Annual International Evaluation Conference - Australian Evaluation Society

The annual AES International Evaluation Conference brings together evaluators from around the world. Presentations include keynote addresses by well-known and thought-provoking national and international evaluators and more than 100 breakout sessions. The three-day conference is accompanied by a two-day workshop program.

Next up: aes26 Darwin | 14–18 September

The theme 'Making space, valuing place' invites us to engage with the diverse perspectives and contexts that shape how we approach and use evaluations.

We are making space for multiple disciplines, methodologies and worldviews to foster collaborative learning and shared understanding. By valuing place, we will honour Indigenous values and listen to the voices of our region from across Australia, the Asia Pacific and beyond. This is an opportunity to explore the breadth and depth of the evaluation ecosystem – welcoming evaluators, community leaders, funders, researchers, policymakers, data analysts, economists, implementation scientists, social scientists, international development specialists, educators, learning specialists, practitioners, and people with lived experience.

aes26 website

About the conference

Each year, the conference is held in a different Australian host city and convened by a dedicated local AES conference committee. The committee identifies a theme for the plenaries and the more than 100 concurrent presentations.

The conference offers a mix of formal and interactive presentations, panel discussions and skill building workshops. Presentations cater for all levels, from evaluators just starting out to the very experienced.

Delegates have plenty of opportunity to network. A highlight is the Awards Gala where new Fellows of the AES and the AES Awards for Excellence in Evaluation winners are announced.

Upcoming conferences

2026 Darwin: 14–18 September

Conference News

First Nations Peoples of Australia focussed presentations

In line with the AES First Nations Cultural Safety Framework, we are committed to strengthening and building First Nation peoples’ evaluation capacity in culturally safe evaluation theory, practice and use. At aes23 we are encouraging and strongly supporting First Nations Peoples of Australia-focused presentations and papers to be delivered by and with Australian First Nations people wherever possible.

Conference support grants for emerging Indigenous evaluators

Each year AES is pleased to invite applications from emerging Indigenous evaluators from across the Australasian and Pacific region for support to participate in the AES Annual International Conference.

Supporting local Indigenous designers

The aes23 conference logo has been designed by Brisbane based Indigenous designer Keisha Thomason.

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. We are 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.