Call for proposals is now open

You are invited to submit a proposal for a conference presentation and pre-conference workshop presentation.

Make the most of the destination!

There are so many things to do in the Top End! Extend your visit before / after the conference.

Explore options

Sponsor and/or support aes26

Your chance to shine at aes26 – boost your visibility, find out more about opportunities.

Learn more

CONFERENCE THEME

Making space, valuing place

'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.

Traditions and new ways

How different ways of knowing, being and valuing fit different contexts. Exploring when and how to use a range of approaches including, as examples, community-based practices, artificial intelligence and value for money.

Ethics and integrity

Ethical evaluation, respecting the values of all, shifting power dynamics, marginalisation and inclusion, equitable opportunity, integrating different languages and cultures, acknowledging failures in evaluation and sharing lessons learned.

Boundaries and bridges

Reflecting on what makes evaluation distinct from other fields and exploring connections within and beyond the evaluation ecosystem, fostering partnerships and interdisciplinary learnings.

Roots and routes

Communicating the value of evaluation, how we ensure evaluation is useful to a range of audiences and decision makers, staying relevant in a post-truth world, how we stay grounded as evaluators, how we grow evaluation and learn together.

I left re-energised, part of a community of practice, not just a conference.

aes25 attendee

Darwin & the Top End

Explore the many vibrant Asian food and night markets, enjoy an open-air movie on a balmy night, or relax on a sunset cruise. Get to know the rich local Indigenous culture, evident through the vibrant art that fills the city's galleries, museums and streets. Darwin is also the perfect gateway to exploring the Top End with an exciting offering of day-trips or an extended visit to the region.

Image courtesy Mindil Beach Sunset Markets

VENUE: Darwin Convention Centre

Meet the keynote speakers

We are excited to announce Dr Robyn Ober and Professor Bagele Chilisa as keynote speakers for aes26. Additional keynote speakers will be confirmed shortly.

Robyn Ober

Lead Researcher and Educator, Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education

Bagele Chilisa

Professor of the Post Graduate Research and Evaluation Programme, University of Botswana

Showcase your expertise and boost brand visibility by sponsoring aes26

EXPLORE OPTIONS

Australian Evaluation Society
425 Smith Street, Fitzroy Vic 3065 Australia
Phone +61 3 8685 9906

JOIN THE MAILING LIST

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 2026 conference, the Larrakia peoples. We pay our respects to the ancestors and Elders, past and present, of all Australia’s Indigenous peoples. 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.

Conference logo design: Cyan Sue Lee | Site design: Ingrid Ciotti