From Productivism to Multifunctionality? Agri-environmental Governance in Australia and the United Kingdom. This project is concerned with the policy debate surrounding the governance of farming and natural resource management. It addresses the question of whether Australia can combine a liberalised economy with a shift from highly intensive, 'productivist' agriculture towards more sustainable land management and viable rural communities. The research will contribute to an understanding of the c ....From Productivism to Multifunctionality? Agri-environmental Governance in Australia and the United Kingdom. This project is concerned with the policy debate surrounding the governance of farming and natural resource management. It addresses the question of whether Australia can combine a liberalised economy with a shift from highly intensive, 'productivist' agriculture towards more sustainable land management and viable rural communities. The research will contribute to an understanding of the concept of 'multifunctionality', which has policy implications for agriculture, trade and international relations.Read moreRead less
Sustainable farming in Australia: Market instruments for improved land management. Sustainable farming has become a national priority. As climate change and global economic pressures increase the problems facing rural areas, Australian governments have attempted to combine more sustainable land management with a competitive agricultural sector. Several policy instruments using market incentives have been proposed to manage the competing demands of farm viability and environmental sustainability. ....Sustainable farming in Australia: Market instruments for improved land management. Sustainable farming has become a national priority. As climate change and global economic pressures increase the problems facing rural areas, Australian governments have attempted to combine more sustainable land management with a competitive agricultural sector. Several policy instruments using market incentives have been proposed to manage the competing demands of farm viability and environmental sustainability. This project will examine the responses of beef, dairy and grain farmers to these initiatives and their potential for addressing pressing environmental issues. The research will make a vital contribution to the design of policies for the future of farming, resilient rural communities and an environmentally sustainable Australia.Read moreRead less
Regulation and Governance of Agricultural Biotechnology: GMOs in Australia and the United Kingdom. Agricultural biotechnology has won Australian government support for its economic development potential but has associated ethical, consumer and environmental risks. The proposed research will contribute to the important task of successfully negotiating agricultural biotechnology futures through a comprehensive analysis of policy and regulatory structures, and stakeholder perceptions of impacts on ....Regulation and Governance of Agricultural Biotechnology: GMOs in Australia and the United Kingdom. Agricultural biotechnology has won Australian government support for its economic development potential but has associated ethical, consumer and environmental risks. The proposed research will contribute to the important task of successfully negotiating agricultural biotechnology futures through a comprehensive analysis of policy and regulatory structures, and stakeholder perceptions of impacts on environmental and economic sustainability. A comparison with the UK provides a valuable point of reference in evaluating policy and regulatory responses. Since the UK is a significant market for Australian produce, the outlook of UK consumers and the regulatory response of the government are highly relevant to Australian policy decisions.Read moreRead less
Enhancing Capacity for Change: Promoting Leadership in Sustainable Consumption amongst Australian Youth. Building societal capacity for sustainable consumption is vital if the destructive impacts of current patterns of development and lifestyle choices are to be reversed. Directly relevant to the 'Sustainability' and 'Good Health' National Research Priorities, this research will develop the change-agent potential of a significant, high spending consumer class - youth and young adults. The resear ....Enhancing Capacity for Change: Promoting Leadership in Sustainable Consumption amongst Australian Youth. Building societal capacity for sustainable consumption is vital if the destructive impacts of current patterns of development and lifestyle choices are to be reversed. Directly relevant to the 'Sustainability' and 'Good Health' National Research Priorities, this research will develop the change-agent potential of a significant, high spending consumer class - youth and young adults. The research will result in practical guidelines and program materials for youth organizations to use in capacity building for change leadership. The resultant modelling and encouragement of sustainable consumption through 'purchasing differently' will help stimulate the growth of sustainable products and services in Australia.Read moreRead less
Expert judgment of environmental health risks from exposures to contaminants in urban water systems. Sustainable urban water policy requires informed risk management procedures for health and environmental risks from exposures to many contaminants in urban water systems. This research articulates with the National Water Quality Management Strategy and national guidelines for drinking and recycled water; and it shows barriers to successful community adoption of new sustainable water technologies. ....Expert judgment of environmental health risks from exposures to contaminants in urban water systems. Sustainable urban water policy requires informed risk management procedures for health and environmental risks from exposures to many contaminants in urban water systems. This research articulates with the National Water Quality Management Strategy and national guidelines for drinking and recycled water; and it shows barriers to successful community adoption of new sustainable water technologies. Technical advances in modelling expert opinion will contribute to improved standardised risk assessment frameworks throughout government. The research is fundamental for better decision-making for regulators, suppliers, and managers and it will influence the international development of similar guidelines for sustainable urban water use.Read moreRead less
A study of the Australian thoroughbred and racing industry and the construction of 'nature'. The thoroughbred breeding and racing industry contributes significantly to national export income, regional development and national identity in Australia. Studying the physical and discursive construction and use of 'nature' (including, soil, grass, water, reproduction and the necessity of the unpredictability of nature) in different phases of breeding and racing improves understandings of technology ad ....A study of the Australian thoroughbred and racing industry and the construction of 'nature'. The thoroughbred breeding and racing industry contributes significantly to national export income, regional development and national identity in Australia. Studying the physical and discursive construction and use of 'nature' (including, soil, grass, water, reproduction and the necessity of the unpredictability of nature) in different phases of breeding and racing improves understandings of technology adoption, human-animal relations, sport and nature. Research outcomes will improve our understanding of this traditionally resilient but now vulnerable industry, thereby enhancing its capacity to adapt to change and remain internationally competitive.Read moreRead less
Improving our understanding of the effects of low carbon policies on the Australian economy and regions. Climate change mitigation policies at a national, and also at rural and regional level, is being demanded. Accurate, unbiased, and open debate with clear assumptions is critical. Greater student interest and expertise in the analytical skills is vital. More than one national model must be used and new models must incorporate more detailed data, especially on the interaction between the econo ....Improving our understanding of the effects of low carbon policies on the Australian economy and regions. Climate change mitigation policies at a national, and also at rural and regional level, is being demanded. Accurate, unbiased, and open debate with clear assumptions is critical. Greater student interest and expertise in the analytical skills is vital. More than one national model must be used and new models must incorporate more detailed data, especially on the interaction between the economy and the environment. Unfortunately, Australia has fallen behind other developed countries in building this capacity.Read moreRead less
Designing landscapes to deliver ecosystem services to agriculture. This project addresses the Priority Goal of Sustainable Use of Biodiversity by employing a pioneering management framework that identifies situations where agriculture can gain maximum benefit from nature's services. Services like pollination are crucial; approximately 35% of global food production comes from crops pollinated by bees or birds. These services contribute billions of dollars to production. Our model will greatly enh ....Designing landscapes to deliver ecosystem services to agriculture. This project addresses the Priority Goal of Sustainable Use of Biodiversity by employing a pioneering management framework that identifies situations where agriculture can gain maximum benefit from nature's services. Services like pollination are crucial; approximately 35% of global food production comes from crops pollinated by bees or birds. These services contribute billions of dollars to production. Our model will greatly enhance the flow of services from nature to agriculture by linking land-use options with service availability. This will improve economic returns to local communities and agricultural industries, and promote protection of native species by recognising their contribution to agriculture. Read moreRead less
Island Communities, Island Rhetoric: Sustainable Development and the Global Promise? The challenge to integrate economic development, social equity and environmental care intensifies on small islands. This research focuses on Tasmania, peripheral island state of Australia, sometimes typified as ?regional basket-case?. The aim is to examine how Tasmanians understand and accommodate the paradoxes of sustainable development (demanding new forms of ecological citizenship) and globalisation (based on ....Island Communities, Island Rhetoric: Sustainable Development and the Global Promise? The challenge to integrate economic development, social equity and environmental care intensifies on small islands. This research focuses on Tasmania, peripheral island state of Australia, sometimes typified as ?regional basket-case?. The aim is to examine how Tasmanians understand and accommodate the paradoxes of sustainable development (demanding new forms of ecological citizenship) and globalisation (based on conservative consumer-citizenship). Both deeply influence core government policy as well as formal and informal institutional life and language. Drawing on cultural geography and political ecology, the research will enhance theory and policy discussions about island regions, local communities and governance, sustainability and social change.Read moreRead less
Collaborating for Environmental Sustainability: Managing Tensions among Multiple Stakeholders. The project aims to explore and recommend on conditions which facilitate the development of trusting and knowledge-sharing relations between corporate, community and government stakeholders with the aim of achieving sustainable management of our land, water, energy and mineral resources. The conceptual framework draws together organisational change, corporate citizenship and social capital theory in or ....Collaborating for Environmental Sustainability: Managing Tensions among Multiple Stakeholders. The project aims to explore and recommend on conditions which facilitate the development of trusting and knowledge-sharing relations between corporate, community and government stakeholders with the aim of achieving sustainable management of our land, water, energy and mineral resources. The conceptual framework draws together organisational change, corporate citizenship and social capital theory in order to synthesise a new theoretical framework for understanding interorganisational collaboration for sustainability. Project outcomes include the development of new tools for the measurement of social capital, identification of barriers to collaboration and organisational change strategies which will overcome these barriers.Read moreRead less