Engaged-social science research

The social science research delivered by the Rural Innovation Research Group provides solutions for the innovation and change challenges faced by stakeholders.

Our engaged social science capability includes expertise in:

• The analysis of farming systems and decision making
• Assessment of human resource management and leadership capacity
• Investigations of ‘what works and why’ in change management,
• The analysis of innovation systems
• Rural workforce planning and action
• Resilience assessment and implementation
• The application of segmentation methods/approaches to engagement communities
• Stakeholder analysis
• Participatory Technology Assessments
• Assessments of collaboration and collective action capacity including adaptive governance.

We conduct targeted and tailored literature and other reviews, to inform the design, development and delivery of innovation support programs and policies. This work also draws upon our international connections and access to state-of-the-art knowledge in the domains of interest to our stakeholders.

We have expertise in a range of social science methods such as:

• Interviews, focus groups and surveys
• Case study analysis
• Appreciative inquiry techniques
• Social network analysis
• Participatory action research.

Contact information

Please contact Professor Ruth Nettle for more information or to work with us:

• ranettle@unimelb.edu.au
• +613 8344 4581