Freshen up for Research Advisory Forums

The format of the CRC’s popular Research Advisory Forums (RAFs) will be refreshed this year to better reflect the advanced stage of most of the core research program.

The format for the forums has evolved many times since the CRC began in 2013 to reflect the current needs of the research. The latest change will allow a greater focus on the utilisation of research according to themes, rather than the current focus on individual projects. The new smaller and more targeted format will be reduced from two days to one day and the number of forums each year will rise from two to seven.

This new approach recognises the strong links and understanding that has been developed within projects and will extend that engagement to promote broader links between projects. It will promote discussions involving a more diverse but focused group of stakeholders. One of the expected outcomes will be greater clarity on the ways in which the CRC’s research can be utilised within end-user organisations and what needs to be done to achieve that outcome.

To support this initiative, the CRC Board has increased the funding available for utilisation projects on the understanding that the transition from research outcomes to changed practices and policies requires not only insight, but a commitment of time and effort. It is anticipated that the new-look forums will provide the CRC and its partners with much greater clarity on the priority areas for investment in utilisation.

The dates for the RAF meetings in 2019 are being finalised. To make the best use of everyone’s time they will be aligned with existing meetings where possible, including AFAC working groups and conferences.

Planned RAF dates for 2019 are:

• Northern Australia - natural hazards, people and economics
  Tuesday 2 April, Darwin
  (adjoining the Northern Australia Fire Managers Forum)
• Bushfire mitigation: prescribed burning, carbon, fuel and land management
  Monday 29 April, pre-conference workshop at the Fire Behaviour and Fuels Conference, Sydney.
• Workforce 2030: workforce, volunteering and readiness for new and emerging technologies
  Wednesday 8 May, Melbourne
  (linked to AFAC volunteer and workforce management groups)
• Fire predictive services; understanding and measuring the risk and behaviour of fires across the landscape
  Date TBA
  (will be linked to AFAC Predictive Services Group meeting)
• Thought leadership; economics, policy and planning       
  June 2019, Canberra
  (linked to 12th Australasian Natural Hazards Management Conference)
• Improving outcomes for people; communications, community engagement and recovery
  Tuesday 24 September, Hobart
  (linked to AFAC CETG meeting)
• Extreme weather; predicting, modelling and managing its impacts
  Date TBA
  Townsville

 For more information contact either Research Director Dr John Bates or Research Utilistation Manager Dr Matt Hayne.