The American Journal of Evaluation (AJE) publishes original papers about the methods, theory, and practice of evaluation. The general goal of AJE is to present the best work in and about evaluation, in order to improve the knowledge base and practice of its readers. Because the field of evaluation is diverse, with different intellectual traditions, approaches to practice, and domains of application, the papers published in AJE will reflect this diversity. Nevertheless, preference is given to papers that are likely to be of interest to a wide range of evaluators and that are written to be accessible to most readers.
As the official journal of AEA, Members have complementary access to all current and past issues. Each issue includes sourced articles from peers, book reviews, and method insights. AEA members may opt to receive quarterly new issues of New Directions for Evaluation and the American Journal of Evaluation in hardcopy for approximately $10 extra for 12 months for the two journals.
Access the AJE online and archive issues (you will be required to log in if you have not already done so)
The incoming Co-Editors are inviting expressions of interest from scholars and practitioners who want to contribute to the journal's future. They seek to recruit an editorial team that reflects the breadth of the evaluation field across methodological approaches, substantive areas of practice, geographic contexts, and career stages. Both returning editorial team members and individuals new to AJE editorial service are encouraged to apply.
The following roles are available, all of which involve working in partnership with the Co-Editors-in-Chief and supporting AJE's scholarly excellence and contributions to the evaluation field. The positions are intended to begin January 1, 2027, and continue through December 31, 2029 (3-year appointments).
Learn more about these positions and how to apply.
All manuscripts should be submitted online. If you have questions or are uncertain about the appropriateness of possible submissions, they are welcome to contact the relevant section editor (see Contribution Categories) or to contact the AJE Editors, Laura Peck and Rodney Hopson, via email at AJE.EditorialTeam@gmail.com.
Term 2027 - 2029
Stephanie A. Dopson, ScD, MPH, MSW, currently serves as an Associate Editor for AJE and is a Senior Health Scientist in the Division of Emergency Operations at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where she has implemented and conducted complex scientific studies and practice. Stephanie has worked on numerous high-visibility emergency responses in the field and provided leadership in large and small emergency responses, including Operation Allies Welcome, Mpox, Marburg, and Ebola. She is Chair of the CDC Institutional Review Board, providing senior-level scientific leadership and guidance for compliance and adherence to protocols for the conduct of research in human subjects.
Dana J. Linnell, PhD, currently serves as an Associate Editor for AJE and previously served as Co-Section Editor for the Method Notes section. She is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Stout Polytechnic, where her scholarship focuses on research on evaluation, open science, and evaluator education. A recipient of AEA's 2023 Marcia Guttentag Promising New Evaluator Award, she has also guest edited two special issues of New Directions for Evaluation, co-chaired AEA's Conference Advisory Working Group, and founded the AEA Student Evaluation Case Competition.
Shannon Hitchcock, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist at Abt Global, where she leads and advises evaluations for federal health agencies. Her expertise spans evaluation design, quantitative methods, data systems, implementation research, and translating evidence into practice across a range of public health initiatives.