‍‍AES Alert: 14 October 2026 |
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‍Dear Visitor, There’s plenty happening across the AES community! In this edition, meet our latest AES Voices, have your say on the future of AES through our Member Survey and Quality Evaluation consultation, and explore our new Policy Talks series. You'll also find upcoming workshops, events, job opportunities and news from across the evaluation community. And one for the diary: save the date for the 2026 AES Annual General Meeting, to be held online on 11 November, when our new Board will be announced and new Directors will commence their two-year terms. 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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‍AES Voices | Meet Emily and Piper From finding your people to discovering new opportunities, Emily Saurman and Piper Normoyle share how AES has supported their professional journeys. Emily reflects on the power of community and making a difference through evaluation, while Piper shares how connection and mentoring have enriched her practice. Read their stories and catch up on more AES Voices |
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| | ‍Six years. A lot has changed. Have your say! It's been six years since we last asked our members, at this scale, what matters to them. AES has changed, evaluation has changed, and our membership has changed. Now we want to hear from you. What do you value about AES? What could we do better? What do you need from your professional community? Whether you're actively involved or haven't connected with us for a while, your voice matters. Your feedback will help shape the future of AES. Takes 15 minutes | Closes 30 October 2026 Complete the AES Member Survey Because membership matters. And so does your voice. #AESMembershipMatters |
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| | Developing an agreed position on Quality Evaluation that Makes a Difference is an important priority under the AES Strategy. A project team has been progressing this work through a review of existing definitions and the broader evaluation literature, initial consultation with AES committees, and an interactive session at the recent AES Conference. We are now seeking broader input from AES members and would love to hear from you: Your input will help shape an AES statement on Quality Evaluation that Makes a Difference, for consideration by the AES Board in March 2027. It is important that the statement reflects the views and experience of our members, so we encourage you to have your say! |
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‍Introducing Policy Talks! A new monthly series from AES Policy Officer Carina Calzoni, sharing observations, ideas and questions from the world of policy. In the first edition, Carina explores what makes a good monitoring and evaluation framework. How much detail is enough? Is it better to start small and adapt rather than create a rigid plan that rarely gets used? What does a good monitoring and evaluation framework look like? Read the first Policy Talks blog here → https://www.aes.asn.au/aes-blog/what-does-a-good-monitoring-and-evaluation-framework-look-like |
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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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‍Evidence in Action: lessons from evaluation and behavioural insights Join the Australian Centre for Evaluation (ACE) and Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government (BETA) on 5 November 2026 for an afternoon exploring how evaluation and behavioural insights can contribute to better public policy. The hybrid event will bring together senior leaders, policymakers, practitioners and researchers to share practical lessons from across government and Australian and international perspectives on using evidence to inform policy design, implementation and decision-making. Speakers include Professor Dean Karlan and senior Australian public sector leaders. Thursday 5 November, 1.30–5.00 pm | Canberra and online Register for Evidence in Action |
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‍Grosvenor’s free M&E tea events are back in October! Register now for your spot to gain insights on two great new topics and connect with other evaluators in your area. Grosvenor is again running its free Monitoring and Evaluation afternoon tea events across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide this October. These free half-day events open up professional development for resource-strapped for-purpose organisations to attend, learn about new topics and meet other like-minded evaluation professionals. Session 1 is No more terrible meetings! Soft skills to elevate your presence and efficacy as an evaluator. This session will cover how evaluators navigate the tricky interpersonal situations they encounter, like that consult that went badly, or that meeting with the executive that bombed, or the important decision that got deferred again, because these skills are just as important to have in your toolkit as evaluation methods. Following afternoon tea session 2 is How to put your program in the best light for budget bids – effective evaluation planning and program design for success. This session will cover how to maximise your program’s chances of being funded while minimising stress and effort in the business case development process; and provide guidance on program design that enhances the likelihood that intended outcomes will actually be delivered on. Register for the Brisbane event on 21 October through the Grosvenor website here: https://www.grosvenor.com.au/monitoring-evaluation-afternoon-tea-october2026/ If you can’t make these locations or times pop your details through the form and we may be able to deliver a digital version later in the year. |
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‍Evaluation professionals are invited to take part in a short anonymous survey exploring how evaluators decide whether to use - or not use - generative AI in their practice. You don’t need to use AI regularly to participate. A wide range of experiences and perspectives are encouraged, including concerns about AI and decisions not to use it. The survey takes approximately 10–20 minutes and is being conducted as part of a research study led by Dr Craig Leth Steensen at Carleton University, Canada. Complete the survey and share your perspective on generative AI in evaluation. Survey link: https://carletonu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6VHUV7g8eoG256e
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FOUNDATIONS OF EVALUATION WORKSHOP SERIES Start building your evaluation toolkit! Greg Masters of Nexus will be delivering this practical on program comprising four half-day workshops over consecutive weeks. The program will develop your skills in program evaluation and includes case studies and opportunities to apply the learning to your own work. You will walk away with: draft logic models evaluation plan templates evaluation terms of reference templates  a completed case study used across all four workshops.
Who should attend? Those wishing to build their foundation evaluation skills including: The next series commences Wednesday November 11 (10.00 am-1.00pm AEST) and runs at the same time for the following three Wednesdays (November 18, 25 & December 2). The fee for AES members is $1,200, a 20% discount off the standard fee of $1,500. More information?  Or contact Greg 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.Â
AES members can get a discount. Use the code AES15 at check-out for 15% off! $297.50 incl. GST (usually $350). Register here → https://www.fpconsulting.com.au/store/p19/ripple-effects-mapping-training.html |
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Listen: aes26 wraps up in Darwin on The It Depends Podcast aes26 has wrapped up in Darwin, and you can catch up on the conference with Matt Healey from First Person Consulting on The It Depends Podcast. Across three daily episodes, Matt shares his reflections and hears from delegates about the ideas and questions they’re taking home. The Day 3 episode includes the Great Debate recorded in full, so whether you missed the conference or want to hear it all again, you can feel like you were there in the room too. Explore the conference episodes in our Podcast Library, or listen and follow on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. |
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‍Iris Ethics HREC opens for applicationsÂ
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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Clear Horizon Academy offerings Build the MEL skills you need to turn evidence into better decisions and stronger outcomes. Clear Horizon Academy offers practical learning for every stage, from core foundations to advanced practice, with peer learning, expert coaching and flexible on-demand resources. AES members receive 15% off with the code “AES15”. 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.➡ Learn more Increasing Impact through Learning (13 November, 3 weeks)
Unlock new perspectives on strategic learning and communications to better leverage your measurement, evaluation and learning insights. ➡ Learn more AI Masterclass Series (25 November and 10 February, 2x 2-hour sessions)
Join us for two practical sessions on Human-Centred AI Essentials and Build your AI Assistant for Evaluation led by Ethel Karskens. Book today to secure your place. What’s Emerging? Conversations on systems transformation with Jess Dart and Emily Gates (Three-part webinar series November – January)
Each session starts with a provocation and unfolds through conversation, reflection and shared sense-making to explore the ideas Jess and Emily are wrestling with, the patterns they're noticing, and the questions they believe matter for the future of evaluating systems transformation. ➡ Register here |
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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.Â
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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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