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/