Using research? Learning from experience

This article first appeared in the Autumn 2016 edition of Fire Australia magazine. By Brenda Leahy, Communications Officer, AFAC. 

This latest AFAC case study details how a tool to channel social networks for resilience building initiatives made its way from research to practice in diverse, hazard-prone communities across Australia.

While the path to adoption differs for all research utilisation initiatives, the stories shared by end users and researchers reveal some practical tips and firsthand insights about what was needed for successful utilisation to occur as well as the different ways that research influences thinking and changes in practice.

These include:

• End user involvement - Ensure industry needs inform the research plan and process.
• Communication - Tailor communication to maximise understanding of the science and its applications.
• Learning and development - Providing professional development with hands on experiences to help prospective users gain a feel for how it works and how to “make it their own”.

Following/below is an edited extract of the case study. The full case can be downloaded at the AFAC website. 

Case study: Taking Charge of Risk - Networking Towards Resilience

Why are people in some fire-prone communities more prepared for bushfire threat than others?

According to research, it may be determined by ‘who you know’ as much as ‘what you know’.

RMIT University researchers for the Bushfire CRC set out to understand social networks – the formal and informal ways that people connect, relate, organise, influence, communicate and share resources – and how they can potentially be channelled for scalable and sustainable preparedness and resilience building initiatives.

Overall, the research confirmed that people rely heavily on trusted relationships in their networks for information and recommended that emergency management organisations, in particular fire and land management agencies, promote the importance of being linked into a local “network”. Agencies could also play a key role in encouraging, linking and supporting these vital networks.

The main idea is that well connected or socially networked individuals and their communities are well positioned to take charge of their safety and buffer the impact when disaster strikes. These local networks hold the key to identifying and targeting information and resources and to using the power of positive peer-to-peer influence to identify and manage their share of the risk, as well as their valued social, economic and ecological assets.

Among its key findings, the Bushfire CRC study concluded that a householder might have a well prepared property and a fire plan, but could still potentially be at risk if disconnected from local social networks. These networks, which can operate formally, informally and spontaneously, serve a range of crucial functions for preparedness and recovery, including channelling critical information and the targeting and sharing of resources before, during and after disasters.

Building on case studies and interviews conducted in Tasmania in 2012, as well as earlier studies in Victoria, the research team, led by Dr Yoko Akama, a communication design specialist at RMIT, delivered an innovative social network analysis approach, purpose-designed for application in bushfire management, but relevant to all hazards.

The evidence-based approach provides the theory as well as practical tools, frameworks and skill sets to identify, understand and map social networks, address gaps and vulnerability, create links and start conversations about what can be done to prepare for and recover from disasters.

Numerous emergency service organisations, including fire and land management agencies, nongovernment organisations (NGOs) and councils in hazard-prone communities across Australia have used the approach, which was initially embedded in a workshop as part of a unit within the Advanced Diploma of Public Safety offered by the former Australian Emergency Management Institute (AEMI).

About 400 practitioners from across the sector have undertaken the course with numerous participants adopting the social network analysis approach to design and deliver engagement and education programs tailored to the unique demands of their communities.

Among its conclusions, the researchers and end-users advise:

• Communicate your work far and wide to engage and actively involve end users.
• Inform your approach from end user insights and feedback.
• Develop practical, accessible, visual tools and resources that engage end users.
• Help end users adapt the research outcomes for their practices.
• Provide hands-on learning and development.

This case study is part of a series of cases co-developed by AFAC and its member agencies and partners. With the aim to share examples of evidence-based practice and principles to support and promote research utilisation capability.  For further information on research utilisation contact Noreen.krusel@afac.com.au. 

For further information on the research, contact Dr Yoko Akama on yoko.akama@rmit.edu.au.