Water perspectives: outcomes of an expert workshop scoping social and institutional research questions in support of the implementation of the National Water Initiative

A workshop convened by Land and Water Australia (LWA) (formally Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation (LWRRDC)) in May 2005 brought together a range of social science experts to discuss opportunities for social and institutional research, including the synthesis of existing knowledge, to contribute to the National Water Initiative (NWI). Ten priority areas for social and institutional research and synthesis included integrated assessment of the impacts of policy and water allocation changes, water plans and accreditation, linkages between rural and urban water systems, Indigenous perspectives, new frameworks of law and regulation, values and communication, auditing and review, water markets pricing and trading, environmental water allocations and institutional roles, responsibilities and capacities. A brief summary of each of the issues defines the challenge, and identifies appropriate research priorities for investigation.