Collaborative learning
Introduction
Sculpture. Kanazawa, Japan. Image – A. Wanrooy
Social or collaborative learning acknowledges that each interest group brings different information, values, capacities, perspectives, methods of learning, and stores of historical experience to any problem situation. In essence collaborative learning is integration of these diverse knowledge bases in ways that advance the collective decision-making capability of all.
Natural resource managers are increasingly faced with highly complex problems, multiple social perspectives, high levels of uncertainty, and low levels of agreement on causes, solutions and desired outcomes. Often there are no final solutions that 'fix' a problem. The emphasis on learning, or adaptive management and policy-making, helps stakeholder groups appreciate different perspectives, as well as addressing the dynamism of social and environmental systems.
What can help decision making in these contexts is technical information from science and other groups (e.g. reports, simulation models), and strategic planning exercises to establish goals and policies. For these to be effective, however, they need to be underpinned by collaborative learning processes that involve diverse stakeholders in appropriate ways, and so help to develop a shared understanding and the adoption of more sustainable practices.
Research in this area identifies factors, tools and processes that support constructive collaboration and social interaction in natural resource management. The end-users of our work include science programmes; local, regional and national government agencies; iwi; NGOs; and other community leaders.
Research areas
Primary contact: Alison Greenaway
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Primary contact: Tamsin Rees
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Primary contact: Alison Greenaway
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Primary contact: Alison Greenaway
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Primary contact: Garth Harmsworth
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Primary contact: Alison Greenaway
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Communication and dialogue
Education for environmental management
Evaluation and reflection
Knowledge management for integration
Social aspects of ecosystem management
Supporting collaborative approachesTools & Services
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Collaborating with iwi
Outlines key ingredients of successful collaborative research with iwi. It also describes some of the barriers to, and difficulties in, setting up collaborative research projects with Māori. -
Stakeholder analysis
A brief outline and guide for conducting an effective stakeholder analysis -
Team–building evaluation guide
A checklist for evaluating team performance
Primary contact
 | Garth Harmsworth Email  |
Landcare Research | |
Phone: +64 6 353 4800 |