On occasion, a planned research and development outcome could be more successful if a number of related projects were managed by employing higher levels of coordination, integration and communication. The FRDC either on its own initiative or at the request of a stakeholder group, can establish a managed subprogram.
The Subprogram is responsible for coordinating FRDC-funded research and development aimed at addressing priorities within the field of human dimensions research, with a focus on social, economic and cultural factors and the people, markets, institutions and behaviours these affect.
Subprogram management
The HDR Subprogram is managed by an expertise-based steering and scientific committee, appointed by the FRDC. In addition to its leadership and strategic roles, the committee advises the FRDC on allocation of subprogram funds to projects consistent with stakeholder priorities and relevant R&D plans; actively oversees progress of projects under its direct management; and provides technical advice to the FRDC on issues, applications and projects beyond those under its management.
Research Priorities
Research, Development and Extension Plan
Human Dimensions Research Subprogram has developed a Research, Development and Extension (RD&E) Plan that provides a framework to identify and invest in key strategic research needs of stakeholders.
Call for Applications
The FRDC invests through a flexible approach. Part of this approach allows the Research Advisory Committees (RACs), Industry Partnership Agreements (IPAs) and Subprograms to call for applications based on their priorities up to three times per year in November, April and August – see whether this Subprogram has put forward any priorities in the current call for applications.
Members:
• Dr Nicki Mazur (ENVision Environmental Consulting)
• Dr Sean Pascoe (CSIRO/QUT)
• Dr Nyree Stenekes (ABARES)
• Bryan McDonald (Dept Primary Industries and Resources, NT)
• Alex Ogg (WAFIC)
• Dr Julian Morison (BDO Econsearch)
Human Dimensions Research Contact:
Dr Emily Ogier - Subprogram Leader (E Emily.Ogier@utas.edu.au)
Dr Sarah Jennings - Economics Coordinator (E Sarah.Jennings@utas.edu.au )
FRDC Management Contacts:
Chris Izzo – FRDC Portfolio Manager (M 0419852723; E Christopher.Izzo@frdc.com.au)
Meeting dates: See – Events
Additional information:
Australian Fisheries and Aquaculture Industry Economic and Social Contributions 2017/18
Estimates of the economic contribution of the Australian Fisheries and Aquaculture industry to the Australian economy for 2017/18 are presented here.
A summary of these economic contributions, as well as the broader contributions to the wellbeing of communities in regional Australia shown in other studies, is presented here.
These reports form part of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Industry Contributions Study (FRDC project 2017-210). This study is an exciting step forward that lays the groundwork for the Australian seafood industry to celebrate and monitor its economic and other contributions and to showcase evidence of these to its communities and to Australians in general. The project was undertaken by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, with BDO EconSearch commissioned to provide the economic estimates.
AgriFutures’ The Community Trust in Rural Industries Program
FRDC is a partner in The Community Trust in Rural Industries Program (2019-042), which is a collaborative partnership involving 10 Rural Research and Development Corporations (RDCs), the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) to build the capacity of food and fibre industries to productively engage with the community.
The Program is a capacity building initiative to drive a productive and cohesive response to changes in cross-sector community trust.
More information about the program is available here.
The year one findings of this project are summarised in this fact sheet and this infographic.
HDR Subprogram Project Highlights
The following active and recently-completed projects are addressing the HDR Subprogram’s 5 RD&E goals.
1. Delivering benefits - Ensuring social, cultural and economic benefits from fisheries and aquaculture through benefit sharing, resource allocation and other management activities and models.
2. Changing behaviours - Understanding behaviour of fishers/farmers, institutions and organisations in areas of compliance, adaptation, adoption of new practices and technologies, and innovation.
3. Working with markets- Understanding how seafood product and non-product markets (e.g. labour markets, other inputs, markets for fishing rights) and market-based mechanisms operate and how they support fisheries and aquaculture prosperity and sustainability.
4. Building community trust- Effective engagement that builds community trust and socially-supported fisheries and aquaculture.
See the Building Community Trust page for more resources.
5. Building human dimensions research capability- Enhancing capability through data platforms and standards, training, and tools to help identify HDR needs.