Researching Futures

Researching Futures is a research and facilitation group established to respond to the changing social, economic and political environments of regional Australia. Researching Futures examines these environments, and use the results of that examination to inform policy developments and new practices from an action research perspective, with a focus on the Geelong region and surrounding municipalities. It has a track record for applied research spanning the interaction of education/training, health/wellbeing and economic development/employment sectors.
 

Researching Futures has 5 key research areas:
Research Area 1:      Accessing Futures through the Secondary Years of Education
Research Area 2:      Regional Development and Innovation – Acquiring the Knowledge and Skills for the Future
Research Area 3:      Capability Development of Educators and Trainers – Becoming Facilitators of Knowledge Era Citizens of the Future
Research Area 4:      Organisational Change – Transforming Educational Institutions into Demand Responsive and Future Agenda-Setting Organisations
Research Area 5:      Industry & Business Sector/Education & Training Sector Partnerships – Seamless Education & Training Provision of the Future

Some examples of past projects include:

Armstrong Creek Coordinated Community Infrastructure Delivery Project: Integrated Education, Health and Community Services Plan for Armstrong Creek Urban Growth Area, 2011.  Funded by Dept. of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) and Dept. of Health (DoH) through G21.  The purpose of the Project was to involve groups anticipated to be providing services through the education & training and health & community service facilities proposed for the Armstrong Creek Urban Growth Area (ACUGA). The intended outcome of the Project was to build agreed understandings and commitments from stakeholders around service delivery and governance models.

Young People with Health Conditions – Staying Engaged during Senior Years of Secondary Education Project, Royal Children’s Hospital Education Institute & Foundation for Young Australians, 2010.

Corio Norlane Urban Renewal Project: Integrated Education Analysis, 2009.  Funded by Dept. of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) through Major Projects Victoria and G21.  The purpose of the project was to develop an integrated education model for the Corio/Norlane area.

Corio Norlane Urban Renewal Project - Strategic Investment Social Plan, Major Projects Victoria for Department of Planning & Community Development, 2009.