A University of Tasmania academic is spearheading a new international project aimed at improving sustainable regional development outcomes in Australia and South America by forging cross-disciplinary partnerships.

Associate Professor Robyn Eversole, Director of the Institute for Regional Development, has been successful in securing more than $50,000 in federal funding to establish the Sustainable Regions Applied Research Network (SRARN), which brings together University researchers and academics from across Australia, Chile and Argentina.

The project is supported by the Australian Government through the Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR) of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The network aims to grow global collaboration among researchers who are working on sustainable regional development issues, while also assisting them in identifying innovative ways to make a greater impact in their own part of the world.

Associate Professor Eversole has just returned to Tasmania following a visit to South America where she met with academic organisations and government bodies including representatives of the Chilean International Cooperation Agency, the Argentinean Department of the Interior and the Chilean and Argentinean Regional Studies Associations.

“Regional researchers in Chile and Argentina, like many in Australia, are working closely with their community and industry stakeholders to tackle significant regional development issues,” Associate Professor Eversole said.

“Many are grappling with issues very similar to those we face here in Tasmania such as developing sustainable local industries, addressing social inequity and inter-generational disadvantage, and meeting the needs of small communities distant from the centres of decision-making.

“The Sustainable Regions Applied Research Network will create opportunities for knowledge partnering across different regions, catalysing practical learning and on-the-ground benefits for regional communities here in Tasmania, and also elsewhere.”

University of Tasmania academics will take part in the project through the recently formed Regional Research Network which is providing a series of opportunities for researchers to develop impact-focused projects and link in with other regional researchers working on similar topics elsewhere.

Information and upcoming developments relating to SRARN will be posted on the network’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SRARN/