Building relationships and the three P's of research utilisation

Get the stakeholders and prospective end-users on board early, cultivate and maximise networks and relationships and apply the three Ps: patience, pragmatism and persistence.

These insights on how to make research utilisation work well for you are highlighted in the latest Bushfire CRC research utilisation case study, Li’l Larikkins Bushfire Safety Stories for Kids, published by AFAC. Download the case study in full on the right.

This case study tracks the journey of multiple outputs from the ongoing research of RMIT University’s Dr Briony Towers for the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and its predecessor, the Bushfire CRC from research to policy and practice.

Originally inspired by her Bushfire CRC-sponsored PhD project, the research outputs have been embedded in a range of national initiatives including two 10-part series of safety message videos for children, featuring Li’l Larikkins characters; curriculum programs for school-based bushfire and disaster education; a Bushfire CRC ebook to equip parents to involve their children in making bushfire plans; a practice framework (in effect, a ‘how to’ guide) for working in children’s emergency and disaster education; and many presentations at forums.

As the case study was prepared, Dr Towers was collaborating with the South Australian Country Fire Service and the Department for Education and Child Development to produce bushfire education resources for schools in areas that had been recently exposed to bushfire.

The case study includes insights from CFS'sPeta O’Donohue, CFA's Ellisa Bourne, NSW SES's Andrew Richards and AFAC's Amanda Leck.

As well as Li’l Larikkins Bushfire Safety Stories for Kids, there are plenty of additional Li’l Larikkins resources available for download, as well as the Bushfire CRC ebook, Making a bushfire plan: Involve your kids!

Other case studies can be found on the research utilisation page of the AFAC website.