Hello! This is Elizabeth Grim, AEA365 Curator and sometimes blog contributor. I’m here to answer some of the top questions we receive about AEA365.
What is AEA365?
AEA365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association (AEA) and is a daily blog dedicated to highlighting Hot Tips, Cool Tricks, Rad Resources, and Lessons Learned for evaluators. You can find an archive of over 4,600 blog posts written by more than 2,500 contributors by vising the website, searchable by keywords and Topical Interest Groups.
When did AEA365 start?
AEA365 was conceptualized by AEA Executive Director Emeritus Susan Kistler and John LaVelle as a way to continue learning and discussion among the evaluation community between conferences, TIG groups, and association newsletters. AEA365 just celebrated its 13th birthday! The blog officially launched on January 1, 2010 with the goal of featuring a post a day from and for evaluators around the globe.
Who manages AEA365?
It takes a village to continue to make AEA365 a reality. Elizabeth (Liz) DiLuzio is the current Lead Curator and I (Elizabeth Grim) am a Curator. Originally, the blog was managed by Susan Kistler and John LaVelle, working tirelessly to fill the individual 365 slots per year. The list of curators and volunteers grew to include Michelle Baron, June Gothberg, Liz Zadnick, Sara Vaca, Samantha Grant, and of course Sheila B. Robinson who dedicated 8.5 years to curating AEA365.
Who writes for AEA365?
Anyone interested in evaluation can write for AEA365. This is a space to share new ideas, resources, or approaches regardless of how long you have been in the field. We welcome new and emerging evaluators, as well as established professionals.
Writing for AEA365 has become a highlight for many evaluators in our community. Because of this, we often fill the content calendar well in advance. To encourage equity, we reached out to all AEA TIGs and Affiliates in late 2022 asking who would like to sponsor a week in 2023. We are pleased to welcome many familiar and new contributors this year.
How can I write for AEA365?
Most of the content is through sponsored weeks. This is when Topical Interest Groups (TIGs), Local AEA Affiliates, and other evaluation groups sign up for a week during the year. Each group is then responsible for coordinating 7 blog posts for their week (one for each day of the week). We also reserve a few weeks a year for individual contributors so that a diverse group of voices can be featured, regardless of TIG or Affiliate membership.
If you are interested in contributing to the AEA365 blog, or want to recommend someone to contribute, please review the contribution guidelines and contact Elizabeth (Liz) DiLuzio, the lead AEA365 curator, at aea365@eval.org.
Are there spots still open for 2023?
Due to the popularity of AEA265, we only have 10 open themed weeks left in 2023 for TIGs, Affiliates, and other evaluation groups! If your group has been thinking about writing this year, be sure to reach out and let us know, so we can get you on the calendar.
We have also reserved opportunities open for individual authors to submit a blog outside the themed weeks. These individual posts are scheduled in the order that we receive them.
What content is posted on AEA365?
We welcome diverse perspectives with a focus on keeping AEA365 posts educational, rather than self-promotion. This allows us to continue the blog as an learning resource for the evaluation community.
Does AEA365 run any social media accounts?
AEA365 does not have any official social media accounts. Therefore, our Curators do not regularly schedule posts to go out through any AEA365-specific accounts. However, we encourage both authors and readers to comment on and share the posts to keep the dialogue and learning going.
How can I get AEA365 directly to my inbox?
This was probably our most popular question during 2022, when we experienced the breakdown of the email distribution system. We are excited to announce that AEA is in the process of onboarding a new system, so you can once again enjoy AEA365 in your email inbox every day. If you’ve been a subscriber, you will be automatically merged into the new system and do not need to do anything at this time. If you are a new subscriber, stay tuned for more details soon on how to register.
What else are you curious about AEA365? Let us know in the comments!
Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the aea365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an aea365 Tip? Please send a note of interest to aea365@eval.org . aea365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators. The views and opinions expressed on the AEA365 blog are solely those of the original authors and other contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the American Evaluation Association, and/or any/all contributors to this site.