Recap: Five Years of the Boffa Miskell Research Programme
28 September 2021
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For the last five years, Boffa Miskell has welcomed submissions from our consultants in the pursuit of knowledge, discovery, or a creative activity that advances our skills and offerings to our clients.
Over that time, the Boffa Miskell Research Programme has:
- Enabled conversations with industry leaders and partners to influence policy development;
- Built market leading capability in new areas where we have secured work;
- Provided opportunities to collaborate with clients to develop guidelines, processes and methodologies;
- Developed technology which is now ready for commercialisation, and
- Provided research-based evidence for thought leadership articles, conference presentations and presentation roadshows.
The Boffa Miskell Research Programme fund commits $100,000 (soft and hard costs) per annum. Over the last five years, $440,200 has been awarded across 14 projects.
2016 Projects
Bridging the Gap: Effective public engagement strategies for strengthening resilience of coastal climate change-affected communities
Project Lead – Bron Faulkner – Complete
Assessing the effect of culverts as barriers to aquatic fauna passage, and investigating alternatives
Research Lead – Dr Tanya Blakely – Complete
Place Economics – Growing the local evidence base and tools for measuring the value of place and place-making in Auckland New Zealand
Research Lead – Stuart Houghton – Complete
Monitoring invasive species using an underwater drone
Research Lead – Dr Jacqui Bell – Complete
Guidelines for ecologically effective coastal protection
Research Lead – Dr Jacqui Bell – Complete
2017 Projects
Considering the needs and rights of children in public space design
Research Lead – Sarah Collins – complete
CritterPic: A new technology for photography of small animals
Research Leads – Dr Helen Blackie and Katherine Muchna – commercialisation underway
2018 Projects
Determining the Invasion Front of Wallabies
Research Lead – Pete Caldwell – complete
Driving change in NZ Farming Practice
Research Lead – Claire Kelly – complete
LED Billboard Research – The light that shines so brightly
Research Lead – Nick Pollard – complete
Interactive Geospatial Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Feasibility Study
Research Lead – John Watt – complete
2019 Projects
Understanding Artificial Intelligence – What does it means for Boffa Miskell?
Research Lead – Frazer Baggaley – complete
Detecting source populations of aquatic insects to guide stream restoration activities
Research Lead – Dr Tanya Blakely
Works in waterways – what is best practice?
Research Lead – Dr Tanya Blakely
2020: Programme paused
An internal review of the programme was undertaken with an outcome recommendation of running the programme earlier in the year. This was implemented in 2021
2021 Projects
Five submissions were reviewed and three projects have been award 2021 Boffa Miskell Research grants:
How much / to what extent can urban streets contribute to achieving Auckland Council’s Urban Ngahere (forest) goals?
Research Lead – Ben Clark
Improving landscape connectivity for a changing climate
Research Leads: Kate Heaphy and Sandeep Gangar
Carbon-positive by Design: demonstrating Best Practice in Aotearoa’s Landscapes
Research Leads: Gabe Ross and Martin Powell
Marketing Manager Julie Harp-Johnson, who coordinates the programme says, “Boffa Miskell’s reputation has been built on the value we add to our clients; and by showing that we understand our clients and their interests. The Research Programme ensures thaNot we remain thought-leaders across our various disciplines and demonstrates our ability to move quickly in response to changes in the market.
“Equally important, we’re supporting our consultants as they to continue to grow, and explore alternative solutions, and follow their professional passion beyond day-to-day project work. Each year, we’re incredibly impressed by the creative and strategic thinking behind every research proposal.”
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