As we wrap up the year, here’s a quick update on the work underway to implement the Australian Evaluation Society’s (AES) Strategic Plan 2024–2028. The strategy focusses on four domains and is being delivered through four strategic Board advisory committees, each supported by project teams and staff. This is the first year implementing the new strategy. Most projects are still in their early stages, but the foundations are now in place, ready for a big year in 2026!
- Culture (First Nations Committee)
Conference Support Grant (CSG) Alumni Group is a project designed to connect and support First Nations evaluators beyond their initial grant experience, strengthening the relationships, knowledge sharing, and confidence in First Nations-led, culturally safe evaluation practice.
This project is led by Jamie-Lee Wagner, a 2024 CSG recipient, who is continuing to develop the Alumni Group’s approach and program of events, and is in the process of developing an engagement plan for 2026 Darwin AES International Evaluation Conference to ensure alumni voices are heard and valued, and shape future First Nations initiatives.
- Leadership (Policy Committee)
Quality Evaluation that Makes a Difference is a priority project that supports the development of a member-informed policy position statement and practical guidance to strengthen sector-wide understanding of what quality evaluation that makes a difference looks like and how to achieve it. The project was launched at the aes25 Conference through an interactive session, followed by a strong response to the EOI. A diverse project team has formed and is developing a workplan for 2026.
In addition, a new project is taking shape: an AES Position on AI in Evaluation. This work will explore how AI is influencing evaluation practice and identify the ethical and methodological guidance members may need. Early planning has begun, with an EOI planned for early 2026.
Looking ahead, the Committee has also identified future projects for 2026–27, including stakeholder mapping, policy gap analysis and trend monitoring.
- Pathways (Pathways Committee)
The Professionalisation project — aims to explore what professional pathways could look like for evaluators and the benefits to members and how AES might support them. The project team has reviewed previous AES professionalisation work, begun a horizon scan, is reviewing professionalisation models from comparable organisations, and preparing for member engagement in 2026.
The Ethical Guidelines Update project aims to review and update AES ethics documents, so they remain current, culturally safe and fit for purpose. To date the team has co-designed a “Principles Charter” to align with the First Nations Cultural Safety Framework and begun gathering insights to inform the next phase of work.
The Competency Framework project is scheduled to commence mid 2026 and will involve AES’s competencies to reflect contemporary evaluation practice.
- Vitality (Vitality Committee)
The combined Member Value Proposition (MVP) and Member Engagement Strategy project is underway to strengthen the AES’s approach to member value, connection and retention. It is being developed in partnership with an external membership specialist and includes mapping the member journey, developing practical attraction and retention strategies. Regional convenors participated in workshops and provided key insights into what members value and how the organisation can deepen engagement across the regions. A draft MVP and engagement strategy will be presented to the Board in early 2026.
A huge thank you to every committee, project team and volunteer contributing to this work. These early steps are laying strong foundations for the years ahead and strengthening AES’s role in supporting evaluative practice across Australia.
The AES is looking forward to continuing this momentum in 2026.