Roles of Paradigm and Applications Working Groups

The February 2004 Network Planning Workshop held as part of the planning process to establish RNSISS identified initial priority areas for theoretical and methodological research facilitation to develop SISS in Australia, along with key applications for SISS research, as discussed below Action to pursue those priorities occurs through the four Paradigm Working Groups and the five Applications Working Groups—the ‘intellectual drivers’ of the Network—to formulate and facilitate the Network-initiated externally funded projects research in SISS. That will generate the research ‘value adding’ contribution of RNSISS.

All Working Groups have joint Convenors (names given in the following sections) to facilitate the sharing of responsibilities and the development of management experience and leadership skills of a number of ERCs. The 18 convenors will contribute in-kind 10% to Network activities. Network participants will join one or more Working Group.

The Paradigm Working Groups

1. Socio-spatial theory [Convenors: O’Neill and McGuirk (ECR) U Newcastle].
2. Methodologies, tools and techniques [Convenors: Mitchell U Newcastle and Baum (ECR) UQ].
3. Scenarios and forecasting [Convenors: Sorensen UNE and Pettit (ECR) RMITU].
4. Data sources, data quality and data integration [Convenors: M Western U Qld and Hugo U Adel].

The Applications Working Groups

1. National and regional socio-economic change [Convenors: O’Connor U Melbourne and Harding U Canb].
2. Population, economic and information flows [Convenors: Bell and Wilson (ECR) U Qld].
3. Social and economic networks [Convenors: Pattison and Robins (ECR) U Melb].
4. Regional development and community capacity building [Convenors: Beer Flinders U and Martin (ECR) RMITU].
5. Behaviour and well-being in socio-spatial settings [Convenors: Owen U Qld, Beard Southern Cross U].