioning sessions at the aes26 International Evaluation Conference in Darwin. AES members will receive access to the seminar recording in their member profile. You're also welcome to email the AES Fellows directly with your reflections on any of the following questions: - Best and worst commissioning process
- As a commissioner: Do you get the evidence you need from evaluations through the commissioning process?
- As an evaluator: Do commissioning models facilitate or inhibit how well you undertake an evaluation?
- As an evaluation recipient: How do commissioning decisions impact on you and your colleagues and participants?
Your insights will help inform future improvements to evaluation practice. |
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August 2026 October 2026 November 2026 November Workshops: MEL Introductory Concepts and Skills Intensive December 2026 | |
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The Of Interest section of the AES Alert includes information from international evaluation societies as well as upcoming events and other articles that may be of interest to our members and wider evaluation community. There is no charge to be included. Please send content to aes@aes.asn.au by Tuesday lunchtime. Your article should include a short blurb and any relevant links. Note that we don't include images or upload documents. Note that the AES reserves the right to refuse publication if we don't judge that your copy is of interest to members of the AES. Member notices are given preference. |
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The evaluation toolkit: an introductory workshop series on evaluation Greg Masters of Nexus Management Consulting will deliver this practical, hands-on program comprising four half-day workshops over four consecutive weeks. The program will develop your understanding and skills in program evaluation and includes real-life case studies and opportunities to apply the learning to your work. You will walk away with: - draft logic models
- evaluation plan templates
- a completed case study used across all four workshops.
Who should attend? emerging evaluators people in government and non-government organisations working in evaluation units program and policy managers moving into evaluation commissioners of evaluations.
The next workshop series commences on Wednesday 19 August (10.00 am-1.00pm AEST) and runs at the same time for the following three Wednesdays. The fee for AES members is $1,200 for the workshops, a 20% discount on the standard fee of $1,500.For more information and registration: https://nexusmc.com.au/evaluation-toolkit/ or contact Greg Masters at gmasters@nexusmc.com. |
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New international editions of Australian evaluation texts by AES Fellow & Life member, Yoland Wadsworth, have been published by Routledge London. Do It Yourself Social Research and Everyday Evaluation on the Run have both been popular best-selling texts demystifying research and evaluation, and Human Inquiry for Living Systems: Building in Research and Evaluation for Life identifies how to achieve systems change using iterative 'full cycle' evaluative inquiry processes. All three books have never been out of print. Now revised as an anniversary box set trilogy, they provide a comprehensive framework incorporating all the major forms of research and evaluation using a logic in which each takes their part in 'full cycle inquiry’ from existing practice to change for improvement and its testing in new practice. Michael Quinn Patton’s tribute to globally launch the trilogy as a coherent magnum opus is here. More about the books (and a 25% discount for the set) here. |
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Tracing Impact: A hands-on introduction to Ripple Effects Mapping
with First Person Consulting Every program triggers changes that can be hard to pre-determine, but we also know that those immediate changes don't stop there. These changes can lead to cascading effects far into the future or effects disproportionate to the initiating event. Ripple Effects Mapping is a participatory, group-based method for bringing them to the surface – well established overseas, but only now making its way into Australian practice. This one-day workshop will leave you with the skills and capabilities to design and implement REM, and have a bunch of fun while you are doing it. The session is in-person only in Melbourne, with two date options: Wednesday 21 October or Thursday 19 November 2026.
On sale until 31 July: $295 incl. GST (usually $350). Register here → https://www.fpconsulting.com.au/store/p19/ripple-effects-mapping-training.html |
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Listen: The It Depends Podcast with Matt Healey Looking for a podcast that tackles questions without straightforward answers? Welcome to The It Depends Podcast, hosted by Matt Healey from First Person Consulting. In each episode, Matt and his guests explore the tricky, nuanced world of evaluation, systems thinking and change, design, and complexity. It's your go-to source for thoughtful conversations, practical insights, and comfort in embracing uncertainty.
Browse summaries of every episode in the Podcast Library, or find and follow The It Depends Podcast on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Discover why the best answer to tricky questions often starts with "it depends…". |
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Iris Ethics HREC opens for applications
Following successful registration with the NHMRC, Iris Ethics has opened its Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) for submissions, making it the first privately operated, open access HREC to focus solely on the evaluation, market research, and social research sectors. The committee is chaired by Professor Chris Maylea, an experienced social researcher and legal scholar, and includes people from all over Australia representing a range of lived and professional experiences and includes practicing evaluators. This ensures that reviews are completed quickly with an understanding of the research purpose and methodologies used, and that the committee can act as a trusted advisor and partner. Iris Ethics also delivers rapid reviews for lower risk evaluation projects and produces a growing library of resources to support ethical evaluation practice.
One year in, Iris Ethics expands resources for users In the almost one year since Iris Ethics opened for business, the company has produced more than 50 free resources for researchers and reviewers navigating the often complex field of human research ethical reviews. Now those resources are easier than ever for users to find, with a new menu creating a streamlined user experience (https://www.irisethics.com.au/). |
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Upcoming Clear Horizon Academy offerings
People rarely change through training alone, so we offer a mix of applied learning alongside peers, coaching and on-demand resources. AES members receive 15% off with the code "AES15". Build confidence and skills in MEL with Clear Horizon Academy. Complete Guide to Measurement, Evaluation and Learning (MEL)
(7 August, paced over 17 weeks)
This course takes you across the full cycle, from theory of change to measurement, evaluation design and communicating impact, helping you strengthen the fundamentals and build a MEL plan, with tools and templates ready to use.➡ Learn more Evaluating Place-based Approaches
(2 October, paced over 6 weeks)
Learn to evaluate place-based change with confidence in this intermediate course, packed with practical tools for tracking progress, collective measurement, phase-appropriate MEL design and centring community voice.➡ Learn more Evaluating Systems Transformation: Live Methods Masterclass
(14 October, 2.5-hours)
Join Jess Dart for a hands-on live masterclass exploring four practical tools for tracking change in complex systems, with a curated resource pack to take away. Limited places.➡ Learn more Personalised support to boost your learning
When you hit a MEL challenge, coaching gives you real-time, one-on-one support from an expert who gets it, helping you work through a tricky problem or take your next step with confidence. Book a session when you need it. |
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AES Blog
| We want to hear from you! What is interesting you in the world of evaluation? Have you attended an AES event recently and are keen to share what you learned? Please refer to the Guidelines for what and how to submit to the AES blog and if you have any questions, please email the team at blog@aes.asn.au. Check out the the latest AES blogs by clicking here.
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Job Vacancies | Employers looking to fill positions in program monitoring and evaluation and performance measurement can list their job vacancies on the AES website. This service is available to members and non-members for a small fee. Discover the benefits of advertising on the AES website as recruiters and for applicants. Local and overseas opportunities are listed throughout the year and are also included in the AES Alert e-newsletter. |
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Consultants Directory | The AES often receives enquiries looking for evaluators with specific areas of expertise. These enquiries are directed to the online searchable Consultants' Directory. As well as being 'discovered' by potential customers, consultants in the directory also enjoy receiving early advice on any call for Evaluation services tenders. AES members can be listed in the Consultants' Directory for a small fee. Log into the AES website and access the form here. |
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Logging On to Member Only areas of the new AES website | Members can now remain logged into the AES website rather than log in each time - simply click on the 'Remember me' box when loggin in. If you have forgotten your username and password, please email us at aes@aes.asn.au. |
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Become an AES member | Do you work as an evaluator, commission evaluation work, manage evaluation projects, are an academic teaching and conducting research, a tertiary level student or even a professional interested in evaluation and performance measurement? Are you interested in developing your knowledge and skills across evaluation theory, methods and practice while networking with other professionals involved in similar work? Then you will benefit from joining the AES. Click here for more information and to apply to join. |
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| We acknowledge the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands in which we conduct our business. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present. The Australian Evaluation Society is committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society. |
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