A new home for the Next Generation Engagement Program at ANU
After a highly successful pilot in 2017 that saw the Next Generation Engagement Program map out the infrastructure sector’s toughest engagement challenges, the team is proud to announce that it has a new home at the Australian National University’s Crawford School of Public Policy.
Internationally respected social license researcher, Associate Professor Sara Bice, said the increased commitment from ANU is an extremely positive development for this world-leading research program.
“The Next Generation Engagement Program is globally unique in seeking to bridge the knowledge gaps around engagement and social risk management for infrastructure delivery. The ANU Crawford School of Public Policy was one of the early supporters of our work and were so impressed with our outcomes in 2017 that they have committed to supporting the growth of this work.”
Dr Bice added that Pilot Phase partners, the University of Melbourne, will remain part of the program’s research network.
“I’m pleased to be joined in this work by our Industry Director and co-founder, Kirsty O’Connell, a leader in the engagement sector, and by knowledge translation expert, Dr Kirsty Jones,” Associate Professor Bice said.
Head of the Crawford School of Public Policy, Professor Helen Sullivan, said she was excited to welcome such a novel research program to ANU.
“In 2017, the Next Generation Engagement team, led by Dr Bice, worked hand in hand with industry to map out its most pressing knowledge gaps, challenges and opportunities in engagement. That work underpins a research agenda with the potential to transform the relationship between proponents and communities. We are very pleased to be support such exciting work,” Professor Sullivan said.
With the move to ANU complete, Dr Bice said the team’s focus is firmly on progressing the Next Generation Engagement research priorities.
“We’re thrilled to be working with partners to bring this research agenda to life – starting with our flagship project – the International Infrastructure and Engagement Case Centre.”