ILWS - Institute of Land, Water and Society
Researchers
Dr Jonathon Howard
BEnvSc Wollongong, GradDipNatRes UNE, GradDipMgt UCQ, PhD CSU
School of Environmental Sciences, Thurgoona
The wetlands at the University’s Albury-Wodonga campus at Thurgoona make an apt setting for a photograph of the new leader of the Institute’s Human Dimensions of Environmental Management discipline group.
Water, and in particular the social psychology of water management, is something that Jonathon Howard, 43, has a keen interest in.
“My interest is focused on achieving more sustainable use of our water resources,” says Jonathon, a social researcher who has been with the University for 12 years. “For a River like the Murray, that means addressing the social psychological issues. You see I believe we largely know how to rehabilitate the environment. However we are prevented from doing so because people either don’t know, have other priorities, don’t want to change, or argue about what is fair. Change in this context is about changing our behaviour and attitudes, which is a social physiological problem.”
Jonathon grew up in Sydney where he became interested in wildlife and water. “At five years of age or so I used to go out on my own exploring our waterfront bush block on the Georges River” says Jonathon. “Indeed I remember my parents and their friends regularly going for night swims at Cronulla Beach. Later in high school I learnt to surf there.” Jonathon did a Bachelor of Environmental Science at Wollongong University, followed by a Graduate Diploma on Natural Resources at the University of New England in Armidale, and then a Graduate Diploma in Management with the University of Central Queensland. His first job was as a ranger at Brisbane Forest Park in Queensland. He then worked with NSW Parks & Wildlife before moving to the Department of Land and Water Conservation as manager of community engagement programs in Western Sydney.
When he first took up a position with Charles Sturt University at Albury-Wodonga he was responsible for running the student practicums within the School of Environmental Sciences. These days he still does the practicum component but also teaches in Catchment Management, Shoreline Recreation, and two administration subjects across all the degrees offered by the School. Jonathon’s research career began as an extension of his previous employment by simply doing evaluations of various community programs. “Over the years, that interest has become more focussed and theoretically driven to be centred on the social psychology dimensions of water management.”
After seven years, Jonathon has completed his PhD (with supervisors A/Prof Ian Gray, Tony Dunn and Graeme Batton) on the water reform process in NSW. “I looked at the actions of stakeholder groups in terms of obtaining an overall fair policy outcome,” says Jonathon. “I found the outcome wasn’t fair because, under the process, people try to maximise their own benefit by forming coalitions, going forum shopping, or increasing their power base.
“The implication being when an agency implements such programs there needs to be rigor in order to stop people getting around the system.”
Other projects Jonathon has recently been involved with include an evaluation of the North East Catchment Management Authority’s River Tender Project with Professor Allan Curtis and an assessment of the Amenity values on the Murray River. He is currently undertaken two new research projects. One with spatial scientist Rachel O’Brien mapping land holder preferences for water management incentives using GIS systems. Another is on the trauma of water reform. “Many farmers are dependent on water allocations for their livelihood and at present can’t make sound business decisions because the policy environment is fluctuating” says Jonathon. “This is leading to considerable stress and trauma.”
However for the future, Jonathon says the tapestry is yet to be woven. “Having finished my doctorate, I feel open to opportunities. In terms of the Human Dimensions Group, I would like to help it reach its full capacity. It is a key group within ILWS and has about 20 PhD students. I’d like help to pull in a couple of really big research grants and assist members increase their skills in research, writing, etc.
“My other activities will be aimed at making a significant contribution to sustainable water management. For example my PhD research is starting to be used by National Water Commission. I am also on the Boards of the Murray Catchment Management Authority, the Murray Wetlands Working Group, and the NSW Nature Conservation Trust. I hope to continue along these lines. So when my two young children, Cameron, 4 and Wendy, 16mths, grow up they enjoy the incredible sights, sounds, and experiences that our rivers and coastal environments provide.”