The American Evaluation Association is a professional association of evaluators devoted to the application and exploration of evaluation as a profession. We prioritize the advancement of evaluation best practices in multiple types of evaluation, including program evaluation, personnel evaluation, evaluation in education, evaluation in government, independent consulting, and more. AEA has approximately 6,000 members representing all 50 states in the United States as well as more than 80 foreign countries.
Evaluation involves assessing the strengths and weaknesses of programs, policies, personnel, products, and organizations to improve their effectiveness.
What Benefits Does AEA Offer?
AEA provides:
- Education opportunities including online courses and year-round programming
- Premiere events including our Annual Evaluation Conference and the more intimate annual Summer Evaluation Institute
- Historic publications and daily evaluation blog, AEA365
- Connection opportunities with a community of diverse national and international members
- Virtual Town Halls to connect with the AEA leadership and community
- Thought leadership opportunities through involvement and collaboration in the Topical Interest Groups
- Discount on publications through SAGE Publications
Topical Interest Groups (TIGs) are subgroups of the association comprised of members with common interests. TIGs may be formed around methodologies such as Needs Assessment, around work contexts such as Government Evaluation, around salient concerns such as Feminist Issues, or around professional status such as Independent Consultants. AEA currently supports 60+ TIGS in their pursuit evaluation best practices within their topic area.
AEA members who are actively involved in TIGs receive greater value out of their membership. The TIG community is valuable way to remain connected to topic, specialty, or methodology while working independently to improve programs. In addition, TIGs help the AEA education team build the Evaluation Conference schedule, giving TIGs real influence in the teaching of evaluation.