Research
I am an interdisciplinary social scientist with research interests in the wider field of Science in Society, particularly relating to environmental issues. I have particular research interests in science communication, community-based participatory research, collaborative learning, science innovation and agricultural extension.
My PhD thesis titled, An Exploration of Collaborative Learning Spaces in the Quest for Agricultural Sustainability in New Zealand, explored six projects where scientists and farmers collaborated to advance sustainability. I developed a conceptual model which shows how partner relationships and the informal and formal institutions that shape how partners engage in participatory research projects, influence the capacity of the collaborative learning space that is created. This learning space is shown to be essential for fostering co-innovation. While the thesis used the agricultural sector in New Zealand as its context, the model and wider research findings have applications well beyond agriculture.
The research identifies generic principles that facilitate greater alignment of the multiple objectives of stakeholders. It provides a framework for more effective communication - in this case between scientists, industry and farmers.
My Masters thesis (First class Hons) was titled Science Communication In An Age Of Risk and investigated two biosecurity events in Auckland, New Zealand, which involved the aerial spraying of a biological insecticide over urban populations to control invasive exotic moths. I examined these programmes within the wider global debates about ‘participatory science’ , 'risk communication' and the media’s role in a risk society. I concluded that government authorities who engage in public biosecurity campaigns that subject citizens to risk (in this case the biological spraying of insecticide over urban communities) must step beyond their narrow statutory obligations and engage meaningfully and openly with affected communities and this calls for all stakeholders to work together.
To find out about my publications visit my University of Auckland profile page
Find out more about some of my significant research projects:
My PhD thesis titled, An Exploration of Collaborative Learning Spaces in the Quest for Agricultural Sustainability in New Zealand, explored six projects where scientists and farmers collaborated to advance sustainability. I developed a conceptual model which shows how partner relationships and the informal and formal institutions that shape how partners engage in participatory research projects, influence the capacity of the collaborative learning space that is created. This learning space is shown to be essential for fostering co-innovation. While the thesis used the agricultural sector in New Zealand as its context, the model and wider research findings have applications well beyond agriculture.
The research identifies generic principles that facilitate greater alignment of the multiple objectives of stakeholders. It provides a framework for more effective communication - in this case between scientists, industry and farmers.
My Masters thesis (First class Hons) was titled Science Communication In An Age Of Risk and investigated two biosecurity events in Auckland, New Zealand, which involved the aerial spraying of a biological insecticide over urban populations to control invasive exotic moths. I examined these programmes within the wider global debates about ‘participatory science’ , 'risk communication' and the media’s role in a risk society. I concluded that government authorities who engage in public biosecurity campaigns that subject citizens to risk (in this case the biological spraying of insecticide over urban communities) must step beyond their narrow statutory obligations and engage meaningfully and openly with affected communities and this calls for all stakeholders to work together.
To find out about my publications visit my University of Auckland profile page
Find out more about some of my significant research projects: