Making change stick: Implementation science workshop in Melbourne

CEI is offering a hands-on in-person workshop in Melbourne, on 10 September, to strengthen understanding of implementation science and support real-world service improvement.

Date and time: 10 September, 9am-5pm 

Venue: Novotel Melbourne, Collins St (map) 

Format: In-person, hands-on workshop 

Ticket price: $850 (ex-GST) 

Register HERE or email any enquiries: kate.lake@ceiglobal.org

Overview 

Join this hands-on workshop to strengthen your understanding of implementation science and how it can support real-world service improvement. Designed for practitioners and policymakers in social services and government, the session will introduce key frameworks, strategies and tools, to help you implement evidence-informed policies and programs effectively – even in resource-constrained settings. You will gain with practical insights for tackling barriers, engaging stakeholders, and driving meaningful, sustainable change. 

Learning objectives 

• Learn the fundamentals of implementation science, including principles, strategies and considerations for ‘real-world’ implementation. 
• Understand how to use implementation frameworks to support service improvement. 
• Know how to select and apply ‘best bet’ implementation strategies to support service improvement. 
• Learn important techniques for engaging stakeholders in implementation efforts. 
• Understand how implementation fundamentals can be applied to your real-world/current service improvement efforts. 

Read more about CEI's capacity building expertise HERE

Who should attend?  

The workshop is for practitioners, service providers, policymakers, and funders involved in designing, or supporting the implementation of policies, programs or services. It is especially relevant for those working in government, social services, and mission-driven community organisations seeking to improve service delivery. 

Workshop instructors 

Dr Melinda Polimeni 

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Director of Implementation at CEI 

Melinda Polimeni, PhD, is a registered educational and developmental psychologist and researcher with more than 20 years’ experience in intervention design, service improvement, system reform, and implementation. She specialises in using evidence to improve outcomes for children and young people facing adversity, particularly in education, early childhood, disability and mental health. 

Melinda has led major reform initiatives across Australia, partnering with government and community sectors to adapt evidence-informed interventions to local contexts. She is a leading implementation practitioner, known for her work on Victoria’s statewide Family Preservation and Reunification Response (‘the Response’), which contributed to a 17% reduction in children entering out-of-home care. This work was recently profiled in an OECD report on evidence use for child wellbeing. 

At CEI, Melinda leads projects focused on evidence-informed design and implementation (including pioneering a ‘Common Elements Approach’) and co-developing an Aboriginal evidence base in partnership with Aboriginal organisations. 

Leigh Johnston

Educational and Developmental Psychologist & Implementation practitioner

Leigh has 15 years' experience working across a range of settings, including schools and special education, hospital and mental health services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, and refugee support services.

For many years, Leigh worked therapeutically with children and young people who experienced violence or adversity including abuse, neglect, persecution, war, incarceration and marginalisation. Leigh worked in the Kimberley to co-design and implement disability supports for young children and their families. She has also provided coaching and consultancy on trauma-informed behaviour support practices and policies, conducted psychological assessments, facilitated parenting interventions, coordinated capacity-building projects, and designed and delivered training for educators and allied health practitioners.

Leigh is skilled in drawing on various forms of evidence to guide consultations on the design and implementation of interventions, and in supporting organisations through practice adaptation and evaluation. 

Register HERE for the "Making change stick" workshop

Event-related FAQs

1. Event logistics

Where will the event be held?
Australia Room 1, Level 3, Novotel Melbourne on Collins, 270 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000.

What are the event start and finish times?
Event registration will open at 8:45am with the workshop starting at 9am and concluding at 5pm.

Is catering provided? What if I have dietary requirements?
All day catering will be provided. Please fill in any dietary requirements when registering.

Is the venue accessible for people with disabilities
Yes, the room we have booked at Novotel Melbourne on Collins is accessible. Please contact us or the venue to confirm any specific requirements.

Will there be materials provided (e.g. workbooks, slides)?
Yes, each participant will receive a workbook, and a copy of the slides presented on the day.

What should I bring to the event?
Attendees may wish to bring their own items such as a laptop, however, all materials necessary for the workshop and catering will be provided on the day.

Is there a limit on participant numbers?
Our venue has a maximum capacity of 50 people.

2. Tickets and payments

How much does a ticket cost?
Tickets are AUD $850 (excl. GST). Tickets can be purchased here.

Can I pay on the day?
Ticket payment must be made a minimum of 14 days prior to the workshop date. All tickets must be paid in full at the time of booking.

Can I purchase multiple tickets at once?
Yes, you can buy multiple tickets on our ticketing platform. However, workshop spaces are limited to 50 people.

How do I get a tax invoice?
A tax invoice will be issued upon purchase from our ticketing provider.

What payment methods are accepted?
Our ticketing platform Humanitix offers all major payment methods including credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

3. Cancellations, refunds and transfers

What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations made more than 14 days prior to the event will receive a full refund. No refunds will be provided for cancellations received within 14 days of the event. Refunds will be processed to the original payment method within a reasonable timeframe after approval.

Can I transfer my ticket to someone else?
Tickets are only valid for the named attendee and cannot be transferred without prior approval from the Organiser. Please contact us if you wish to transfer your ticket.

How do I request a refund?
Please contact one of our event organisers Kate kate.lake@ceiglobal.org or Melinda melinda.polimeni@ceiglobal.org

What happens if the event is cancelled or rescheduled?
In the event of a cancellation or rescheduling, the organisers will contact you directly to offer either a full refund or the option to transfer your registration to the new date.

4. Other questions

Will the event be recorded?
No, this event will not be recorded.

Will photos be taken, and how will they be used?
The event may be photographed for promotional or archival purposes. By attending, participants consent to the use of images or recordings in future Organiser publications, online platforms, or marketing materials, unless a written request is made to opt out.

How can I stay informed about future events?
Sign up to CEIs newsletter to stay informed of future events, you can sign up here.  

Who do I contact if I have further questions?
Please contact one of our event organisers Kate kate.lake@ceiglobal.org or Melinda melinda.polimeni@ceiglobal.org