Social sustainability - project details
Projects completed in 2007
Painting the landscape: a cross cultural exploration of public-government decision-making
Active transport for parents and children at Council preschools and childcare centres
Projects completed in 2006
Young people and the environment: a literature review
Research to inform the Street Based Sex Work Strategy
Gender audit for the Democratic Audit of Australia
Sexuality audit for the Democratic Audit of Australia
Projects completed in 2005
NSW Water Pricing Guidelines and Country Town Communities
An economic valuation of community legal centres
Projects completed in 2004
Perspectives on Weirs in the Upper Nepean
Social, Economic, Cultural and Heritage Monitoring Program
Projects completed in 2003
Review of Illegal Dumping in NSW
Rural Medical Family Support Project
Social Sciences and Sustainability Roundtable
Projects completed in 2002
Projects completed in 2000
Independent Review of Container Deposit Legislation
The New Competitive Energy Market: How Co-operatives and Regional Australia Can Benefit
Improved Processes for Public Participation in Policy Development on Urban Sustainability Issues
Projects completed in 2007
Strategies to engage people in activism and advocacy
Research project investigating strategies to engage people in activism and advocacy. The project consisted of a literature review, including theoretical and practice-based literature, as well as a series of research interviews with representatives from a range of non-profit advocacy organisations. The scope was deliberately broad, and included activism and advocacy of any kind (ie not necessarily health-related) and considered e-activism as well as face-to-face activism. Issues considered include recruitment strategies, methods for sustaining and increasing members' involvement, and member communication strategies. Another question asked by the project was how organisations can measure the success of their advocacy strategies, and how non-profit advocacy organisations can learn from each other's approaches in this area. The research will inform the Cancer Council NSW as it seeks to develop strategies to engage people in activism and advocacy associated with cancer control.
Partridge, Emma, (2007), Strategies to engage people in activism and advocacy: research report, [prepared for the Cancer Council (NSW)], Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney. Download/view
Painting the landscape: a cross cultural exploration of public-government decision-making
International Association for Public Participation
This work is part of a large international research project, being undertaken by the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), called 'Painting the Landscape: a cross cultural exploration of public government decision-making. The research project investigates how and why public participation/deliberation is used in different social, political and community settings within different countries and different regions of the world.
Research questions include:
• What does public participation/deliberation mean in different cultural contexts?
• How do different cultures create a space within the government decision-making structure for public involvement?
• Is the distance between the public and the government increased or decreased?
• What are the results of the public's involvement; what actions have citizens taken?
The research study interviewed 70 people in seven different regions (Africa, Australasia, Canada, Latin America, Southeast Asia, United States and UK/Western Europe). ISF conducted a number of the interviews for the Australasia region. Interviewees included elected officials, government staff members, decision makers, and people who work professionally in the public participation field. Work undertaken by ISF included providing advice on suitable interview subjects for the Australasian region, piloting the interview schedule, conducting a series of face to face and telephone interviews with the chosen subjects (of approximately 1-2 hours duration each), and undertaking the subsequent qualitative analysis of the interview material. The data analysis identified major themes, similarities and differences, provided individual reflections on the process and its findings, and related the interviews to current public participation research. The project is funded by the Kettering Foundation, a nonprofit organization that conducts research with professional administrators and public officials around the world. The foundation studies how democratic practices can bridge the gap between the public and the formal institutions of government. International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) web site: http://www.iap2.org Kettering Foundation web site: http://www.kettering.org
Urban environments that promote active living - research and development of website case study materials
Premier's Council for Active Living
This project developed case studies to illustrate Designing Places for Active Living - a set of planning and design guidelines developed by the Premier's Council for Active Living. The research investigated a number of urban environments and built form projects in Sydney to determine whether they demonstrated the application of the 'Active Living principles' devised by the Premier's Council for Active Living. Research was conducted into a selection of these projects determined to be good examples, and concise case studies were then developed (with text and photographs) for inclusion as part of the Designing Places for Active Living resource on the PCAL website. The 'Designing Places for Active Living' web resource, can be found on the Premier's Council for Active Living website at: http://www.pcal.nsw.gov.au/planning_design_guidelines/
Active transport for parents and children at Council preschools and childcare centres
Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils
This action research project was underaken by the Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC), with funding from the Local Government and Shires Associations' (LGSA) Healthy Local Government Grants Program. ISF contributed a range of research services to this collaborative project, and authored the final report - a resource for Councils that is published on the SSROC website (see link below). 'Active transport' is any physical activity undertaken as a means of transport. It usually refers to walking and cycling, although public transport can also be included as the journey usually involves some physical activity (e.g walking to the bus stop). As an alternative to private vehicle use, active transport has significant health, environmental and community benefits. In the context of this project, active transport includes parents walking with their children, pushing them in a stroller, cycling with childseats, or taking public transport together. The project investigated the reasons for the current, highly car-dependent travel behaviour of parents taking their children to and from childcare centres and the barriers to active transport. The three Sydney Councils involved in this project, namely Waverley, Marrickville and Sutherland Shire, used the research to inform the development of interventions to help increase the use of active transport in their communities. As a research contribution to the project, ISF conducted a literature review, developed a survey for parents (and analysed the results), prepared context studies for each of the pilot sites, and developed a comprehensive resource for Councils at the conclusion of the project.
Partridge, E.Y. 2007, Active Transport for Childcare Centres: A Case Study and Resource for Councils, Institute for Sustainable Futures, Sydney. View/Download paper
Projects completed in 2006
Young people and the environment: a literature review
Department of Environment and Climate Change (Parramatta Office)
The purpose of this review was to inform the development of a theoretical framework for young people's participation and consider options for involving young people in environmental decision-making processes. The review collated research on young people's attitudes to the environment, and their involvement in environmental matters. It also provided an assessment of the theoretical issues pertaining to 'young people's participation', and described the types of models that are commonly established to enable young people to 'participate' in government policy development and decision-making. It considered the strengths and weaknesses of these models, and some of the common critiques that are made of them. It provided an assessment of 'what works' in youth participation, listed the key features of effective youth participation and included a list of principles for good practice.The literature review will be available on the DECC web site shortly: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au
Research to inform the Street Based Sex Work Strategy
City of Sydney
ISF conducted two pieces of research to assist the City of Sydney in the development of its Street Based Sex Work Strategy. We undertook a review of existing reports and data, summarising key issues and analysing the material with regard to:
• Amenity and safety issues for street based sex workers
• Health issues for street based sex workers
• Amenity and safety issues for residents
• Community attitudes to street based sex work
• The regulation and management of street sex work (including legal issues and the role of state agencies)
ISF also assisted the City of Sydney to analyse and write up the results of a survey with street based sex workers and their clients. The report summarised the findings of the surveys that were undertaken with 19 clients and 14 street based sex workers in East Sydney and Darlinghurst. The findings were discussed, and implications drawn out for the City of Sydney and other agencies that play a role in managing the activities and impacts associated with street based sex work. The Institute's report made a number of recommendations for improving planning and management strategies, as well as for conducting further research in relation to this issue.
Gender audit for the Democratic Audit of Australia
Australian National University
This report, 'How well does Australian democracy serve Australian women?', was co-authored by Emma Partridge and Sarah Maddison at UNSW. It is part of the large Democratic Audit project at ANU, which conducts research to assess Australia's strengths and weaknesses as a democratic society. The gender audit is one of a number of 'focused audits'.
The authors consider the extent to which Australian democracy has achieved a susbstantive gender equality. It does this within the conceptual framework for a healthy democracy that informs the Democratic Audit of Australia. This is constituted by four principles, namely:
• popular control over public decision-making;
• political equality in exercising that control;
• the principle of deliberative democracy; and
• the principle of human rights and civil liberties.
The report focuses on a number of key components in the provision of gender equality, specifically:
• The legislative framework that is intended to eliminate discrimination against women;
• The level of representation of women in various spheres of Australian life;
•The policy machinery that was developed in order to monitor the impact of public policy on women; and
• The degree to which women's non-government organisations are consulted with, have access to, and are supported in their relationships with government.
The analysis is situated in the international context, assessing Australia's progress towards gender equality against the measures outlined in the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA).
Partridge, E.Y., Maddison, S. 2007, How well does Australian democracy serve Australian women? Report No. 8, [prepared for Democratic Audit of Australia], Australian National University, Canberra. View/Download paper
Sexuality audit for the Democratic Audit of Australia
The Australian National University
This report, 'How well does Australian democracy serve sexual and gender minorities?', was co-authored by Emma Partridge and Sarah Maddison at UNSW. It is part of the large Democratic Audit project at ANU, which conducts research to assess Australia's strengths and weaknesses as a democratic society. The sexuality audit is one of a number of 'focused audits'. The authors consider the extent to which Australian democracy protects and advances the rights of sexual and gender minorities. It does this within the conceptual framework for a healthy democracy that informs the Democratic Audit of Australia. This is constituted by four principles, namely: • popular control over public decision-making; • political equality in exercising that control; • the principle of deliberative democracy; and • the principle of human rights and civil liberties.
The report focuses on three key areas concerning the provision of sexual equality, namely
• The legislative framework that is intended to eliminate discrimination against sexual and gender minorities;
• The recognition and certification of spousal and parenting relationships in gay and lesbian couples and families;
• The public policies and social attitudes that continue to affect the daily lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transexual and intersex (GLBTI) people in Australia.
Maddison, S. & Partridge, E.Y. 2007, How Well Does Australian Democracy Serve Sexual and Gender Minorities? Report No. 9, [prepared for Democratic Audit of Australia], Australian National University, Canberra. View/Download paper
Projects completed in 2005
NSW Water Pricing Guidelines and Country Town Communities
Public Interest Advocacy Centre
The Utility Consumers' Advocacy Program (UCAP) within the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) commissioned ISF to conduct research on the impact of NSW water pricing guidelines on country town communities. The objectives of the research were to:
Of particular interest was the impact of the Best Practice Management guidelines, released by the NSW Government in 2004, on rural consumers. The project involved a literature review on the impacts of rural water pricing and primary research with representatives from local government and welfare agencies in three rural communities. The report made a series of recommendations for improved water pricing practices and greater use of non-price measures to encourage water conservation.
Riedy, C.J. & Partridge, E.Y. 2005, NSW Water Pricing Guidelines and Country Town Communities, [prepared for The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC)], Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney. View/Download paper
An economic valuation of community legal centres
National Association of Community Legal Centres
The project valued the 'public good' contribution of community legal centres (CLCs). A case study based approach was used to illustrate the range and values of market and non-market costs and benefits of these services. Work by CLCs provides clear private benefits to individual clients, many of whom live in disadvantaged circumstances and have legal problems that are interlinked with other problems in their lives. What is less well recognised are the broader public benefits provided to society as a result of the work of CLCs. Such recognition is critical to identifying the total economic value generated by CLCs' services. The Institute found that much of the work of CLCs is preventative and therefore produces important, but somewhat "invisible" benefits and "avoided costs" to society. The precise costing of such benefits is notoriously difficult, but ISF's work illustrates the need for them to be at least considered. Our report demonstrates the intrinsic benefit to society of providing social service, welfare, assistance, protection and information to vulnerable citizens. Overall, the report found that CLCs provide enormous value for money, with benefits to individuals and to society far outweighing the public funds CLCs expend. Our work helped the NACLC to demonstrate that an upfront investment in CLCs by government is cost effective. Importantly, it also showed that through collaboration with government, legal aid, the private legal profession and community partners, CLCs deliver beneficial outcomes for their clients and communities, contribute to an improved justice system and deliver significant benefits to society as a whole. National Association of Community Legal Centres: http://www.naclc.org.au/ Combined Community Legal Centres Group (NSW): http://www.nswclc.org.au/clcs.html
Edgerton, N. & Partridge, E.Y. 2006, The Economic Value of Community Legal Centres, [prepared for Combined Community Legal Centres Group NSW & National Association of Community Legal Centres], Institute for Sustainable Futures, Sydney.View/Download paper
Community EmPOWERment: The Institute developed this project with the Moreland Energy Foundation Limited to understand what makes people increase their electricity use, what stops them from reducing it, and what can be done to help them reduce it. A series of workshops giving participants a chance to have their say and learn about ways to reduce home electricity use were held from July until early September 2004.
Projects completed in 2004
Perspectives on Weirs in the Upper Nepean, for the Hawkesbury Nepean River Management Forum: The purpose of the study was to identify the values held by river users and community members, including irrigator groups along the river, in relation to identified weirs on the Upper Nepean River. This involved identifying the nature of the social and economic relationship between relevant river stakeholders and the weirs, the concerns they might have with any change to current management of weirs, and the ways in which the various stakeholder groups would want to participate in decision-making processes in relation to the weirs. A participatory method was adopted, with semi-structured surveys of the relevant stakeholders.
Social, Economic, Cultural and Heritage Monitoring Program, for the Hawkesbury Nepean River Management Forum: The purpose of this project was to advise the Forum on processes required to monitor significant social, economic, cultural and heritage impacts in the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment. In particular, it addressed the potential impacts associated with implementing various river management strategies and changing river conditions. This involved a literature review focusing on the political nature of impact assessment and the importance of community participation in decision-making. Telephone surveys were also held with selected river stakeholders regarding what should be monitored and how monitoring should be conducted.
Projects completed in 2003
Review of Illegal Dumping in NSW, for the NSW Environment Protection Authority and Resource NSW: The purpose of this project is to inform future initiatives in the prevention of illegal dumping, by researching the nature, extent and causes of the illegal dumping problem in NSW, and different mechanisms which have been used to control it. Key to the research methodology is in-depth consultation with a range of stakeholders (state government, local government, industry and NGO's). The first phase involved telephone interviews with stakeholders (excluding local government), while the second phase (underway) will involve surveys of all NSW councils.
Rural Medical Family Support Project, for the Department of Health and Ageing: This research to defined and implemented community based strategies to meet the family support needs of rural GPs, in particular, and rural communities more generally. As part of the project, nine family support strategies were defined in consultation with rural GPs and their spouses and implemented over a six-month period. These strategies included the preparation of three discussion papers, working with local organisations to extend opportunities for musical/theatre and sporting/recreation opportunities in rural areas, particularly for children, and practice management training opportunities. The following discussion papers were produced during this research project:
The 21st Century GP: recruitment and retention in rural Australia
The Practice of Flexible Practice
Working from home: a solution to the employment of rural medial spouses?
Social Sciences and Sustainability Roundtable
The Social Values Unit at CSIRO and the Institute for Sustainable Futures held a Roundtable on Friday 12 December 2003 for social scientists who work on sustainability. Papers from this Roundtable have been published by CSIRO.
Projects completed in 2002
Barriers to Mainstreaming Sustainability in the Building Industry, for Planning NSW and the Sustainability Advisory Council: The purpose of this project was to assess the barriers to implementing sustainability in the residential property industry. The project identified and mapped the main barriers to 'mainstreaming' sustainable residential development, using extensive stakeholder consultation across the relevant government and industry sectors, and an emergent process to map results. The project has since been acknowledged as the most comprehensive consultation process the NSW development industry has seen.
Projects completed in 2000
Independent Review of Container Deposit Legislation, for the NSW Minister for the Environment: included a major social research component, using a range of approaches to determine public perceptions and preferences in relation to CDL. Social research methods employed included stakeholder and community interviews, a citizens' jury and a large scale tele-vote. It was the first time in the world that both a citizen jury and a televote were combined.
Improved Processes for Public Participation in Policy Development on Urban Sustainability Issues, for the NSW Environmental Protection Authority and the University of Technology, Sydney: The Institute conducted a major study of what was call "extended public participation", or practical applications of representative and deliberative processes for public policy-making, such as citizen juries and consensus conferences. The project included a case study on waste policy in NSW, and was conducted in collaboration with Dr Lyn Carson from Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney.
The New Competitive Energy Market: How Co-operatives and Regional Australia Can Benefit: A forum was convened by ISF and the Australian Centre for Co-operative Research and Development, to discuss issues faced by rural and regional Australia and co-operatives in a competitive energy market. Download proceedings
