New pathways to policy impact: Engaging in the changing environmental policy and legislative landscape

On behalf of Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures and the School of Environment in the Faculty of Science, we invite you to attend an interactive online seminar about Engaging in the changing environmental policy and legislative landscape.

A variety of government commitments, policies, strategies, frameworks and legislation -- including a new Resource Management Act -- govern how Aotearoa’s natural environment is managed and used.

How can university researchers play a role?

Find out ways your research might help inform policy and practice in an interactive discussion with Dr Alison Collins, the Chief Science Advisor of the Ministry for the Environment, Professor Ken Hughey, the Chief Science Advisor of the Department of Conservation and Dr Jonathan Benge, Kaiwhakahaere - Rangahau me te Arotake, Manager Research and Evaluation in the Auckland Council’s Research and Evaluation Unit.

Our Speakers:

Dr Alison Collins, the Chief Science Advisor of the Ministry for the Environment

Alison spent 12 years working for Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, leading a portfolio of science around ecosystems, soils, land use and informatics. During her time with Manaaki Whenua, Alison worked with regional councils and central government agencies to understand and prioritise their science needs. She also worked with the science community to find ways in which to facilitate better uptake and use of science. In this capacity she established and became director of a centre for integrating data and science-based tools, facilitating clear and engaging communication.

Alison joined MfE in August 2017. Her role is focused on ensuring ‘valued and trusted science for environmental stewardship’. On a day-to-day basis this means translating complex science, helping to navigating the science system so decision-makers can better access and use the excellent research being done, and building capability at the science to policy interface.

Professor Ken Hughey, the Chief Science Advisor of the Department of Conservation

Ken Hughey is the Department of Conservation’s Chief Science Advisor (CSA) and is on a 3-day per week secondment from Lincoln University where he is Professor of Environmental Management.

His work involves elements of science strategy and influence across the science sector. Key central government relationships are with MBIE, MPI and MfE, and with external providers including Crown Research Institutes, namely NIWA, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, GNS and Scion, and universities and national science challenges.

Ken’s work straddles the range of Departmental conservation functions including biodiversity and recreation and tourism. Particular priorities in 2020-21 have been in providing for DOC’s weather forecasting needs, providing expert evidence in support of a water conservation order application for the Ngaruroro River in Hawkes Bay, the science of population trends in Himalayan tahr, co-governance of the kauri and myrtle ora science spaces, and how to determine well-being benefits from the government’s Jobs for Nature initiatives.

Dr Jonathan Benge, Kaiwhakahaere - Rangahau me te Arotake, Manager Research and Evaluation in the Auckland Council’s Research and Evaluation Unit.

Jonathan is an environmental leader with extensive experience in consent management for large infrastructure and construction projects, and has substantial experience in environmental assessment, ecological survey and assessment, project management and education/training.

Jonathan previously held leadership positions at the NZ Environmental Protection Authority and in environmental management at Auckland Council.