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Centre for Regional Futures

The Centre for Regional Futures is an interdisciplinary research centre addressing the challenges and opportunities shaping regional, rural, and remote communities and economies.

Working across the social, cultural, economic, and environmental contexts shaping regional Australia, and grounded in applied research approaches, our team collaborates with industry, government, and local communities to generate evidence-based solutions to complex, interconnected issues.

The Centre for Regional Futures takes an integrated approach to supporting positive regional futures, addressing the systems and conditions that underpin participation, liveability, workforce and skills capacity, and economic opportunity in regional Australia. This research strength is combined with deep expertise in place-based and regional approaches, enabling work that informs policy and practice and improves conditions for regional communities.

 

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Themes

As agriculture continuously evolves, traditional business models in agriculture and related industries focused on farm production with limited market intelligence and value chain development are out-dated. Innovative business models and integrated value chains are needed for the development of new markets, global trades and to meet the ever-changing consumer demands.
RECoE is modelling and implementing a policy framework that supports and enables economic development in rural areas. The aim is to provide a comprehensive and integrated rural policy framework by assessing the impact of policy and identifying areas for improvement through evidence base for a more synchronised and empowering policy.
While many rural areas are in economic decline and transition, opportunities for major economic growth exist and the potential is not being fully explored.  With business acumen and business culture generally being poor in regional areas, farmers rely on an episodic agricultural economy base. Basic economic infrastructure such as digital connectivity is limited with low digital literacy. Some communities have experienced a resource industry boom followed by a low. Tourism is growing and becoming a key addition to the economic sector, but few businesses are developing and expanding into tourism.
A key role for RECoE is to analyse the translation processes of research program outcomes, and for rural stakeholders to develop economic resilience from these findings. 

Title: Regional Drought Resilience Planning 
Leader: Associate Professor Ben Lyons  
Project Team: University of Queensland | James Cook University | Central Queensland University. 
Funding Body: Australian Government's Future Drought Fund | Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries  

Support regions to develop regional drought resilience plans to prepare for and manage future drought risks. 
A major component to rural economies is the development of value chains in agriculture. Detailed planning, organisation and implementation allow for better access to diverse markets and with market research analysed, quality standards are better met. This results in higher value being gained from agricultural products, develops new markets with the producer having an increased rate of product worth.
The Regional Community Development Program, develops and conducts community-partnered research and practice to improve the social and economic vitality of regional communities and contribute to understanding and knowledge of regional community development. 
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Ahead of the pack
Innovative project recognises crucial role rural women play in education
International award for UniSQ multi-phase education project.
Read more about this international award
Building our future
Helping regional communities find their future
Dr Chad Renando shares innovation ecosystems expertise with local town.
Read more about innovation ecosystems
The road ahead
Drought planning more important now than ever
Update on the Regional Drought Resilience Planning program, a key program under the Australian Government’s $5 billion Future Drought Fund.
Read more about the Future Drought Fund

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