Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are formal groups of members with a common interest in an aspect of evaluation. From time to time, the AES Board may consult a SIG on particular policy and strategic issues.
Each SIG is responsible for its own day-to-day management and sets up its own virtual meeting space. Members usually meet face-to-face at the annual conference.
What are the current SIGs?
The following SIGs are currently active. If you are interested in joining, contact the relevant Convenor(s).
Australian Public Sector Evaluation Network (APSEN) Special Interest Group (SIG) is an active community of practice for those working in public sector evaluation. The APSEN SIG aims to connect and support those facing similar contexts and challenges, address gaps in capability and capacity building and share resources to help build consistency in approaches to evaluation across the public sector in Australia. The APSEN SIG is open to public and non-public sector employees and Chaired by Amy Green.
For further information, email
The Design and Evaluation SIG provides a space for evaluators to explore the interface between systems thinking, design methodologies and evaluation through different events and learning opportunities.
For further information, email
The Ethics in Evaluation Special Interest Group (SIG) has been established to provide a community for evaluators and those involved in evaluation to connect, discuss, and support one another in relation to the ethical aspects of the work we do.
Recent research and engagement with Australian evaluation professionals has shown that we don’t always talk about ethical issues as much as we could. At times, evaluators and commissioners alike can be unsure where to go for support or how to navigate a tricky ethical situation. The Ethics in Evaluation SIG aims to create a space where these conversations can happen openly and constructively.
Through the SIG, members come together to:
• Learn about topics relevant to ethics in evaluation
• Share knowledge, experience, and perspectives
• Strengthen peer networks and mutual support
• Contribute to the development of resources and practical guidance over time
Anyone is welcome to join.
Events organised by the SIG are advertised through main AES channels including the AES newsletter. You do not need to be an active member of the SIG to attend an event. Upcoming events are listed at: https://www.aes.asn.au/evaluation-learning/professional-learning-events
If you would like to be an active member of the SIG and contribute to SIG activities, please contact the SIG Co-Chairs via
The Multicultural Evaluation Special Interest Group (MESIG) has been formed to enhance multicultural evaluation ideas, discussions, theories and practices; contribute to the AES’ thought leadership in equitable, inclusive, and responsive evaluation; provide a focus for sharing resources and learning across AES membership; and encourage greater diversity in the AES membership.
Our purpose is to:
- strengthen the capacity of AES members (new and experienced evaluators) to undertake evaluation that is responsive to the needs of many cultures and that contributes to equitable outcomes
- get multicultural considerations more strongly embedded in AES policy and strategy
- enable evaluation Communities of Practice that include and advance diverse voices
- enhance Multicultural Evaluation ideas, discussions, theories and practices, and
- provide a focus for sharing resources and learning about these topics with the broader AES membership.
MESIG members (core group):
Lena Etuk (Chair), Erin Blake, Eva Sarr, EeMun Chen, Yonas Dare, Katherine Dinh, Ali Rasoli, Amy Dellit, Elissa Mortimer, Mark Oliver
Anyone is welcome to join us. Please email us on
The Systems Evaluation SIG is focused on the benefits of systems concepts and systems thinking, and the alternative sciences of social complexity for designing and determining the value of any given policy, program, initiative, or intervention (PPII).
The vision of the SIG is for evaluators to be able to pivot between prevailing evaluation practices and those informed by the language, concepts and theories of systems thinking, and the fast growing sciences of social complexity for:
• describing PPIIs and the man-made and natural systems into which they are thrust
• understanding the organisational dynamics of public value organisations that commission and use evaluation
• claims about the value of any given PPII to include explicit consideration of the contextual dynamics in which it is situated.
We welcome the involvement of those in Australia as well as evaluators further abroad!
For any other enquiries please email
Chair: Brian Keogh
Committee: Julie Elliott, Andrew Hawkins, Kara Scally-Irvine
Interested in forming a new evaluation SIG?
SIGs may be created anew or grow from an existing informal discussion group. The formation of a new SIG is subject to a formal application process and requires approval by AES Board. Please contact the Chief Executive Officer, Bill Wallace, to discuss your idea and prior to any formal submission to the AES Board.