National Environmental Research Program
Communications Strategy – Attachment D
Conferences and Events Protocol
Contents
1. Purpose of this protocol
2. Annual Conferences

CERF Conferences

NERP Conferences
3. Other targeted workshops and events
4. Links to Hub and Program Communication Plans
Purpose of the Protocol
The National Environmental Research Program (NERP) will promote excellence in research through
funding world class, innovative, multi-disciplinary research that supports the conservation and
management of Australia’s biodiversity and ecosystems. To do this, it is vital that the research is
positioned to enable Australian Government environmental managers to base their decisions on the
best available evidence. Through its experience in administering the Commonwealth Environment
Research Facilities (CERF) Program, the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water,
Population and Communities has found that targeted events provide one of the most effective and
efficient methods for disseminating information and ensuring the gap between research and policy in
environmental decision making is bridged. Targeted events can include highly specialised
presentations or workshops with particular line areas, or large conferences aimed at a broader
audience.
Annual Conferences
An annual NERP Conference will be one of the primary whole-of-program synthesis activities. The
NERP Conference will include all NERP hubs and as many end users as possible. It is envisaged to
follow a similar format to the successful CERF Conferences. To date, CERF conferences have
focused on the Minister and DSEWPaC (formerly DEWHA) as the target audience. The NERP
Conference will initially target broader Australian Government end-users and it is hoped that this will
be expanded as the program matures. A work plan will be developed for each annual conference.
CERF Conferences
CERF conferences were held annually from 2007-10. All focused on bringing together key CERF
researchers and DEWHA officers, but also included some participants from other Australian
Government environmental agencies. The Conferences provided an opportunity for researchers to
explain and highlight the use of their research projects, as well as provide a forum for DEWHA officers
to articulate key policy issues. This provided researchers and policy-makers with an opportunity to
share results, discuss next steps and identify opportunities for collaboration and data-sharing.
These conferences were particularly useful in exposing DEWHA policy officers to CERF research and
tools which could support better policy decision making. The inclusion of senior departmental
executives, who presented key research questions and challenges for discussion was particularly
useful. There were substantial overlaps between CERF research and policy knowledge gaps, as
would be expected given the project selection process. For example, Caring for our Country was
strongly supported by the research undertaken by Applied Environmental Decision Analysis hub and
the Investment Framework for Environmental Resources (INFFER).
NERP conferences
September 2011
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A conference will be held each year as a forum for researchers to present their findings and research
products to end-users, and for end-users (particularly Australian Government environment portfolio
agencies) to articulate their research needs. The format for this conference may change over the life
of the program. DSEWPaC will maintain responsibility for managing this conference, but will seek to
involve the research providers and partner organisations to the greatest degree possible. It is hoped
that the audience for the conference will expand over the life of the program.
It is expected that to the greatest degree possible, NERP conferences (and other NERP-funded
events, including those organised by hubs) will be as accessible as possible to all stakeholders. The
department will consider proposals to charge registration/attendance fees for conferences and/or other
events if it can be demonstrated that this will improve planning or logistics. The use of any proceeds
from NERP or hub events should be approved by the Director of the Scientific Research and
Information Section of the department and not be used to supplement conference expenses or
hospitality without prior approval.
Other targeted workshops, conferences, field days, etc
As primary sponsors of the NERP, DSEWPaC is very supportive of activities which increase the profile
of NERP hubs and the program as a whole. The NERP will not be successful if its outputs have no
influence on Australian Government environment policy or programs. Under the CERF program,
Australian Government decision makers were particularly receptive to events and presentations from
researchers which were clearly targeted to their needs. Such opportunities include:

workshops and seminars with specific focus groups within environment portfolio agencies to work
on priority policy and program issues – this allows researchers and policy-makers to directly
exchange knowledge and bridge cultural gaps;

face to face meetings between key relevant researchers and policy-makers on specific policy
issues; and

conferences or field days which are aimed at a broad cross-section of stakeholders. Such broadaudience events allow information to be widely disseminated, while facilitating the building of
professional networks across agencies.
These events will provide for both the dissemination of information and the provision of feedback that
may influence the direction of future work by both parties. The Scientific Research and Information
Section within DSEWPaC is eager to help facilitate researcher interaction with government
stakeholders.
Events may be conducted by Hubs independently or in collaboration, or conducted across the entire
NERP. Engagement with other research institutions and programs is also to be encouraged. All events
need to be developed and organised for content and logistics, and this should form part of each Hub’s
Science Communication Plan. All Hub representation at presentations, seminars, conferences,
workshops, etc should be consistent with the rest of the NERP Communications Strategy, including
the Styleguide and Publications and Media Protocol.
Links to Hub and Program Communication Plans
All planned events, including the annual NERP conference, separate or combined hub conferences,
workshops, presentations, etc, as well as Hub Steering Committee, Working Group and other
significant researcher / policy meetings should be included in each Hub’s Science Communication
Plan. This will allow opportunity for hubs to collaborate in their events and communications activities
and the department to publicise events within the environment portfolio.
Where the event involves researchers and the Australian Government and / or multiple hubs, the
department should be notified to allow incorporation in the NERP program-level Communication Plan
and publication on the NERP website. The hub and or relevant researchers should liaise with the
relevant DSEWPaC Hub Liaison Officer.
September 2011
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