Date and time: Tuesday 14 July, 1.00pm-2.00pm AEST
Topic: Ethical decision making in evaluations: what we're learning and what we don't know (yet) 
Presenter: Emma Williams | Charles Darwin University
Venue: Via Zoom. Details will be emailed to registrants just prior to the start time.
Register online by: 13 July 2026

Event description:

There is a vast literature on how people should make ethical decisions, but far less on how ethical decisions are actually made in practice. The same is true of evaluation - internationally, numerous codes, standards and guidelines exist to support evaluators in understanding their ethical responsibilities. Yet there is limited evidence on how effective these resources are in helping evaluators navigate everyday ethical challenges, particularly those not directly related to research or that arise unexpectedly in the field.

Emma Williams's research, with preliminary findings presented here, examines both the intentions of those who develop ethical guidelines and the decision-making processes of practising evaluators. Using realist Q methodology, Emma's work reveals that AES members adopt distinct ethical decision-making styles. She will also discuss the most critical information gaps in evaluation ethics and how they might be addressed.

About the AES Ethics in Evaluation SIG:

The Ethics in Evaluation Special Interest Group (SIG) offers a collegial space for evaluators to connect, reflect and learn together about the ethical dimensions of our practice. The SIG is not intended to provide case by case advice or resolve individual ethical dilemmas, but to rather function as a community for shared learning, broader ethical inquiry, and strengthening our collective understanding of what ethical evaluation looks like in an evolving context.

Any AES member with an interest in evaluation ethics is warmly welcome. Whether you’re an experienced evaluator, new to the profession, a commissioner, a researcher, or simply curious, you are invited to join our community. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Presenter details:

Emma Williams has spent many years moving between academia, public service and private practice. She is a Credentialed Evaluator with experience in realist, observational and participatory evaluations on topics such as throughcare, service access, employment, littering, urban and international development. She has also commissioned evaluations, been involved in updating AES ethics documents, and currently works on a part-time casual basis at Iris Ethics. She was a member of the RREALI (Realist Research, Evaluation and Learning Initiative) team at Charles Darwin University, and is now researching evaluation ethics for a PhD, using realist Q investigation methodology.

This seminar will be recorded and available on the member portal only.

This free event has been organised by the AES Ethics in Evaluation SIG. Our seminar series provides an opportunity for you to meet with AES members and others in the evaluation community and to share and learn from the experiences of fellow evaluators. 

Session start times:

• VIC, NSW, QLD, ACT, TAS: 1.00pm

• SA, NT: 12.30pm

• WA: 11.00am

• New Zealand: 3.00pm

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

Please ensure you have access to your email address just prior to the start time to access Zoom details. Please also check your email address is correct on your registration form before submitting. Thanks.