ABARES Social Sciences undertakes applied social research and analysis, to support the strategic program and policy goals of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 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:
- application of frameworks for supporting behaviour change, systems thinking, vulnerability and resilience, and understanding social, cultural and institutional dimensions of change
- bayesian network analysis and integrated assessment
- community engagement theory, processes and practice
- demographic analysis
- design and facilitate focus groups and workshops
- design, delivery, data capture and statistical analysis of sample surveys
- ethics advice on research proposals and projects
- foresighting
- institutional analysis and design
- monitoring and evaluation of programs and policies
- multidisciplinary research
- policy analysis and design
- qualitative and quantitative research and analysis
- social impact and structural adjustment assessment
- social network analysis
- teaching and capability building
Affiliations
- General Surveillance Community of Practice: a cross sector community of people working on different aspects of general surveillance programs to learn, network and collaborate
- Behaviour and Design Community of Practice
- The team coordinates the bimonthly the ABARES/Thai Office of Agricultural Economics discussion forum, and coordinates ABARES Agricultural Foundations course.
Current projects
Some key current projects and clients include:
- Agricultural innovation policy
- Community vulnerability to drought
- Environmental impacts of vertebrate pest animals and weeds in Australia
- Human and social dimensions of vertebrate pest animals and weeds in Australia
- Improving DAFF’s effectiveness in engaging the community about general surveillance
- Monitoring landholder pest and weed management practices (Wave 3) (Environmental Biosecurity Office, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry)
- State of The Forests Reporting 2023: Community resilience
- Trends in the Australian agricultural workforce (Agricultural Policy, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry)