Invitation to submit a proposal

You are invited to submit a proposal for the aes25 International Evaluation Conference, centred on the theme 'Beyond the Bubble'.

This theme challenges the evaluation community to transcend traditional boundaries by embracing diverse perspectives, fostering innovation, and contributing to a more just and equitable future. We invite proposals that delve into the following sub-themes:

FOUNDATIONS: Strengthening evaluation theories, methodologies, tools, and techniques by integrating diverse knowledge systems and worldviews.

CONNECTING: Enhancing networks and relationships through participatory, people-centered approaches, Indigenous evaluation, systems thinking, and place-based methodologies.

CULTIVATING: Growing the profession by celebrating diversity, building evaluation capacity, and expanding knowledge translation.

TRANSFORMING: Embracing ethical use of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, while exploring adaptive leadership, innovation, and learning.

The aes25 conference will be held in-person on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country in Canberra, Australia. Join us to share, network, and learn about advancements in evaluation and related fields across Australia, New Zealand, the Australasian region, and the world. We welcome submissions for conference presentations and pre-conference workshops that align with these sub-themes. Your contributions will play a pivotal role in advancing evaluation and fostering a more inclusive and innovative community. Submit your proposals and be part of a transformative journey at aes25.

By submitting a proposal, you agree that all presenters will attend the conference in person and deliver their presentations face-to-face..

**Conference presentation proposals**
Submission deadline:
**12 March 2025**
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES SUBMISSION PORTAL

**Conference workshop proposals**
Submission deadline:
**27 February 2025**
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES SUBMISSION PORTAL

**Reviewing proposals**
Expressions of interest to review conference proposals / Ignite presentations close **12 March 2025**
MORE INFO

Face-to-face conference

It is a condition of making a proposal that you agree that all proposal presenters will be attending the conference in-person and that all presentations will be delivered face-to-face. Delegates will be able to network with colleagues in person.

CONFERENCE
Wednesday 17 to Friday 19 September 2025

CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS 
Monday 15 & Tuesday 16 September 2025

VENUE
National Convention Centre Canberra
More info at https://nccc.com.au

Submission deadlines

Conference workshop proposals	27 February 2025
Conference presentation proposals	12 March 2025

It is your responsibility to meet these deadlines. The Australian Evaluation Society cannot be held responsible for errors caused by internet service outages, hardware or software delays, power outages or unforeseen events.

Conference and workshop presenters will be notified of acceptance during May 2025.

Advice and assistance

For advice regarding scope, content or structure of proposals contact the conference program chair via email at: aes25@aes.asn.au (mark 'ATT: Program Chair').

For advice on the submission process, please contact the Australian Evaluation Society, email: aes25@aes.asn.au

Submission conditions

The 2025 conference is being held face-to-face in Canberra, Australia and all presenters are required to be present in-person for their presentation (that is, hybrid or virtual presentations will not be accepted).

All conference presenters must register, and pay, for at least the day they are presenting (and every other day they are attending the conference).
To ensure that an accepted presentation (and its abstract) is included in the final program at least one presenter must register by 7 July 2025.
All presenters must be registered by 28 July 2025.
There is an expectation that presentations will substantially match the description in the submitted abstract.
All abstracts must be prepared accordance to the guidelines provided. Incomplete or incorrect submissions will be rejected.
If the abstract is selected, consent is provided for the presentation slides (for oral presenters); video; audio recording and photos taken during the oral presentation to be used and published following the conference by Australian Evaluation Society unless permission is withdrawn within 14 days of the conference closing.
If the abstract is selected presenters are required to ensure that all aspects of their presentation, including language, visuals, and content, are respectful, culturally sensitive, and inclusive. Presentations should not contain language, imagery, or messaging that could be considered discriminatory, offensive, or harmful to any individual or group based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, or cultural background. Submission of your abstract/s implies you have read, understood and comply with these conditions.
The person submitting the abstract should be the nominated main contact of your abstract. All correspondence relating to the submission will be directed to this person, and they should in turn distribute to any other co-presenters.
Should your proposal be accepted you must immediately inform the organisers of any change of, or withdrawal, of presenters.
The AES reserves the right to remove presentations from the program where substantial changes have been made to the original presenter roster.
If you are submitting more than one abstract a separate submission must be made for each one.

Note: Agreement to this requirement is a condition of submitting a conference presentation proposal.

First Nations Peoples of Australia focused presentations

In line with the AES First Nations Cultural Safety Framework, we are committed to supporting Australian First Nations Peoples to strengthen and build their evaluation capacity at aes25 and action our commitment to culturally safe evaluation theory, practice and use. The AES strongly encourages Australian First Nations-focused presentations and papers to be delivered by and with Australian First Nations people wherever possible. We encourage non-Indigenous presenters to refer to the AES First Nations Cultural Safety Framework to guide you when writing your submission, and include this in your justification statement.

We honour and celebrate Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing in evaluation; and welcome Australian First Nations evaluators to share their voices and perspectives at aes25.

DOWNLOAD THE FRAMEWORK

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

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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 2025 conference, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri 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: Keisha Leon, Cause/Affect | Site design: Ingrid Ciotti, Studio 673