Editorial

Abstract

I am delighted to present the fourth and final issue in Volume 21 of the Evaluation Journal of Australasia (EJA). It has been a challenging year at the EJA with the resignation of long-standing editor Dr Bronwyn Rossingh. Everyone in the EJA editorial team wishes Bronwyn all the best in her future endeavours. Additionally, COVID-19 has continued to have a global impact, yet fortunately, this has not hampered the ongoing submission of manuscripts to the EJA. In this regard, I am privileged to present two new research articles, each offering unique contexts to highlight the importance of inclusive evaluation practice.The first article is titled Enhancing the inclusion of gender and sexually diverse populations in evaluation: Reflections grounded in practice. Here, authors Adams and Neville raise the concern that despite evaluators' commitment to high-quality practice, gender and sexually diverse populations are not always adequately considered in evaluation practice. Based upon their evaluation and research experience, Adams and Neville offer three domains for consideration toward building more inclusive evaluation practices. Rather than being a checklist, the three domainsterminology and language, processes of research inclusion and implications of inclusionprovide guidance towards more inclusive and reflexive practice. After all, without the inclusion of gender and sexually diverse people and competence among evaluators to facilitate this, it is likely the identities and values of these stakeholders will remain insufficiently represented in evaluation (Adams & Neville, 2021).The second article in this issue is titled COVID-19 concerns, health services utilisation, and social support among Western Australians with diabetes during the pandemic. Here, authors Olson, Mergelsberg, Jensen, Schofield and Watson sought to understand the impact of COVID-19 on Western Australians with diabetes. In doing so, they present findings in relation to their evaluation involving an online survey of consumers of diabetes health services and an analysis of program data, during the emerging public health crisis. Olson et al. (2021) emphasise the need for agile and pragmatic evaluations during the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic in order to tailor services to the needs of vulnerable consumers. Findings from this evaluation highlight the importance of strategies to alleviate stress, support diabetes self-management via both online and face-to-face delivery and build awareness of other forms of social support.