Social sciences
ABARES Social Sciences undertakes applied social research and analysis, to support the strategic program and policy goals of the Department of Agriculture, other government agencies, research and development corporations, and industry bodies.
ABARES social sciences research
ABARES social research capabilities
The team has the following research capabilities:
- qualitative research and analysis
- demographic analysis
- design and facilitate focus groups and workshops
- design, delivery, data capture and statistical analysis of sample surveys
- social network analysis
- application of frameworks for supporting behaviour change, systems thinking, vulnerability and resilience, and understanding social, cultural and institutional dimensions of change
- social impact and structural adjustment assessment
- community engagement theory, processes and practice
- multidisciplinary research
- monitoring and evaluation of programs and policies.
The team contributes specialist advice to sectoral committees (Marine Pest Sectoral Committee) and expert advice and support to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporations’ Human Dimensions Research (HDR) Program Steering Committee 2015-2020 . It also contributes to multi-stakeholder research projects, such as the FMD Ready – Sub-project 2 Farmer-led surveillance.
ABARES social science research is part of ABARES broader research focus on biosecurity.
Key projects in 2019-20
Our key projects and clients in 2019 – 20 include:
- Monitoring landholder pest and weed management practices (Wave 2) (Biosecurity Policy and Implementation Division, the Department of Agriculture)
- Human dimensions of agriculture, fisheries and forestry (ABARES, Department of Agriculture)
- Seasonal agricultural labour demand and supply (Agricultural Policy, the Department of Agriculture)
- The Future of Australia’s Agriculture Workforce, strategic foresighting project (CSIRO Data 61 for ABARES, Department of Agriculture)
- Making general surveillance work (ABARES, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment)