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CALL FOR PROPOSALS
2025 EERS Conference
CENTERING VISION AND VALUES IN EVALUATION

We are happy to announce that the theme for the Eastern Evaluation Research Society’s 2025 Annual Conference (#EERS25) is: Centering Vision and Values in Evaluation. The conference will take place virtually on Thursday, May 1 and Friday, May 2, 2025. A description of the conference theme can be found here.

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We invite you to submit a proposal to present at the 2025 EERS Annual Conference. 

 All proposals are due by January 7, 2025 at 5pm Eastern time. 

Proposal Requirements

All proposals need to include the following: 

  • A synopsis (a 300 character summary of your presentation that will be used exactly as submitted in the conference program and online session listings); 

  • An abstract (a 2,000 character maximum description of your presentation); 

  • A list of all speakers for your proposed session; 

  • A 300 character description linking your proposal to the conference theme; and

  • The selection of one presentation format that best suits your proposal and content. Note: if you select the Wild Card or the new Bridging 2025 and 2026: Two-Year Sessions format you will be asked to describe your anticipated presentation format. 

Presentation Formats

The presentation formats for EERS 2025 are: 

  • Individual Presentations - these are 20-minute presentations by a single speaker on a topic of your choice. An additional 10 minutes will be reserved for audience questions. (Total session length: 30 minutes.) 

  • Student Presentations - are similar to individual presentations but are reserved for single undergraduate or graduate students. The content should include presentations on evaluation methods and/or findings of projects for which the student has had substantial responsibility and involvement.These are 20 minute presentations with an additional 10 minutes reserved for audience questions. (Total session length: 30 minutes.)

  • Panel Presentations - these consist of three or more individuals presenting on a single topic or common topics. This may or may not include a moderator or discussants. All panels will be 60 minutes long (including audience questions). Panels cannot have more than 5 individuals (including all presenters, authors, moderators, and discussants). 

  • Skill-Building Sessions - these are 30 or 60-minute sessions that are designed to teach a specific skill or demonstrate a specific approach to audience members. You will be asked to identify the specific skill(s) and methods/approaches you will use in your session. Skill-building sessions can include a maximum of 3 speakers/presenters. 

  • Wild Card Sessions - these are sessions that do not fit into any of the above categories or formats. Wild Card Sessions can be 30 or 60 minutes in length. The only limitation to Wild Card Sessions is that they cannot include more than 12 speakers/presenters/authors. 

  • (New!) Bridging 2025 and 2026: Two-Year Sessions - these unique presentations span two consecutive conferences, connecting to the themes of both years as appropriate to the session style. Abstracts should include a detailed plan for the Year 1 (2025) presentation, along with an initial concept or structure for the Year 2 (2026) follow-up session. Selected proposals will automatically be included in the Year 2 (2026) conference program, with an expectation that presenters register for both conferences. As a benefit, presenters will receive Early Bird pricing for the 2026 conference. For more information about this format, see below.

2-Year Sessions: A Closer Look

What is this? These presentations cover two consecutive conferences and should relate to both conferences themes as appropriate to the session style. Abstracts should detail the year 1 (2025)  presentations with a loose concept or structure of year 2 (2026) follow-up session. 

 

Why is this important/different? Evaluation takes time and space for reflection. Often times, conferences are a “in the moment” snap-shot of one’s work and ideas. This session proposal is a hope to return to the work and close the loop of a project, concept or discovery. We are interested to see how we as a community of practice grow and reflect - year after year. 

 

Who is this for? EVERYONE - Graduate students and new or emerging evaluators are particular encouraged to apply as a way to build a body of work and hold space for idea engagement. 

 

Stipulations of commitment: These proposals, if selected, will automatically be included for year 2 (2026) conference and are seen as commitment to register for both conferences. With this you will automatically granted Early Bird pricing for Year 2 (2026) conference.

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Session Styles:

  • Mirror Reflection: look at a topic with a more fine tuned connection to the theme of each conference. (approx. - 45 minutes)

  • Idea to Action: the space to present an idea and pose discussion with the second year being the presentation of what ended up happening. (Year 1: 5 -10 minute presentation, 15 minute discussion) (Year 2:  30 - 40minute)

Proposal Review

All proposals submitted to EERS undergo a blinded peer review process; each proposal is reviewed and independently rated by three reviewers.

 

If the same individual submits multiple proposals, it should be expected that only one proposal for which that individual is lead presenter will be selected for presentation at the conference. This is to ensure the maximum opportunity for participation from the evaluation community.

 

You will be asked to submit the necessary information by either typing it into the fields directly, or by copying and pasting from another source. Once you submit the information, you will receive an email confirming the receipt of your submission.

 

All proposals are due by January 7, 2025 at 5pm Eastern time. You will be notified in February of the status of your submission.

 

If you have any questions or concerns about your submission, please contact Program Co-Chairs: Lin Zhu (lzhu@eers.org) and Joy Pansari (jpansari@eers.org)

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