Communication and Dialogue
Communication is central to just about any activity that humans undertake. It is certainly important in the dynamic fields of science and technology.
The specific focus of the communication pages found on this website is on communication across boundaries. By this we mean communication between groups of people who have different knowledge, experience and viewpoints.
The work here arises from experiences working with scientists, agency staff, NGOs, local government and community groups. People in these different groups are constantly involved in communication across boundaries both with people from other organisations and with people from different disciplines or backgrounds within their own organisation.
Cross boundary communication is often difficult. It can be difficult where there is conflict and it can be difficult when people are not inclined to listen to each other and it may not be working well even when we think it is OK. It is easy for two people to take quite different things away from a conversation even when it involved no conflict or disagreement. We may only realise this when these differences begin to matter.
Dialogue has been an important part of our work here at Landcare Research and is one way of communicating across many different boundaries in complex multistakeholder situations.
Education is part of this situation because in many instances this is what groups tend to turn to when they want others to learn something new.
Resources
The following provides a list of links to pages and reports that include
Web pages and popular articles
Understanding the link between communication and change.
Communication science: Reflecting on practice
Evaluating science communication activities
Some observations about the nature of communication
Setting Priorities in a National Science Programme
Taking the community with you: A process for developing acceptable pest control strategies. Karerehe Kino Issue 5 November 2004.
Reports
Allen, W.; Brown, K.; Gloag, T.; Morris, J.; Simpson, K.; Thomas, J.; Young, R. 1998: Building partnerships for conservation in the Waitaki/Mackenzie basins . Landcare Research Contract Report LC9899/033, Lincoln, New Zealand.
Harmsworth, G. 2001: A collaborative research model for working with iwi: discussion paper. Landcare Reseacrch contract report LC 2001/119. Landcare Research, New Zealand.
Hayes, L.; Horn, C.; Lyver, P. 2004: Taking the community with you: a process for developing acceptable pest control strategies. New Zealand Science Review 61 (3-4) p66-68.
Horn, C. & Kilvington, M. (2002) Māori and 1080. [Landcare Research] URL http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/social/1080.asp
Lyver, Phil; Hayes, Lynley & Horn, Chrys (2004). A process for enhancing dialogue on biosecurity issues.
(974 kb) Landcare Research Contract Report LC0304/132, prepared for the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, Wellington, New Zealand.
Lyver, Phil, Hayes, Lynley & Horn, Chrys (2006). Using dialogue to develop a more robust regional pest management strategy (258kb) – Final Report 2005-2006. Landcare Research Contract Report LC0506/060 prepared for New Zealand Science and Technology Dialogue Fund.
Kilvington, M.; Horn C.; 2006: Mountains to the Sea: Reflections on an arts and science collaboration about the Motueka River Catchment. 
Published by the Manaaki Whenua/ Landcare Research Mountains to the Sea Project.
Page last updated: October 2008