Evaluating collaborative initiatives: an introduction to core concepts, questions and approaches
Channel: Australian Evaluation Society
Date: 2022-09-30

Presenters: Cameron Willis, Nic Vogelpoel, Day Four Projects

Collaborative initiatives such as partnerships, alliances, networks and coalitions, are now well-established vehicles for creating positive social change. At the core of these initiatives are relationships among actors from various organizations, sectors, and jurisdictions – each with their own drivers and motivations. To date, much attention has been given to the ‘doing’ of collaborative work, with comparatively less attention focused on how they may be evaluated, reported on, and improved. Yet evaluating and learning about our collaborative efforts are central to building strong, vibrant and effective cross-sectoral initiatives. This seminar will introduce some of the core concepts of collaboration, key models of collaboration that can be used to better understand and describe these initiatives, and some of the different approaches that can be used to evaluate their structures, processes and outcomes. The seminar will draw on both theoretical and practical insights, and provide a broad overview of the factor requiring consideration when designing a collaboration-focused evaluation.

Dr Cameron Willis is a scholar and practitioner of collaborative practice, with a specialism in multisectoral platforms and partnerships for tackling complex problems. Cameron’s work explores the role and value of collaborative initiatives in a range of settings, including health and wellbeing, sustainable development, environmental protection and circular economy. He has worked to strengthen multi-sectoral collaborations in Australia, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia, and is a firm believer in the power of partnerships for creating change.

Dr Nicholas Vogelpoel is a leader in the design, implementation and evaluation of complex programs. Nic has particular interests and expertise in designing and implementing learning and evaluation systems for partnerships and platforms and over the past decade, he has been privileged to work with partnerships and programs focused on planetary health, global health. 

This event was organised & hosted by the Victorian Regional Network of the AES.