Short Abstract

Discover how the M&E Hub turns evaluation into action—shaping policy, strengthening programmes, and building a culture of learning. Practical insights and real-world examples in government to make evidence matter.

Description

How do you move evaluation from the margins to the mainstream? At the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Hub has taken on this challenge head-on. Our work spans influencing policy, shaping programme delivery, and building a culture where evaluation is integral to decision-making.

This session will explore the Hub’s dual mission: (1) ensuring that policies most critical to our mission have robust and timely evaluation, and (2) embedding evaluation capability and culture across the department. We’ll share insights from our evaluation work packages, which prioritise high-impact projects and tackle questions that matter—such as the cumulative effect of policies on fuel poverty and the job impacts of energy interventions.

Through case studies, we’ll illustrate how evaluation has informed real-world decisions and has provided actionable recommendations for programme design and delivery. We’ll also highlight our role in shaping cross-government evaluation standards, drawing on resources like the Magenta and Aqua Books, and collaborating with the Evaluation Task Force to ensure consistency and quality.

Beyond influencing individual policies, the Hub champions continuous learning. We’ve introduced frameworks, training, and communities of practice to build capability and confidence in evaluation. By fostering partnerships internally and externally, we’re creating a networked approach to evidence generation - one that values innovation and methodological rigour. This includes promoting mixed-method evaluations, encouraging experimentation, and ensuring that findings are communicated in ways that drive action rather than gather dust.

Attendees will leave with practical lessons on how to leverage evaluation for action, strategies for embedding evaluation cultures, and inspiration from a team that’s proving small hubs can have big impact. Whether you’re in academia, local government, or the charity sector, this session offers insights into making evaluation a driver of change - not just a tick-box exercise.

Join us for a candid discussion on what works, what doesn’t, and what’s next for evaluation in our department. Learn how the M&E Hub is turning evidence into impact and why building an evaluation culture is essential for tackling today’s most pressing challenges.