Rural Innovation Research Group
The Rural Innovation Research Group (RIRG) generates new knowledge on effective actions for managing change through research, development and practice.
As an applied social science group, RIRG’s research focuses on research questions that are co-developed with different rural industries or resource-use stakeholders and directed toward the following issues:
- Improving transitions in farming systems (e.g. farm decision making; rural workforce development; business management and risk);
- Improving knowledge utilisation (e.g. knowledge and learning systems; social implications of technological developments; building and engaging communities of practice; collaboration and collective action; multi- and trans-disciplinary approaches);
- Improving extension and change management (e.g. public-private sector service roles; advisory capacity; extension design and delivery; capacity building; sustainability); and
- Improving resource management (e.g. resilience; adaptation; social learning, community-based NRM, indigenous NRM, sustainable farming; rural community development).
Research Group Contact Information
Ruth Nettle
RIRG Leader
Faculty of Science
The University of Melbourne
Ph: +61 3 8344 4581
Email: ranettle@unimelb.edu.au
Researchers
Prof Ruth Nettle, Rural Innovation Research Group Lead
Dr Margaret Ayre, Senior Lecturer
Dr Barbara King, Honorary Research Fellow
Dr Jana-Axinja Paschen, Research Fellow
Nicole Reichelt, Research Fellow
Dr Michael Santhanam-Martin, Lecturer
Dr Helen McGregor, Tutor
Dr Kaitlyn Height, Tutor
Research Students
Awards: Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Science, The University of Melbourne
Project: Dairy work force development: Attraction and retention of skilled migrants to the Australian Dairy industry
Awards: Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Melbourne
Project: Social dimensions, influence and attitudes of Victorian Lamb producers around the adoption of improved genetics generated by evaluation services
Awards: Australia Awards for Africa 2013. Master of Agribusiness, Deans Honors List 2014. Master of Agribusiness Class, Melbourne International Research Scholarship 2017. PhD Agricultural Sciences
Project: A study into how stakeholder power relations affect agricultural extension service delivery in a pluralistic Agricultural Innovation System: A case study of Homabay County in Kenya
Awards: Bachelor of Science (Hons.), Curtin University. The University of Melbourne (FVAS) PhD scholarship
Project: Collaborative approaches to the integration of Indigenous and Western scientific knowledges for sustainable development on Indigenous lands
Awards: Bachelor of Science (Hons.), University of Deakin. Master of Agriculture, The University of Melbourne. Master of Divinity, Melbourne College of Divinity
Project: The Logic of innovation: how institutional logics shape innovation performance in Australian agriculture
Stimulating private sector extension in Australian agriculture to increase returns from R&D
A project to research, develop and test models for enhancing the capacity of the commercial and private sector in delivering extension services to Australian producers.
This project is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources as part of its Rural R&D for Profit program.
Research Projects
The Rural Innovation Research Group is undertaking a number of Research Projects across the following areas:
- Change in Farming Systems
- The Knowledge and Innovation System
- Agricultural Extension and Change Management
- Natural Resource Management
Research Partnerships
Publications
View publications from the Rural Innovation Research Group:
- Journal articles
- Books and book chapters
- Conference papers and posters
- Final and other reports
- Theses
The Rural Innovation Research Group applies social science theories and research methods to issues affecting the future of farming, natural resource management and rural communities, and evaluates methods of research that involve different knowledge practices.
PhD Opportunities
The Rural Innovation Research Group (School of Agriculture and Food at the University of Melbourne) is seeking 2 suitably-qualified candidates for PhD research projects related to:
- agricultural work/the agricultural workforce
- rural innovation systems/innovation clusters (Mallee region of Victoria)
Prospective candidates will need to demonstrate that they will satisfy the entry requirements for enrolling in a PhD (see here) and would be competitive in securing an Australian Postgraduate Award or Industry-funded scholarship. Potential candidates with work and/or research experience in social science and Australian farming systems are encouraged to apply.
For more detailed information about the projects and application procedures please contact Professor Ruth Nettle: email ranettle@unimelb.edu.au Phone 0419 569684 before May 30, 2020.
The group has research higher degree positions available at Masters or PhD level in the following topic areas:
Future of farming and sustainable agriculture
Supervisors: Assoc Prof Ruth Nettle, Dr Michael Santhanam-Martin, Dr Barbara King, Dr Margaret Ayre, Dr Kate Lee
We apply social science theories and methods to investigate dynamics of change in farming systems and rural communities, including their social, economic, environmental and equity dimensions. Project topics include:
- New technologies in farming and their co-development
- Human dimensions of farming transitions
- Agricultural workforce and workplace policies
- Human resources management
- Rural community futures
Natural resource management and governance
Supervisors: Dr Margaret Ayre, Dr Michael Santhanam-Martin
We conduct social science research to understand and support issues of sustainability and resilience in complex socio-ecological systems such as catchments, agricultural regions and Indigenous estates. This includes stakeholder engagement in decision making through participatory planning and policy development processes. Project topics include:
- Climate change adaptation
- Participatory water resources management
- Indigenous caring for country
Agricultural innovation systems
Supervisors: Dr Barbara King, Assoc Prof Ruth Nettle, Dr Margaret Ayre, Dr Michael Santhanam-Martin
We apply social science theories of innovation to the agricultural research, development and extension system in Australia and work with practitioners to develop new methods for enabling innovation and change.
Project topics include:
- Agricultural extension practice and policy
- Research, Development and extension in Australia/and internationally
- Privatisation of advisory services
- Public-private sector networks
The study of trans-disciplinarity in agriculture and natural resource management
Supervisors: Dr Margaret Ayre, Assoc Prof Ruth Nettle
We design and evaluate methods of research that involve different knowledge practices. Project topics include:
- Research design
- Social learning
- Action Science and Action Research
Read more about applying for a graduate research degree here.