Presidential Strand Discussion Sessions

This strand features discussion style sessions ranging from think tanks to World Cafes in which the larger group is divided into small groups of 4 or 5 people for multiple rounds of intimate conversation focused on questions of importance. The sessions encourage participants to share their evaluation examples and create their own visionary evaluation for supporting a sustainable, equitable future relevant to the context in which they work. These sessions provide special opportunities to network and build new relationships with other conference attendees.  

Each session includes attention to one or more the three areas of emphasis in the conference theme: systems thinking, building relationships, and equitable and sustainable living.

The conversations prepare you to be an active participant in the closing plenary about how AEA can support visionary evaluation for a sustainable, equitable future for all.

If you prefer presentation style sessions followed by questions and answer, check out the Presidential Strand Presentation Sessions.

Visit the AEA Agenda Search for full descriptions of each presidential strand.

Wednesday, October 15

4:30-6:00 p.m.
Realizing the Vision: What Helps and Hinders the Use of Systems Ideas in Evaluation… Voices from the Global Field

6:15-7:00 p.m.
Evaluation's Role in Advancing Educational Transformation in a Global Society 

Thursday, October 16

8:00-9:30 a.m.
Evaluation's Role in Visioning Sustainability

11:00-11:45 a.m.
Involving youth voice in the American Evaluation Association

1:00-1:45 p.m.
Evaluating the Role of Business in Creating Equitable and Sustainable Social Impact Part 1

2:00-2:45 p.m.
Evaluating the Role of Business in Creating Equitable and Sustainable Social Impact (must attend Part 1)

3:00-4:30 p.m.
Mindful Evaluation: Cultivating our Ability to Focus, Discern, and Think Big

4:45-6:15 p.m.
Tools and Frameworks for Evaluating Community Coalitions

Friday, October 17

8:00-9:30 a.m.
Program Theory, Program Design, and Program Culture: Toward a More Integrated Evaluation Practice

11:00-11:45 a.m.
Assessing Adaptive Capacity for a Sustainable, Equitable Future

1:45-3:15 p.m.
Building Relationships Between New and Experienced Evaluators: The Importance of Evaluator Competencies

3:30-4:15 p.m.
Creating Equitable and Sustainable Communities: A Systems & Collective Approach to Evaluating Place-Based Initiatives Part 1

4:30-5:15 p.m.
Creating Equitable and Sustainable Communities: A Systems & Collective Approach to Evaluating Place-Based Initiatives 5094 Part 2 (Must attend part 1)

5:30-6:15 p.m.
Evaluator Competencies Listening Post

Saturday, October 18

8:00-9:30 a.m.
Evaluation Story Harvest: using storytelling as a Visionary strategy for collective learning  

9:45-11:15 a.m.
What is Earth Sustainability? Evaluating common understandings