In FASS, we seek to shape both thinking and practice. Our work speaks not only to experts in our disciplines but also to a wide range of stakeholders and research users outside the university world.
Our research reports
Below, you will find a range of recent examples of how our research translates into reports that contain key lessons for practice in a range of non-academic domains.
‘Creating a Democracy for Everyone’: Strategies for Increasing Listening and Engagement by Government
Distinguished Professor Jim Macnamara
In the aftermath of the fateful 2016 UK Referendum on membership of the EU – now known as Brexit – the incoming Prime Minister of the UK, Theresa May, said at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham:
"Our democracy should work for everyone, but if you’ve been trying to say things need to change for years and your complaints fall on deaf ears, it doesn’t feel like it’s working for you.”
Admission by a Prime Minister that the voice of citizens can “fall on deaf ears” is concerning. Alarmingly, research shows that a failure of major institutions and organisations to listen to their stakeholders and constituents is commonplace.
This report, based on more than 70 interviews with government officials, more than 50 meetings with government departments and agencies, and analysis of documents during six months research inside the UK Cabinet Office and UK Government departments, shows major breakdowns in two-way communication, as well as providing insights for improving public communication to rebuild trust.
High Heat and Climate Change at Work
Climate change is driving higher temperatures, heatwaves, and more extreme weather. There are one billion workers exposed to high heat, which kills more workers than any other natural disaster. It is crucial we act.
To help solve this problem, we need to know more about what is happening in diverse roles and industries, and to hear from workers themselves. We joined with the United Workers Union and surveyed and interviewed over 800 of their members. These people work as educators, machine operators, warehouse workers, home carers, cleaners, firefighters, paramedics, and more. They told us about their experience of climate change and high heat, the impact of bushfires, and the complications of COVID-19 for heat stress.
We found that heat in the workplace is not just about daily temperature forecasts and cooling controls. The ability of workers to delay the most physically demanding tasks to cooler times of the day, take extra breaks, pace themselves, and stop work, also determined how high heat can be managed. Our report made recommendations that there be urgent national planning across the workforce, and that employers be made to do more to keep people safe on the job.
Organizational Listening in Public Communication: Emerging Theory and Practice
Distinguished Professor Jim Macnamara
The Organisational Listening Project began in 2013 with a pilot study in Australia, followed by a study of 36 organisations in Australia, the UK and the USA (2014–2015), six months research inside the UK Government (2016), and an 18-month study of communication by corporations in Europe (2018–2019). Evaluations of the public communication of a number other organisations including the World Health Organization (2020–2022) contribute to an emerging body of theory on organisational listening as well as methods for practice.
This 2022 report synthesises the findings of 10 years of research into how, and how well, organisations listen to their stakeholders such as employees, customers, and local communities.
While the findings of the individual studies have been reported in academic journal articles and book chapters, bringing together the findings from multiple studies identifies consistent patterns, conclusions, and recommendations based on a large body of evidence.
Pacific handbook for gender equity and social inclusion in coastal fisheries and aquaculture
Professor Kate Barclay
Fisheries and aquaculture are vital for the food security, livelihoods and cultural traditions of Pacific Island people. However, the majority of fisheries and aquaculture managers working in government agencies and non-government organisations have biological training, rather than expertise in social science or community development.
Policies and programs to manage fisheries resources or promote seafood business and food production opportunities, therefore, sometimes fail to equitably address development for all groups in communities, such as women and other marginalised groups.
This Handbook, produced by researchers in collaboration with practitioners, builds on research findings from a range of social science fields to present ways of undertaking coastal fisheries and aquaculture management that support the goals of gender equality and social inclusion.
Primary Connections: linking science with literacy Stage 6 Research Evaluation
Professor Peter Aubusson, Associate Professor Paul F. Burke, Associate Professor Wan Ng, Tracey-Ann Palmer, Andy Goodall and Dr Jennifer Fergusson
A team of education experts at the UTS were commissioned by the Australian Academy of Science to evaluate the Primary Connections program, a Government-supported science education program used extensively in Australian primary schools. The aim was to determine the impact of the program and identify avenues for improvement.
Using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods, including leading-edge "Best Worst Scaling" and "Discrete Choice Analysis", the research revealed the significant impact of Primary Connections on teachers of primary science. Their feedback about the effectiveness of the resources, and their enthusiasm to employ Primary Connections in their science teaching, show that teachers value Primary Connections highly.
Prepared for the Steering Committee of Primary Connections, Australian Academy of Science.
Community-based sandfish sea ranching in the Philippines: Exploring social factors influencing success
Associate Professor Michael Fabinyi
Sandfish (Holothuria scabra) are a type of sea cucumber found in tropical regions that command high market prices when dried and processed.
In the context of declining capture fisheries in many locations, mariculture of sandfish has been supported by governments and researchers as a way to contribute to coastal livelihoods. Significant advances have been made regarding the technical challenges of sea cucumber mariculture. However, challenges remain in how to effectively integrate this technology with local livelihood and governance contexts.
This technical report documents key lessons learned from a long-term program of community-based sandfish mariculture in the Philippines, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. The report assesses the experiences of eight sites across the Philippines, exploring the conditions under which community-based sandfish mariculture can be effectively sustained. While in many cases sandfish mariculture delivered positive ecological and social outcomes, finding ways to improve economic outcomes is a priority for future sea ranching efforts.
