AEA's Spring 2026 Workshop Series
New this spring, grow your skills with AEA’s Spring 2026 Workshop Series—featuring 11 engaging virtual professional development workshops. Registrants will participate in 3- to 6-hour sessions designed to deepen knowledge of timely evaluation topics, learning directly from seasoned professionals with real-world expertise.
Evaluation Leadership Roundtable: Advancing the Role of Evaluation in Defending Democracy and Human Rights
As democratic institutions face increasing pressure worldwide, evaluators have a critical role to play in advancing evidence, accountability, and human rights. In collaboration with the African Evaluation Association and members of the International Task Force and the Democracy, Rights, Governance Topical Interest Group, this global roundtable explores how evaluation can respond to democratic erosion and the growing “polycrisis.” Join us to examine innovative approaches, tools, and strategies for strengthening democracy, rights, and governance across contexts
Register to join us.
Introducing the 2026 Evaluation Roadmap for a More Effective Government
This AEA Town Hall will introduce the updated Roadmap, walk through what changed from the 2019 version, and open a conversation about what it means for evaluation practice at every level of government. The 2026 version is built around five evaluation standards with concrete Guidance for Practice subsections applicable to evaluators and non-evaluators alike. It addresses the needs of federal, state, local, and Tribal governments explicitly throughout, adds new content on AI and emerging technology, and elevates ethics and inclusivity in its standards for practice. Altogether, with a sourced glossary and new resources, the updated Roadmap provides a shared vocabulary for practitioners, program managers, and policymakers to communicate the value of evaluation in government. Register to join us
In-Person DC Summer Workshop
"Cutting Through the Hype: A Practical Guide to Choosing Value-Aligned and High-Performance AI Tools"
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future consideration—it’s already shaping how policies are designed, programs are evaluated, and public value is delivered. AEA's Summer Workshop, happening Wednesday, June 24 in Washington, DC, will focus on practical frameworks for assessing AI tools based on performance, alignment with organizational values, risk, and real-world impact.
Expanding the Bench® (ETB) is hosting a free informational webinar for the Culturally Responsive and Equitable Evaluation (CREE) Learning Series
The CREE Learning Series provides an introductory overview of CREE for beginner-to-intermediate learners that outlines key principles and theory, importance in evaluation practice, and various aspects of its application. The series is hosted asynchronously on the Teachable platform through video content broken down into three sections that ground learners in the foundations of CREE, provide perspectives of CREE in practice, and make the case for CREE within your work. Registration for the CREE Learning Series is free for students, ACE Evaluation Network Members, LEEAD Program Alumni, Scholars, and Mentors, and ETB Pricing Model Subscribers.
AEA Members are eligible for 10% off of registration using the promo code: AEACREE@10
Registration for the CREE Learning Series is free for students. We also have a limited number of scholarships for evaluators who are in need of financial assistance. Scholarships are available on a first-come, first-serve basis upon availability.
If you are interested in learning more about the content and structure of the series, as well as how to register, we encourage you to register here and join us for the webinar. If you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, please contact us at team@expandingthebench.org.