Research

We work closely with our clients to undertake research projects, studies, reviews and needs analysis on a variety of topics. We draw on a range of methods to deliver these projects in the most effective way possible. These include:

• surveys - large and small-scale​
• interviews
• focus groups and guided discussions
• literature reviews

The first step in any project is to clarify and refine the research questions asked to ensure they are aligned to the needs of the client.

Our research outputs are typically used to inform planning and review of programs, projects and services delivered by clients across the public, private and community sectors.

Examples of current and past projects

These projects have been completed using a variety of methods. These are noted within each description.

Sustainable cafe study
CERES and Moreland Energy Foundation Limited

First Person Consulting worked with MEFL and CERES to research the enablers and barriers to creating a truly sustainable café. The goal of the study was to explore the different measures that underpin a 'sustainable' café and use these to identify options for CERES for future planning. Such options could include changes to the menu, equipment upgrades or practice changes. The results of the study were compiled in a report that documented these options, their ease of implementation (i.e. is it a major change or a simple one) and suggestions for prioritisation.

Case Studies of the Community Partnership Program
Victorian Blackberry taskforce

Introduced to Australia in the 1800s, European blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) can reduce biodiversity; encumber agricultural production and impact on a landscape’s aesthetics and social value. Blackberry is estimated to cost approximately $100 million per year in control and lost production. The Taskforce’s Community Partnership Program seeks to empower communities in their blackberry control efforts and to foster collaboration between community members, government and other organisations. FPC worked with VBT to develop case studies that describe the economic, environmental and social impacts of the Program at the individual and landscape scale and to promote the benefits and lessons of the approach.

Citizen Science Survey - Waterwatch and Estuarywatch
Corangamite CMA

FPC was engaged by Corangamite CMA to undertake an online survey of volunteers participating in the Waterwatch and EstuaryWatch citizen science programs. The purpose of the survey was to contribute to the mid-term reviews of the two programs by understanding what volunteers expect and value in relation to the current programs, identify challenges and opportunities for improvments and provide recommendations to further integrate community engagement with waterway management outcomes.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) Survey and accommodation services Survey (2016, 2017, 2018)
La trobe university

La Trobe University has over 35,000 students and seven campuses across Victoria. FPC designed and implemented a whole-of-university student survey examining the perceptions and feedback of student services and on-campus accommodation. In addition to quantitative data on the perceived value and importance of these services, qualitative data on ideas in relation to new engagement methods and student services was also sought. Over each of the three rounds (2016, 2017 and 2018) the survey received between 5,000 and 6,000 responses, incorporating dozens of quantitative questions and over 10,000 open-ended comments. Each year these were distilled down into a set of key tracking metrics and a meaningful selection of suggestions and recommendations for La Trobe University to act on in relation to the use of SSAF funding..

Hazelwood recovery program - community network analysis
​EPA Victoria

​​Starting in early 2013 and burning for several weeks, the Hazelwood mine fire created large volumes of smoke and ash that led to a range of social and environmental problems in the Latrobe Valley. EPA Victoria worked during the incident to monitor and manage potential impacts of the fire. A key component of this was community engagement and communication. Under the Hazelwood Recovery Program, EPA Victoria worked to improve its connections to the Latrobe Valley community and be clearer in its communications. FPC undertook a review of EPA Victoria's community engagement approach. This involved gathering data from over a 100 different community members, many of whom were key members of local community groups. The result was a series of recommendations to EPA Victoria on their engagement approaches and a network map of the connections between community groups in the region, including where and how they sourced their information.

Organisational MERI Review
​North Central CMA

First Person Consulting worked with North Central Catchment Management Authority to review their organisational monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement approach. This included engaging with the CMA’s management team to review their processes and identify critical gaps, with the aim to develop recommendations to support adoption and integration of MERI practices across the organisation.

Food waste avoidance study
Bayside City Council

​Food waste has massive environmental and economic impacts, with households being a major contributor of food waste in Victoria. First Person Consulting, working with Roberts Evaluation, undertook research into the causes of food waste in households through an extensive literature review and primary data collection in Bayside. Using the results recommendations on approaches to encourage the avoidance of household food waste were provided to inform future program design.

Emergency Water Supply Points Update
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

​Victoria has approximately 300 Emergency Water Supply Points (EWSPs) spread throughout the state. These points provide the community with alternative water during times of extreme drought. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning maintain a database of EWSPs and an interactive map for providing information to the community. First Person Consulting canvassed the views of over 60 councils and water management companies across Victoria to help update DELWP’s database and prioritise the need for new or upgraded infrastructure. FPC also provided colour-coded maps of the State to depict the councils that were a higher or lower priority for this infrastructure, thus contributing to DELWP ability to plan effectively.

Park NEighbour PEst Management Survey
Natural Resources Commission (NSW)

​The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) are currently reviewing the management of pest animals across all land tenures in NSW. To help assess the impacts of pest animals in and around National Parks and Reserves, the NRC commissioned First Person Consulting to survey neighbours of select parks across the Western district of the state. Building on an earlier survey in 2015, we interviewed 46 neighbours of National Parks, Nature Reserves and State Conservation Areas to document their views of and approach to pest control. The information will help the NRC understand the priorities, challenges and opportunities for park neighbours and act as a point of comparison for the evaluation of the Supplementary Pest Control Trial being run by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Landcare census annual survey
​Landcare TAsmania​

​First Person Consulting is currently working with Landcare Tasmania to assist in the design and distribution of an annual survey to its member base - which includes over 180 active member groups and individuals working towards improving the health of Tasmania’s natural and productive landscapes. With a diverse and widely-distributed volunteer and supporter network, it is important for Landcare Tasmania to establish and maintain an in-depth understanding of its community members, what is important to them, and the value of their work.
We are providing advice, research support and mentoring services to Landcare Tasmania staff to help them with questionnaire design, survey distribution and data analysis.The outcomes of our work together will enable Landcare Tasmania to build their social research capacity and successfully deliver the survey in coming years.

World Suicide Prevention dAy Campaign Thematic Analysis
Movember foundation

​World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) takes place on 10 September each year. In 2016, the Movember Foundation (‘Movember’) delivered a suicide prevention campaign to coincide with WSPD to raise the profile of Movember’s men’s health focus, the issues they tackle and to encourage men to stay socially connected and talk, especially when things get tough. To help inform future campaigns, Movember engaged FPC to analyse the comments and conversations that took place on different social media platforms. The result of this work will inform planning for future mental health and suicide prevention campaigns targeting men, capturing the terminology that resonates with men and providing evidence for what and how Movember heard during the campaign.

Regional engagement network Social network analysis
Department of Environment, Land, water and Planning

​FPC were engaged to trial an innovative method of mapping the engagement networks in a regional area. A key interest was in understanding and documenting those in the network, where there were linkages and common interests, and the nature or quality of the relationships between them.  Importantly, it was critical to set up this process in a way that could provide a basis for tracking change over time. The DELWP Engagement framework requires a way to measure and report on the promise that DELWP understands the community networks and is building stronger relationships. To pilot this approach, staff from the Loddon Mallee Engagement Network took part in a collaborative and iterative process, starting with the scoping of what was required, what the system was (the boundaries), who would be included (the actors), and how the relationships or connections could be defined and captured in a useful way. Through workshops, feedback, and online sessions, a process was developed, resulting in a series of interactive online network maps. This included a range of stakeholders, including various levels of government, individuals, community groups and other organisations. The online format of the systems mapping software (www.Kumu.io) was easily shared, and useful for gathering the input of others. As such, this was seen favourably as a means of documenting the system, communicating progress, and gaining further input to track and reflect on this change. 

Systems thinking for behaviour change for waste, electrical and electronic equipment
Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (UK)

Electronic and electrical waste is a massive environmental issue in the UK. DEFRA, wanting to explore alternative approaches to understanding how to drive behaviour change, engaged FPC to design and deliver a mentoring program to implement the System Effects methodology. Through a series of tutorials and training sessions, DEFRA staff designed and implemented the System Effects method to map the barriers and enablers to seeking repair of small electronic goods.

You can find the report on the DEFRA website.

If you need any help with research projects or studies please get in touch with our expert team to discuss.