aes22 International Evaluation Conference

Eleanor Williams (Victorian Department of Health), George Argyrous (University of Technology Sydney)

Evidence-based policy making is held up by many as the goal for governments everywhere with the premise that decisions and investments should be made on the basis of 'what works'. Evaluation, as an evidence source seeking to answer questions of effectiveness and efficiency of policies and programs, is well-placed to contribute to the process but is valued to varying degrees depending on the context. Evaluation must compete with a range of influencing sources of information like population surveys, social media analysis, input from service users and expert advisers.

This debate will explore the role that evaluation should play in evidence-based policy by presenting both sides of the question should evaluation be the central source of evidence for government decision-making? The presenters will discuss the challenges that face evaluators if evaluation is to be a central source of evidence and alternatively if it is not to be a central source of evidence.
This debate-style presentation seeks to situate evaluation as part of the broader government policy-making process and weave the specific concept of evaluation into the broader context of evidence utilisation. Panellists will bring multiple perspectives including those of government decision-makers and academics responsible for generating high quality evaluation evidence for decision-making. The moderator will bring experience relevant to both sides of the debate and will work actively to engage audience participation in the topic.

The session will start with the two presenters setting out the case for each side, before inviting the audience to make their own contributions to the debate and concluding with a vote from session participants for which position has been most compelling.