The Centre for Biogeographical Research

Our Services

At the Centre for Biogeographical Research, we focus on providing a high quality, research-focused product by drawing on rigorous scientific methods and working intimately with our clients. Our staff have a range of experience and skills in the physical and social sciences.

Our key areas of service are:

Social Analysis | Data Management & Statistical Analysis | Soils & Water | Ecological Investigations | International Development | Community Engagement

Social Analysis

The Centre for Biogeographical Research has extensive experience in undertaking social research, particularly in relation to the natural environment. Our staff provide their clients with a unique combination of being both technically-strong in biophysical processes and social research approaches.

Staff at the Centre for Biogeographical Research individually tailor the research approach for each project from a number of key qualitative and quantitative techniques. The Centre for Biogeographical Research is recognised for providing innovative, robust and adaptable approaches to research projects, drawing on a host of techniques. These include:

• Questionnaire surveys;
• Field interviewing;
• Ethnographic studies;
• Discourse and content analyses; and
• Participative research approaches such as focus groups.

The range of experiences of our team include community needs and social impact assessments, behavioural and attitudinal change evaluations, and the development of community consultation and liaison plans.

Data Management and Statistical Analysis

The Centre for Biogeographical Research has an impressive level of experience in managing and analysing large complex data sets. Effective data management and solution-focussed data analysis are essential to making informed strategic decisions that can lead to significant cost savings and improved outcomes for both policy makers and commercial enterprises. The Centre for Biogeographical Research team offer data solutions within the following areas:

• Database development and management;
• Targeted Statistical analysis;
• Data Mining; and
• Spatial predictive modelling.

Soils and Water

The Centre for Biogeographical Research has recognised experiences in contaminated land and water assessment. This includes:

• Soil and water assessment;
• Geochemical and hydrologic modelling;
• Methodology development;
• Sampling optimisation;
• Contaminated site remediation; and
• Acid sulfate investigation.

Ecological Investigations

The Centre for Biogeographical Research team has solid experiences in ecological research with several investigations into the endangered Southern Brown Bandicoot and the endangered East Coast Banksia Scrub. Our staff have acted as expert witnesses in the NSW Land and Environment Court.

The Centre for Biogeographical Research provides clients with solutions, embedded within the principles of ecologically sustainable development, in the following areas:

• Ecological Impact Assessment;
  • Flora and Fauna Reports
  • Species Impact Statements
• Bushfire Hazard Assessments;
• Ecological modeling; and
• Biologic impact assessment.

International Development

The Centre for Biogeographical Research has expertise in large and small scale international development projects. Our team have a variety of specialist skills, knowledge and experience - spanning both the physical and social sciences. We have worked on a range projects within the Asia-Pacific region and published much of this in academic journals. This range of skills allows our team to provide expertise in a number of fields, including:

• Project coordination and management;
• Project design and implementation;
• Biophysical assessments and solutions;
• Social benchmarking, and socio-cultural impact assessments;
• Project auditing and evaluation; and
• Engagement and extension.

Our team have worked in a range of environments throughout the world, developing sustainable solutions to environmental problems with the added ability to provide industry leading social reporting. We understand that assessing the impacts of environmental works in developing nations requires socio-cultural research which is something that the Centre for Biogeographical Research prides itself on.

Community Engagement

For the majority of projects undertaken by the Centre for Biogeographical Research, community engagement is a vital and necessary component. As such, the research team at the Centre for Biogeographical Research have an extensive level of experience in the following key areas of engagement:

• Community consultation;
• Stakeholder participation;
• Extension activities; and
• Development of partnerships.

The range of staff experiences in community engagement at the Centre for Biogeographical Research have included individual consultations, facilitation of discussion groups, workshops and stakeholder meetings, open forums and public lectures.