Social Sciences Research Co-ordination Program - Technical Reference Group Members

In addition to the Steering Committee, a Technical Reference Group comprised of social sciences expertise in the fisheries and NRM sectors, is tasked with; ensuring the issues and strategies of the program can feasibly be addressed in research project proposals; communicating program objectives to the research community, to encourage relevant and targeted research proposals; reviewing research proposals and providing recommendations to the Steering Committee as to the relevance and achievability of proposals in light of the program’s aims and objectives. The Technical Reference Group is comprised of the following Social Sciences experts.

Dr Anna Carr

Anna is the Senior Social Scientist, in the Social Sciences Program of the Bureau of Rural Sciences. She has an undergraduate degree in Communication Studies, a Masters degree in Economic Development and a Doctorate in Resource and Environmental Studies. Her previous research has concentrated on the relationship between public science and (rural) society. Based upon her rural background in Western Australia, Anna is interested in the balance between natural resource management and productivity. As a communicator within a biophysical science context, she is also interested in scientists’ understandings of publics and processes of public engagement and dialogue.

Anna’s previous work has examined the role of risk, trust and expertise in farming systems. She has worked with a range of community groups on issues of water quality, dryland salinity and watershed management. She has also worked with irrigators, foresters and graziers across Australia. Anna is keen to trial and develop new qualitative social research methods such as Most Significant Change technique and is keen to explore the use of new-media in production contexts. Currently, she is working on the social dimensions of biosecurity and fisheries issues with the Bureau of Rural Sciences, in the Australian Department of Agriculture Fisheries & Forestry.

Email: anna.carr@brs.gov.au

Professor Daniela Stehlik

Professor Daniela Stehlik is Foundation Chair in Stronger Communities and Director of the Research Centre for Stronger Communities at Curtin University of Technology in Perth, Western Australia, where she leads a team of social scientists working in sustainability and conservation; strengths-based practice models and place and community vulnerability.

In 2008, she completed an appointment to the Expert Panel on the Social Impacts of Drought for the Federal Minister of Agriculture’s Review of National Drought Policy.

Professor Stehlik’s involvement in community development activities, and the impact of change on communities has led to a number of publications focusing on issues associated with social sustainability, community capacity building and evidence based policy. She is particularly interested in the generative capacity of women's energy and enthusiasm as an important component of community flourishing.

Email: d.stehlik@curtin.edu.au

Dr Steve Sutton

Steve is a social scientist in the Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre at James Cook University, specialising in the Human Dimensions of Recreational Fisheries. His current research involves understanding the social aspects of recreational fishing and recreational fisheries management including: people’s motivations for going fishing, their attitudes and values towards fish, the environment, and fisheries management, the factors that influence participation (or non-participation) in recreational fishing, how recreational fishers can become meaningfully engaged in the fisheries management process, the social and economic benefits of recreational fishing, the social impacts (positive and negative) of changes in fisheries management policy, and how to communicate scientific information to recreational fishers.

Most of Steve’s research projects are applied and collaborative in nature, developing good working relationships with many fisheries stakeholders including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Recfish Australia, and various charter fishing and commercial fishing industry representative groups. He has also been a member of the FRDC-funded Recfishing Research steering committee since its inception.

Email: stephen.sutton@jcu.edu.au

Dr Trevor Webb

Dr Webb is the Principal Social Scientist at Food Standards Australia New Zealand with a keen interest in consumer perceptions, attitudes and behaviour in relation to food. He has experience in quantitative and qualitative measurements of public perceptions, attitudes and behavioural intent and the application of these findings to public policy. Recent research has focused on the use of package information such as claims and nutritional information in consumer purchase decision making. Prior to his employment in FSANZ, Dr Webb was employed by the Bureau of Rural Sciences where he undertook social research on farmer and community attitudes and behaviour in the development of public policy. Dr Webb commenced employment in FSANZ in February 2006.

Email: trevor.webb@foodstandards.gov.au

For full Terms of Reference in regard to the operation of the Steering Committee and Technical Reference Group, please see the Terms of Reference.