Webinar: Introduction to Community Engaged Evaluation

Wednesday 26 August, 1-2pm AEST via Online

This webinar provides a practical introduction to evaluating community engagement initiatives. Using real-world examples, participants will explore what evaluation is, why it matters, and how it can help organisations understand and strengthen their work with communities. The session introduces simple tools such as program logic and theory of change to help participants plan evaluations, clarify intended outcomes, and collect meaningful data.

Learning outcomes 

• Define evaluation and distinguish between different approaches used in community and program contexts.
• Explain the value of evaluation for communities, including how it can support learning, accountability, and improved outcomes.
• Identify practical evaluation tools that can support community-engaged evaluation practice.

About the Speakers:
Dr Katie Blair – Research and Evaluation Manager, Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion, UTS 

Dr Katie Blair has extensive experience designing and managing evaluations, from complex state-wide government programs to local community initiatives. She specialises in collaborative frameworks, working seamlessly with diverse stakeholders, from government, academia, industry and community, to foster inclusive and equitable outcomes. Katie excels at embedding evaluation practices, developing innovative methodologies aligned with strategic goals, and building organisational capacity. Passionate about community empowerment, she brings a deep commitment to fostering shared decision-making and driving impactful, evidence-based solutions that respond to evolving community needs.

Hannah Morgan – Research and Evaluation Officer, Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion, UTS 

Hannah Morgan is a Social Worker and evaluator with over 15 years’ experience across health, government, community, and non-profit sectors. Hannah completed a Master of Evaluation, driven by a curiosity to understand how best to measure and demonstrate impact. Hannah’s evaluation work emphasises codesign, participatory research, and trauma-informed practice especially when working alongside marginalised communities. Hannah brings a strong social justice lens to evaluation, advocating that evaluation offers a way to demonstrate accountability, uplift community voices and increase ownership and use of evaluation findings.