Name: Meeting new challenges with better theories of change
Start: 2026-09-17T16:00:00+0930
End: 2026-09-17T17:00:00+0930

Presenter and chair information page, resources for conference presenters, authors and session chairs.

Meeting new challenges with better theories of change

Thursday September 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm ACST

Hall 2

Authors: Patricia Rogers, Footprint Evaluation Initiative, Emil Laurberg Morgensen, University of Southern Denmark
Theories of change are now commonly used to design initiatives, including projects, programs and policies, and to shape monitoring and evaluation. But 40 years after first being showcased at an AES conference, these are often developed and used in ways that don’t fit what is needed, especially to support adaptation across different settings and in changing contexts. This session will present common mistakes, what they are, why they matter, and examples of better strategies. Participants will engage with exercises to identify issues, try out strategies and explore possible applications in their own work and in shaping organisational requirements and procedures.

Chair

Zoe Enticott

Principal Consultant, Clear Horizon

An evaluator and facilitator working for social impact, I'm passionate about developmental, collaborative and trauma informed approaches that elevate the voices of people and communities. Over the past 10-years I have worked across the government, not-for-profit and community sectors... Read More →

Speakers

Patricia Rogers

Consultant, Independent advisor and consultant

Founder of BetterEvaluation and former Professor of Public Sector Evaluation at RMIT University. Now working as consultant and advisor. Co-author (with Sue Funnell) of the book Purposeful Program Theory: Effective Use of Theories of Change and Logic Models, currently being revised... Read More →