CSRM is involved in delivering education and training focussed on social and community aspects of the resources sector to meet the needs of those involved in industry and other stakeholder organisations. The different options include postgraduate qualifications both by research and coursework, as well as specific and customised training courses.
Postgraduate Coursework Program in Community Relations (Resources Sector)
The University of Queensland, in conjunction with the Minerals Council of Australia, has developed a postgraduate program in Community Relations for the Resources Sector, which was offered for the first time in 2008. This now includes Graduate Certificate, Diploma and Masters options which include specialised coursework and the opportunity to undertake project work focussed on students' work environments. CSRM is managing this program on behalf of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences.
To enable students currently employed in the industry or living in remote and regional Australia and overseas to undertake the program, it is delivered primarily online, but with some intensive residential delivery including a five day compulsory residential component at the commencement of the program. The courses involved draw upon expertise across the University of Queensland’s Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences and the Sustainable Minerals Institute, plus the Australian National University’s Research School of Asia and Pacific Studies.
More information
Professional Development Short Courses and Workshops
CSRM has been involved in developing and delivering a number of short courses and workshops which focus on social and community aspects of resource developments. These are tailored to suit a range of stakeholders, from frontline CR practitioners to community representatives and industry executives. Recent examples include the following:
- "Building Productive Community Relationships for the Resources Sector: An Introduction to Principles and Practice". This three day workshop is delivered through SMI Training, and is intended to provide industry personnel with an increased understanding of the issues relating to community engagement, partnership building and community development, together with some basic skills that can be used in the workplace.
- Community Relations training in Mongolia - the Responsible Mining Initiative in Mongolia, and a supporting non-government organisation The Asia Foundation, have contracted with CSRM to deliver a 4-day training workshop for mining company community relations staff. The training is specifically tailored to introduce concepts of good practice around stakeholder identification, profiling and baselines; community engagement and dialogue skills; community development; and grievance and dispute handling.
- In May 2009, David Brereton and Deanna Kemp from CSRM travelled to Stellenbosch, near Cape Town in South Africa, to teach in a week-long workshop on “Becoming a Partner of Choice – Improving Anglo’s Development Outcomes”. The workshop was attended by over 30 Anglo American social practitioners and managers, plus several representatives of developmental NGOs, such as CARE and Save the Children. Attendees came from around the globe, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, DRC, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and The Philippines. The workshop is part of the Advanced Social Management Program, which CSRM and The Cambridge University Program for Sustainability Leadership have jointly developed for Anglo American and which is being offered for the first time in 2009.
We plan to continue to develop courses and training material to help build capacity across all stakeholder groups in the industry.
Postgraduate Research Opportunities
The CSRM, through its links with other Schools at the University of Queensland, is offering opportunities and support for eligible graduates to undertake research leading to a Master or Doctor of Philosophy.
Research areas where supervision can be provided include:
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workforce management practices within the minerals industry (such as the impact of different working time arrangements on employees and their families)
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relations between mining companies and Indigenous communities
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the socio-economic impacts of mining, including mine closures, on local communities
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monitoring and measurement of corporate social performance
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the implementation of sustainable development practices at company and site level
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evaluation of corporate community relations programs in the mining sector
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the business case for sustainable development and corporate social responsibility
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social and organisational factors affecting the uptake and transfer of new technology within the minerals industry.
For more details about postgraduate research opportunities at the CSRM, contact Professor David Brereton (d.brereton@smi.uq.edu.au). For general information about enrolling in higher degrees at the University of Queensland and scholarship opportunities, go to http://www.uq.edu.au/grad-school/?page=67036
If you are considering a postgraduate research degree, please contact the Sustainable Minerals Institute’s postgraduate administration office to discuss your area of research interest, scholarship and enrolment with:
A/Prof Dominic Howarth
Director of Graduate Studies
Phone: +61 7 3365 5863 | +61 7 3365 5888
Email: d.howarth@uq.edu.au
Or
Marilyn Wilckens
Postgraduate Research Administration Officer
Phone: +61 7 3346 4030
Email: m.wilckens@uq.edu.au
postgrad@smi.uq.edu.au
Please note that Australian students are exempt from paying HECS fees for PhD and research Masters degrees. Admission to these programs normally requires an honours degree or equivalent.
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