In this episode we explore what it means to be a fox or a hedgehog in evaluation, and how AI is reshaping the way we think, judge and practise with Dr Bianca Montrosse-Moorhead.

What happens when we move from authority to authenticity in suicide prevention? Dr Maria Michail joins us to explore how systems thinking and lived experience can reshape how we respond to complex challenges.

A reflective conversation exploring what “co-design” really means — beyond the buzzword — unpacking its shades, challenges, and purpose in creating more genuine, systems-minded collaboration.

Join Matt, Tenille and Todd Miller who argues effective emergency management is relational, and should be built on trusting relationships between people, organisations, and communities before disasters strike.

Matt and Tenille talk with Associate Professor Emily Gates about her journey into evaluation, the limits of outcomes-focused approaches, and how systems thinking can reshape how we understand, practice, and evaluate change.

And just like that the 2025 Australian Evaluation Society Conference comes to a close! Matt and Tenille quickly debrief on the day, but most importantly we hear some thoughts and reflections from the delegates on what they took from the day - the Conference as a whole! Also, here is the evaluation report that Jo Farmer completed that Tenille discussed. Shout out to all those clients that publish such great examples for others to learn from. If you haven't listened to Day 1 or Day 2's episodes (6.1 and 6.2) make sure to check that out first and then come back! Thanks for listening to the It Depends Podcast! You can find out more about First Person Consullting on our website, follow us on LinkedIn, or sign up to our semi-regular newsletter.  

Day 2 of the 2025 Australian Evaluation Society Conference is done and dusted! Matt and Tenille debrief on the walk back to their hotel and we hear some thoughts from some of the delegates on what they took from the day. Also, here is Bobby Maher's paper that Tenille referenced in the episode on defining collective capability If you haven't listened to Day 1's episode (6.1) make sure to check that out first and then come back! Thanks for listening to the It Depends Podcast! You can find out more about First Person Consullting on our website, follow us on LinkedIn, or sign up to our semi-regular newsletter.  

Coming to you from Canberra, Matt and Tenille summarise their key takeaways from the first day of the Australian Evaluation Society Conference in Canberra. This is the first of a three-part series covering each day.    If you haven't been able to make the Conference this is a chance to keep up with the latest thinking - as best we can - or if you are here, it's a chance to get our take on some of the key messages.   Thanks for listening to the It Depends Podcast! You can find out more about First Person Consullting on our website, follow us on LinkedIn, or sign up to our semi-regular newsletter.

Julian King joins us to unpack his Value for Investment approach, moving beyond cost–benefit analysis to redefine how we understand value in evaluation.

Matt and evaluation pioneer John Gargani explore how design and evaluation intertwine, and why scaling impact means more than just growth—it’s about context, ethics, and making things better.

Tenille Moselen speaks with Dr. Skye Trudgett, CEO of Kowa, about the meaning, myths, and real-world practice of Indigenous data sovereignty—and the small but powerful changes that can shift systems.

Join Matt and Tenille for an exclusive behind-the-scenes chat with Kim Grey and Ruth Nicholls, the dynamic duo co-convening the 2025 Australian Evaluation Conference in Canberra. Discover what's in store when the evaluation community gathers from 15-19 September under the theme "Beyond the Bubble." Kim and Ruth take us through their thinking on why 'Beyond the Bubble' was the right theme, some background on the exciting lineup of international keynote speakers, and some sneak peaks into the sessions they're excited to see. We explore the four conference sub-themes - Foundations, Connecting, Cultivating, and Transforming. Listen to hear why the conference isn't just about methods - it's about relationships. Whether you're seasoned or new to the field, Kim and Ruth share why the magic of evaluation conferences lies in the unexpected connections, the corridor conversations, and the chance to see familiar approaches used in completely new ways.  See the Conference Program and register: https://www.aes25.aes.asn.au/ Learn more about the Australian Evaluation Society, including how to become a member, their professional development program, and more: https://www.aes.asn.au/   Thanks for listening to the It Depends Podcast! You can find out more about First Person Consullting on our website, follow us on LinkedIn, or sign up to our semi-regular newsletter.

In this debut episode of It Depends Podcast, co-hosts Matt Healey and Tenille Moselen dive into the murky middle of evaluation practice—where complexity thrives, answers are rarely black and white, and good questions matter more than quick fixes. They’re joined by Eleanor Williams, Managing Director of the Australian Centre for Evaluation, for a wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation on evidence, ethics, and embedding evaluation in the heart of public policy. Together, they explore: What makes evidence fit for purpose—especially in fast-paced policy environments The importance of meaningful relationships between evaluators and commissioners The role and realities of quasi-experimental design in the public sector Thinking around everyday ethical dilemmas evaluators face. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the tension between rigour, relevance, and real-world constraints. It’s honest, nuanced, and full of insight. Some of the resources mentioned in the episode are linked below: The Australian Centre for Evaluation homepage, and specifically the Commonwealth Evaluation Toolkit Relational Commissioning blog post by Eleanor Williams and Skye Trudgett The UK Government’s Magenta Book – see including Annex A on different methods for use in evaluations The webpage with more on the Australian Public Sector Evaluation Network (APSEN). Thanks for listening to the It Depends Podcast! You can find out more about First Person Consullting on our website, follow us on LinkedIn, or sign up to our semi-regular newsletter.