Research
Our research program aims to increase our reach and influence across the industry.
We have been building our research program since 2018 and have a group target of investing 10% of our profits into research each year. The aims of the program are twofold:
To support and attract staff at the forefront of their fields and contribute to the way we lead conversations that influence communities and nature.
To contribute to the latest thinking on management and policy. This includes encouraging a culture of investigation and exploration.
Research Program Leadership
Our research leadership team manages partnerships with research organisations, ensures the integration of research work into our consulting projects and communicates our insights with the industry.
Amanda Shipp
General Manager – Research and Insights
Amanda has been working in environmental management and water policy since 2011 and is the General Manager of Research for the Alluvium Group.<br><br>Amanda enjoys engaging with complexity, bringing together expertise across water policy, ecology, hydrology, hydraulics, traditional knowledge, social science and waterway management to inform robust decision making in water policy and environmental management.<br><br>Amanda has led teams working on complex and transformational projects across the Murray-Darling Basin, including the Enhanced Environmental Water Delivery (EEWD) project, the Knowledge Exchange and First Nations components of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder’s Science program – Flow Monitoring Evaluation and Reporting (Flow-MER), developing the Constraints Roadmap, and aspects of the Basin Plan Review. Amanda is passionate about how First Nations people care for Country and exploring frameworks and policies that better respect and promote this role.<br><br>As General Manager of our Research program, Amanda supports technical leaders across the organisation to collaborate with research partners, explore new concepts and innovative tools to better support our clients, and share their insights with the industry.
Professor Ian Rutherfurd
<p>Ian is a fluvial geomorphologist with 30 years working with governments and communities in stream and catchment management. His research spans basic and applied river processes, and he has completed over 150 publications, $7m in funded research projects, and 70 consulting projects. Ian also has rich experience in education and professional training of all types.</p><p>After spending twenty years at the University of Melbourne (of which several years were spent seconded to the Victorian State government working in river policy) Ian joined Alluvium in a part-time capacity. In addition to his involvement in many consulting projects, he chairs the Alluvium Foundation and helps coordinate the Research and Insights Program. He brings deep experience in the application of research to all aspects of river and water management, as well as excellent connections across the water sector. </p>
Dr Matt Francey
Group CEO
Matt is a prominent figure in urban water and natural resource management. As the CEO of Alluvium Group and a Director of EcoFutures, Alluvium International, Mosaic Insights and Natural Capital & Climate. Matt brings extensive experience from a government, scientific and community perspective to leading the Alluvium Group.<br> <br>Under Matt's leadership, the Alluvium Group has become a thought leader in the industry. His innovative approach to policy development and management has significantly advanced environmental practices. Matt's commitment to integrating scientific research with practical solutions, including the development of Alluviums internal research program and NfP foundation has enabled the Alluvium Group to deliver impactful projects that address critical environmental challenges.<br> <br>Matt's vision for the Alluvium Group focuses on collaboration and innovation. He believes in harnessing the collective expertise of scientists, economists, engineers, and natural resource managers to develop solutions that benefit both the environment and the community. This collaborative ethos is reflected in the Alluvium Group's diverse team and their multidisciplinary approach to project delivery.<br> <br>As a leading thinker in the field, Matt continues to drive the Alluvium Group's principles and vision. His dedication to excellence and his ability to inspire and lead his team have made the Alluvium Group a trusted partner for clients and the wider industry seeking innovative and effective environmental solutions.
Professor Barry Hart
Director
Barry is a recognised leader in the science of catchment and water resource management, and well known for his efforts in developing knowledge-based decision-making processes in natural resource management throughout Australia and South-East Asia.<br><br>Barry brings to Alluvium a strong academic background. He was appointed an Emeritus Professor by Monash University and previously was Director of the Monash University Water Studies Centre and Research Director of the CRC for Freshwater Ecology.<br><br>Barry was a member of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority Board for 9 years (2009-2018) and, amongst many other past appointments, has had leadership roles on the Commonwealth Environmental Water Scientific Advisory Panel, the Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Partnership Science Advisory Panel and the Gippsland Lakes and Catchment Task Force. In 2003, Barry received a Centenary Medal for services to water quality management and environmental protection. He was also made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in June 2012.<br><br>Barry plays a key role on the Board and in our business through mentoring staff and helping us to deliver the best possible science in our work.
Dr Paul Maxwell
General Manager – EcoFutures
Paul is a coastal ecologist and natural resource management specialist with 20 years experience working for state government, universities and not-for-profit organisations. He has had extensive experience in developing and implementing environmental, social and economic monitoring and research programs across Australia for local councils, natural resource management organisations and water utilities. He is an experienced project manager in the fields of coastal habitat management and assessment; water quality and river health management; water resource management; monitoring and evaluation; science translation and communication and stakeholder and community engagement.<br><br>Paul is the Research and Development lead for Alluvium. Throughout his career he has focused on developing better links between the best science and practitioners and has maintained an active research profile by partnering with university and industry researchers nationally and internationally. He has been involved in a diverse range of research projects which has led to extensive publications in top-tier journals in the fields of environmental management, ecological resilience, biodiversity conservation, environmental chemistry and marine and freshwater ecology. His research and monitoring outputs have directly influenced state and local government policies.
Research Projects
Each year, we fund a round of internal research projects to explore new ideas and develop new knowledge and techniques. These projects are guided by themes our staff see as important to the industry and draw on opportunities to work in collaboration with our partners. Recent examples include applications of artificial intelligence, explicit consideration of uncertainty in management decision-making and consolidation projects which have compiled and interpreted years of ‘grey’ literature into a contemporary set of approaches.
