aes26 International Evaluation Conference: Full Schedule

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

2:30pm ACST

Epistemic Justice: victim survivors of child sexual abuse as co-evaluators

Wednesday September 16, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm ACST

Authors: Nic Vogelpoel (Day Four Projects), Malika Reese (Lived Experience Advisor), Angela Obradovic (National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse)

What happens when evaluation is not just informed by lived experience, but led by it?

This presentation offers a rare, practice-based account of a lived experience-led evaluation undertaken with the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse, where victim survivors worked as co-evaluators across all stages of the process. Established to centre victim survivors in awareness-raising, help-seeking, advocacy and best-practice responses, the Centre provided a powerful context to rethink how evaluation knowledge is produced, and by whom.

The session argues that lived experience-led evaluation is not an ethical “add-on”, but a fundamental shift in values, power and epistemology. Drawing on the evaluation findings, presenters will explore three core propositions.

First, nothing about us without us: moving from evaluation on people to evaluation led by people with lived experience reshapes evaluation questions, evidence, outcomes and definitions of rigour. Second, epistemic justice: lived experience leadership challenges entrenched assumptions about who gets to ask questions, whose knowledge counts, and how institutions respond to new forms of evidence. Third, beyond advice to synthesis: lived experience cannot simply “advise” evaluation, it must be integrated as a distinct way of knowing that transforms the whole evaluation.

Co-presented by lived experience evaluators and Day Four Projects evaluators, the session will combine reflective storytelling, concrete practice examples and facilitated dialogue. Participants will be invited to critically examine their own evaluative assumptions, engage in small-group reflection, and explore practical strategies for making space for multiple knowledge systems while maintaining evaluative integrity and meeting institutional requirements.This session will be particularly valuable for evaluators, commissioners, researchers and practitioners seeking more just, credible and impactful approaches to lived-experience evaluation in complex and sensitive contexts.

Chair

Anona Armstrong

Director Research, Victoria University

Professor Anona Armstrong AM is Director of Research and Research Training, Professor of Governance and Head of the Governance Research Program in the College of Law and Justice, Victoria University. She was Foundation President, and is a Life Member and Fellow of the Australasian... Read More →

Speakers

Nic Vogelpoel

Director, Day Four Projects

We specialise in the theory and practice of good collaboration. We have a particular interest in learning and evaluation for partnerships, platforms and collaborative initiatives. We work with international and domestic partners from multilateral organisations, governments, NGOs... Read More →

Malika Reese

Lived Experience Advisor

Talk to me about Lived Experience awareness, consultation and healing. Talk to me about helping your organisation be more trauma informed.

Angela Obradovic

National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse

Angela has been actively involved with the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse for the past 3 years, committed to improving how lived experience can inform prevention of CSA and responses to Adult Survivors of CSA. With 30 years of experience across social work and mental... Read More →

Wednesday September 16, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm ACST
Waterfront 1 Stokes Hill Rd, Darwin City NT, Australia

Boundaries and bridges

Format Long paper
Audience Level Advanced, Intermediate
Industry Not for profit Philanthropy, Health and disability, Community and social services, Public administration and safety, Education and training
ID 45

aes26 International Evaluation Conference

2:30pm ACST

Anona Armstrong

Nic Vogelpoel

Malika Reese

Angela Obradovic

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