Join in a conversation to consider where we might collectively contribute to better place-based research in 2027.

In September, more than 50 people met in Stanthorpe for the Place-Based Research Forum on Day 3 of Social Impact in the Regions 2026.

In November, Conversation 1 shared what we heard and featured Professor Tim Reddel from the University of Queensland’s Institute for Social Science Research.

Participants in both sessions set out what they want to see over the next 12 months. This session continues the conversation by inviting contributions to a roadmap through 2027.

Six themes have emerged from what has been said so far.  These areas are not set in stone and will be refined in continued conversation:

• Community research agreements: the relationship between community, researcher and commissioner, including data sovereignty and custodianship, payment for community time and return of findings.
• Mapping and inclusion: a shared understanding of place-based research in Australia, including definitions, the roles of organisations and who is missing.
• Methods, measurement and evaluation: research methods suited to place, and evaluating the impact of place-based development.
• Capability and capacity: professional development, research infrastructure and a shared knowledge bank of case studies and lessons.
• Place-based research translation: moving research into policy and practice and scaling into other regions.
• External factors: how place-based research applies across demographics, sectors and change drivers such as industry, policy, technology and environment.

In this session we will:

• Meet, greet, and share insights, lessons, and aspirations
• Review each area for relevance, language, and validity
• Consider goals, partners, existing work, and possible practical activity over 12 months for each focus area.
• Test and workshop in small groups.
• Consider how you might want to participate in each focus area and overall: contribute, test the work in your place, review drafts or follow progress.
• Introduce a new approach to staying connected between meetings

Who it is for

• People who take part in place-based research in their community
• People who do place-based research in a university, consultancy, think tank, government agency or community organisation
• People who fund or commission place-based research
• People who use research to make decisions about programs, policy or investment

You don’t need to have attended the forum or Conversation 1.

The forum report, What We Heard, is available at https://socialimpactintheregions.com.au/please-based-research-forum-outcomes-a-conversation-and-shared-understanding/.

The recording and write-up from Conversation 1 are available here: https://socialimpactintheregions.com.au/place-based-research-convening-1-tim-reddel-and-80-years-of-place-based-research-and-siitr-forum-reflections/

Register for Conversation 2 at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/56COt4qDQWO2rWaMovLJWQ