Evidence-led insight for place-based decisions that hold up to scrutiny
Our Think Tank delivers the rigorous social and environmental research that regional leaders need to understand their communities, align priorities, and surface the evidence required for regenerative change.
Turning research into meaningful outcomes for place is a complex challenge
Responding to regional transitions demands research that is as nuanced as the places themselves. Regional leaders consistently tell us they need:
• A defensible evidence base to guide strategy and resource allocation.
• Deeper community insights that go beyond surface-level data.
• Demonstrable benefits to satisfy funders, partners, and the public.
Too often, however, research remains siloed, objectives are unclear, and community engagement generates data without building the social license required for action.
At a time when trust and funding are tied directly to evidence, this gap represents a significant risk.
Our Think Tank does things differently.
Using a place-based and regenerative lens, we transform research into a tool to:
• Understand places as living systems, uncovering hidden interdependencies.
• Align decision making with community values and lived experience.
• Translate the science into meaningful outcomes for people, place, and nature.
Who our Think Tank is for — and when it matters most
We partner with organisations working in service to place, including:
- Local and regional governments navigating policy changes.
- Destination and visitor economy organisations balancing growth with the protection of place.
- Community and not-for-profit organisations advancing environmental and social initiatives.
- Business leaders influencing regional development and investment.
Our Think Tank is most valuable when:
- You’re developing or refreshing a strategy, policy, or plan and need a defensible evidence base to inform high-stakes decisions.
- You’re navigating complex community views and need impartial research to build consensus and social license.
- Decisions carry significant reputational, financial, or social risks that require ‘audit-grade’ insights.
- You’re working with place-based, regenerative approaches and need fit-for-purpose research to turn vision into action.
How we work — and why it's different
We exist to close the gap between evidence, strategy, and action. Our Think Tank delivers applied, place-based research that helps leaders navigate complexity, justify decisions, and move forward with confidence.
What sets us apart.
Research designed for real decisions
We design our research around specific decision points, integrating social, environmental, and economic data so findings are immediately usable, defensible, and timely.
Deep, place-based expertise
Led by PhD researchers, we combine environmental and social science with the ‘boots-on-the-ground’ experience needed to make data work in the real world.
From knowledge to understanding
Data alone doesn’t change minds; understanding does. We help you make sense of the ‘why’ behind the numbers, building internal buy-in and external trust.
Not just research — a critical friend
We provide independent, rigorous oversight. We ask the difficult questions, helping you test assumptions, manage risk, and avoid unintended consequences.
Our research approach in a nutshell
Our research capability includes quantitative and qualitative analysis, mixed-methods design, community engagement, policy and strategy, and other technical skills. But when it comes down to our approach, we like to keep things simple.
Click the arrows to see how we make technical research easy, practical, and actionable.
Define the place-based challenge
Design the research approach
What evidence is needed, and how do we gather it?
Collect and analyse data
What does the evidence reveal?
Interpret the findings
What insights emerge for people and place?
Present findings + recommendations
What does this mean — and what comes next?
Our research services
Our research services make up the reveal phase of our RISE process. Grounded in place-based approaches and regenerative development, it helps organisations understand complex places, align priorities, and act with confidence.
Flip the cards to learn about each service.
Place-Based Research
When you need a strong evidence base to move forward
We design place-based research to build robust evidence about your community. Using rigorous qualitative and quantitative methods, we turn uncertainty into confident, defensible action.
Ideal for: Corporate Plans · Social Policy · Sustainability Strategies · Development Applications
Community Insight and Engagement
When policies, programs, and initiatives must align with community values
We go beyond surface-level data to understand what communities genuinely care about. We reveal the underlying values, aspirations, and concerns that shape sentiment and build long-term social license.
Ideal for: Community Strategic Plans · Destination Management · High-Stakes Public Projects
Evidence Reviews and Best Practice
When you need to know what works (and why) before you act.
We conduct deep-dive literature reviews, regional scans, and best-practice analyses. We synthesise global insights to ensure your projects are grounded in proven models and the latest thinking.
Ideal for: Policy Development · Program Design · State-of-Play Reports
Systems Analysis
When challenges are complex, interconnected, and wicked.
We apply systems-thinking frameworks to reveal hidden relationships and feedback loops within a place. By mapping the “whole,” we identify the leverage points where interventions generate maximum impact.
Ideal for: Regional Transition Strategies · Multi-Stakeholder Challenges · Regenerative Initiatives
