aes24 International Evaluation Conference

Authors: Claire Grealy (Rooftop Social ),Duncan Rintoul (Rooftop Social, AU),Virginia Poggio (Paul Ramsay Foundation, AU),Luciana Campello (NSW Department of Communities and Justice, AU),Kirsty Burow (NSW Department of Communities and Justice, AU),Jacqueline Webb (National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN), AU)

The evaluation of grant programs has long frustrated grantees and perplexed fund managers.
Evaluators often arrive at the end, and may find a strong narrative about the funded activity (assuming the project staff are still in place) but less of the documentation and data that demonstrates the impact or learning, or shows the link between each project to the fund objectives.

Fund managers have often had to be content with the limited results available to them, sometimes as basic as acquittals on activity and expenditure. This limits funders' ability to capture learning, feed into new fund designs, mount budget bids, or tell a compelling story about the work grant holders are doing.

This panel brings together a cross-section of key players and beneficiaries from a variety of contexts:
* a state government fund manager in the human services sector
* an evaluation lead from a large national philanthropic organisation
* an experienced project manager from a national NGO that receives grants from various sources
* two evaluation specialists who have deep experience working in this space, developing and delivering this kind of support.

Drawing on case studies from practice, this panel will share some innovative approaches from their work, which bring the right mix of expectation and support to the design stage of grant-based projects, from the time of submitting an EOI through to the point of evaluation readiness.

The fruit that hangs off this tree includes:
* strengthening the 'evaluability' of each project and the overall fund
* testing each project's assumptions and ambitions
* deep conversations between grant makes and grant holders about outcome alignment
* building the evaluative thinking and capability of project teams and organisations, activating the 'ripple effect' as participants share their newfound commitment and skills with their colleagues.
"You couldn't drag me to program logic workshop before this. And now look at me - I took that process you did with us and yesterday I ran it with my team on another project."

Authors: Samantha Abbato (Visual Insights People )

The psychology of evaluation capacity building: Finding the way with the rider, elephant and the pathway
Evaluation capacity building is increasingly becoming a core part of evaluation practice and a critical part of incorporating evaluation into the everyday activity of organisations (Preskill and Boyle, 2008, White, Percy and Small, 2018). Reaching the point where evaluation becomes the way of doing business requires a change of knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Changes need to happen at the level of individuals, teams, organisations, and partnerships. This journey requires supporting and managing change to systematic enquiry processes as much as it requires evaluation expertise. In this skill-building session, we introduce Jonathan Haidt's 'rider, elephant and pathway' metaphor as a framework to support change and strengthen evaluation capacity (Haidt, 2018).

Haidt's metaphor for change includes the rider (our rational thinking side) atop an elephant (our emotional side). Behaviour change for individuals and collectives requires steps that (1) support the rider, such as giving clear directions, (2) motivate the elephant by tapping into emotions, and (3) shape a pathway to change, including clearing obstacles. In this interactive session, the facilitator will provide case studies applying Haidt's metaphor,spanning two decades Through these examples the power of this framework to support evaluation capacity building is demonstrated. Examples include using Haidt's framework for:
1. Building a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system with a medium-sized community organisation;
2. Increasing the maturity of MEL in an existing large organisation; and
3. Increasing the impact of evaluation partnerships.

The active skill-building component incorporates:_

• Cartoon elephant, rider and pathway flashcards;
• A 'snakes and ladders' style game; and
• Evaluation-specific examples.

The combination of examples and activities are designed to support participant learning. The session will encourage discussion of barriers, enablers and actions to build evaluation capacity relevant to different situations and contexts.

Learning objectives include:

• Knowledge of a sound and memorable psychological framework for supporting evaluation capacity building;
• Ability to apply Haidt's metaphor

Authors: Eugenia Marembo

Representatives of First Nations communities have been advocating for changes in the way initiatives are planned, prioritised, and assessed. This includes greater visibility on where funding is going, more partnerships on designing initiatives and more evaluation on the outcomes being achieved, to inform government decision making.

This paper presents key insights on what constitutes good practice when designing and appraising initiatives that affect First Nations people and communities. The National Agreement on Closing the Gap is built around four new Priority Reforms that will change the way governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. Priority Reform Three is about transforming government institutions and organisations. As part of this Priority Reform, parties commit to systemic and structural transformation of mainstream government organisations to improve accountability, and to respond to the needs of First Nations people.

The findings presented in this paper draw on insights from consultations with various First Nations community representatives and government stakeholders in New South Wales, and the subsequent process of developing a government department's First Nations investment framework which seeks to strengthen the evidence on what works to improve outcome for First Nations people. Additionally, the frameworks to improve practice across government processes and better inform how initiatives are designed, prioritised and funded.

Authors: Caroline Crothers (Allen + Clarke Consulting)

A collaborative effort between community organisations and Victoria Police has demonstrated significant impact in addressing youth offending in Victoria's northwest metropolitan region. This initiative brought together 12 partner organisations from various sectors, including police, legal services, and youth support services around the shared goal of reducing youth offending. By diverting young offenders from the criminal justice system, the initiative seeks to enhance overall justice, health, and wellbeing outcomes for vulnerable youth. Allen + Clarke was commissioned to evaluate the success of this initiative during its inaugural year. In this presentation, we share key lessons learned from the evaluation including how minimally resourced and small-scale interventions can have an outsized impact on organisational change to culture and practice. We also reflect on the journey embarked upon and explore how the evaluation process itself serves as a tool for navigating through complex challenges and adapting to changes encountered along the way. Through critical reflection, the presentation delves into the differing perspectives of the delivery partners involved highlighting how the evaluation journey facilitates a shared understanding of the path forward and shaping future strategies and interventions.

Authors: Skye Trudgett (she/her) - Kowa, AU, Katie Stubley (she/her) - Griffith University, AU, Terri Reid (she/her), Chloe Wegener(she/her), Banok Rind (she/her), Sophie Spry (she/her), Niamh Kealy (she/her)- Wiyi Yani U Thangani Institute for First Nations Gender Justice, AU

Measurement and data does not need to be all about numbers—it is about our heart and spirits, it is about voice, story, emotion—it is about truth. Numbers can tell us all sorts of lies, Wiyi Yani U Thangani is and always has been about—your voice—what you are saying about your lives, how you see your future and what matters to you.' June Oscar AO, Chair of Wiyi Yani U Thangani Institute.
Quantitative data often dominate measurement and evaluation, yet true understanding requires tapping into the heart and spirit of communities. As June Oscar AO poignantly reminds us, it is the voice, story, emotion, and truth that bring depth to data. This session at the AES conference offers a hands-on experience that transcends traditional data collection, engaging participants in co-creating collaborative Impact Yarns through deep listening, yarning, and creative expression.
Join us in a dynamic workshop where sculpture and artwork become powerful tools for storytelling and knowledge sharing. Participants will learn to capture the nuanced experiences of First Nations communities, reflecting on how these creative practices can reveal the interconnectedness of our lives and contribute to systemic change. By integrating Indigenous methodologies, we will collectively explore the rich, qualitative data that emerges from individuals' lived realities and aspirations.
As we craft and shape our narratives, we will reflect on how these stories can inform and transform policies and initiatives. This immersive session is not just about creating art; it is about embodying the principles of gender justice and equality, respecting cultural heritage, and acknowledging the diverse ways communities envision their future.
Experience the power of collaborative creation, where every word spoken, and every form sculpted enriches our collective understanding of impact. This workshop is an invitation to step away from the spreadsheet and into a space where every voice contributes to a tapestry of change. Come, let us shape a more empathetic and embracing approach to measurement—one that values the stories and truths of all peoples. truths of all peoples.

Authors: Ayesha Boyce (Arizona State University), Aileen Reid (UNC Greensboro, US)

Evaluation can be positioned as a social, cultural, and political force to address issues of inequity. We co-direct a 'lab' that provides new evaluators with hands-on applied research and evaluation experience to support their professional development. We are proud of our social justice commitments, and they show up in all aspects of our work. We believe the next generation of evaluators must be trained and mentored in high-quality technical, strengths-based, interpersonal, contextual, social justice-oriented, and values-engaged evaluation. We have found that novice evaluators are able to engage culturally responsive approaches to evaluation at the conceptual level, but have difficulty translating theoretical constructs into practice. This paper presentation builds upon our experiences and previous work of introducing a framework for teaching culturally responsive approaches to evaluation (Boyce & Chouinard, 2017) and a non-course-based, real-world-focused, adaptable training model (Reid, Boyce, et al., 2023). We will discuss how we have taught new evaluators three formal and informal methodologies that have helped them align their values with praxis. Drawing from our work across multiple United States National Science Foundation-funded projects we will overview how the incorporation of photovoice methodology, just-in-time feedback, and reflective practice have supported our commitments to meaningfully, and respectfully attend to issues of culture, race, diversity, power, inclusion, and equity in evaluation. We will also discuss our thoughts on the implications of globalization, Artificial Intelligence, and shifting politics on evaluation capacity building and training of new evaluators.

Authors: Kathryn Erskine (Cube Group), Michael Maher (Cube Group, AU)

The session is intended to provide a practical example of how a traditional program evaluation was re-orientated to allow the application of findings to inform broader system transformation. This echoes current discourse in evaluation - particularly since the global pandemic - whereby traditional notions about how the field of evaluation is viewed and developed are being challenged (Ofir, Z. 2021). Specifically, there are calls to rethink and elevate evaluation practice to actively contribute to and support systems transformation (see Dart 2023; Norman 2021), beyond a narrow programmatic focus.

This session will illuminate this discussion by examining a mental health program evaluation in the context of significant service reform across the Victorian mental health system. The presentation will outline insights and techniques about how to lift and reconfigure a tightly defined program evaluation into one which can have broader application to the system ecosphere. It outlines how and why the pivot was made; changes we made to the methodology and the key benefits that arose from taking an expansive view of the sector in which the program operated within.

The design of the session will be a presentation format supported by a PowerPoint slide deck, comprising:
•    Introduction and purpose of session
•    Overview of the program we evaluated
•    Key challenges which required an evaluation 'pivot' - and how we worked with our client
•    Key changes made to the methodology
•    Key benefits from elevating from a programmatic to systems focus.

Authors: Matt Healey (First Person Consulting)

The Design and Evaluation Special Interest Group (DESIG) was established in 2017. Its primary aim has been to explore the intersection of evaluation and design, and that aim has been interpreted in different ways over time. In 2024, the DESIG identified an opportunity to take the SIG model in a slightly different direction, embarking on an innovative venture with the launch of the Evaluation Lab, an initiative aimed at talk into action, and taking evaluators through a design process to address evaluation challenges.
Drawing inspiration from the concept of 'living labs,' which serve as real-world testing grounds, the Evaluation Lab created a space where evaluation professionals could come together. Employing a design-thinking process, the Lab guided participants through a structured expedition of defining, ideating, and prototyping solutions to tackle nominated challenges. Participants also learned pitch skills to communicate their solutions.
This Big Room Session provides an opportunity for the DESIG to outline the Evaluation Lab model, capped off with participants presenting their solutions through rapid-fire pitches, either live or pre-recorded, akin to explorers sharing tales of new lands discovered. The session's innovative twist lies in the audience's role, acting as both audience and judges. The audience will vote on their favourite solution, and be involved in crowing the first AES Evaluation Lab winner.
By blending lecture-style content with dynamic team presentations and active audience engagement, the Big Room Session not only highlights the critical role of design in navigating evaluation challenges but also demonstrates the practical application of these methodologies in charting a course through real-world problems.

Authors: Allan Mua Illingworth (Mua'akia Consulting and Insight Pasifika) Fiona Fandim (Pacific Community (SPC), FJ), Eroni Wavu (MEL Officer for Pacific Women Lead at Pacific Community (SPC) and cofounder of the Fiji Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Community), Mereani Rokotuibau (Balance of Power Program, FJ) and Chris Roche (La Trobe University),

In recent years there have been a number of Pacific driven initiatives designed to promote monitoring and evaluation practice which is culturally and contextually appropriate. These have occurred with projects and programs as well as at national and regional levels. At the same time geo-political interest in the Pacific region has resulted in an increased number of bi and multilateral donor agencies becoming present in the region and/or funding development programs, local organisations, national governments and regional bodies. This has in turn led to an evaluation landscape where notions of 'international best practice' as well as donor policies and practices and associated international researcher and consulting companies, risk crowding out emergent Pacific led evaluation initiatives.

This panel will bring together key participants who are leading four examples of these Pacific experiences: the Rebbilib process initiated by the Pacific Community (SPC ), Insight Pasifika (an emerging Pacific led and owned collective focused on evaluation in the first instance): the Fiji Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Community and the Balance of Power program (a Pacific-led initiative, supported by the Australian Government, focused improving the political, social and economic opportunities for women and girls) each of whom are seeking to create space for processes of monitoring, evaluation and learning which are consistent with Pacific ways of knowing and being. They will share their experience, the challenges they face and ideas about what forms of support might be provided by international donors, consultants and advisors which are enabling rather than undermining.

Moderated by Prof. Chris Roche the panel and audience will also draw out the lessons from these four cases about what might contribute to more systemic change in the evaluation landscape more generally.

Authors: Skye Trudgett (Kowa), Rachel Kerry (CAGES Foundation, AU)

The philanthropic sector has long grappled with power imbalances inherent in funding relationships, particularly in the context of support for First Nations communities. This panel session explores a groundbreaking Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) approach that inverts traditional power structures, placing First Nations communities in the driver's seat to assess the adherence of a leading philanthropic organisation to their stated values and principles.

Drawing from the collaborative efforts of one foundation and its MEL partner, this session showcases a MEL model that exemplifies shared power and mutual accountability. The panel will consist of thought leaders from the philanthropic sector, First Nations community representatives, and MEL experts who have been at the forefront of developing and implementing this innovative approach.

Through a facilitated discussion, panellists will delve into the process of co-creating a MEL framework that empowers communities to evaluate the performance of philanthropists against a set of mutually agreed-upon criteria. This approach ensures that philanthropic actions align with community expectations, cultural protocols, and contribute to genuine and sustainable impact.

Attendees will gain insights into the challenges and successes of operationalising this community-centric MEL method. The session aims to inspire other philanthropic entities to reflect on their practices and adopt similar approaches that truly shift power to First Nations communities.

Authors: Candice Butler (Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak ),Michelle McIntyre (Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak, AU),John Prince (JKP Consulting, AU)

There is increasing recognition that evaluations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs must be culturally safe and appropriate, and represent the worldviews, priorities, and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the cultural knowledge and cultural authority to design appropriate evaluations that are safe, and that tell the true story of the impacts of our ways of working.

As a peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations we wanted to ensure that the worldviews and perspectives of our members and communities are embedded in any evaluations of services delivered by our member organisations. This is a necessary step towards building an evidence base for our ways of working, developed by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. To that end we developed an evaluation framework to enable self-determination and data sovereignty in evaluation, and to build capacity among our member organisations to undertake and/or commission culturally grounded evaluations. Culturally grounded evaluations are led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and guided by our worldviews and knowledge systems - our ways of knowing, being and doing.

This paper reports on the development and implementation process used in the project and describes the standards and principles which underpin the framework. An example of how the framework is being applied in practice is also outlined. Our principles for evaluation describe the core values which underpin culturally grounded and safe evaluation including self-determination; cultural authority; truth-telling; two-way learning; and holistic approaches. The evaluation standards and associated elements operationalise our principles and embed them in evaluative practice.