There is increasing recognition of the need to actively involve different stakeholders and communities in the process of making decisions about natural resource management (NRM). Almost every NRM professional is asked to 'consult' or 'involve' the community when drawing up management plans for resources such as national parks, forests, fisheries, water or mining activities, amongst many others.

This course provides a critical review of participatory resource management (PRM) approaches, exploring when and why different PRM processes succeed and fail to resolve conflicts between stakeholders. Students learn both the theories underpinning different PRM approaches, and practical skills such as group facilitation, stakeholder analysis and how to design and manage participatory processes. A series of guest speakers discuss recently-implemented Australian and international participatory processes, and the class evaluates the factors that affected the success or otherwise of these processes. The course assessment, much of which is based on group-work, is designed to ensure students apply the facilitation skills being taught, and that students can explore topics of particular interest to them in the field of PRM.

Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Critically analyse the different approaches commonly used in participatory resource management, and the advantages and disadvantages of these different approaches
2. Synthesise and apply the principles and theories underpinning different approaches to participatory resource management in consideration of cultural context and PRM objectives
3. Employ informed methods for the design and implementation of PRM processes. Specifically (a) conduct group facilitation identifying and addressing group behaviour characteristics, (b) effectively design participatory processes for different management and cultural situations applying knowledge of PRM approaches, limitations, principles and theories, and (c) monitor and evaluate the success of participatory processes
4. Critically review literature and ‘real life' examples of participatory processes and conflict resolution in NRM
5. Apply reflexive practices to adequately identify personal and social characteristics and their influence on PRM practice

Research-Led Teaching

This course draws on the convenor’s and guests’ research and experience in designing and implementing participatory processes for resource management in Australia and other parts of the world. Issues covered in the course reflect academic debates along with the real-life complexity in participatory processes, from issues of power and participation to incorporating multiple types of knowledge. Throughout the course, students will be exposed to a variety of participatory methods, case studies, hypothetical situations, literature, group work and facilitation experience to enable them to develop their own skills in participatory resource management.

Field Trips

One outdoor field-based activity in the first week of the course. There will be no charge for this excursion.

Please see the College of Science - Field activities page for more information.

Additional Course Costs

Nil

Examination Material or equipment

n/a

Required Resources

Lists of indicative texts: session readings will be made available through Canvas.  

Further readings can be found on Canvas

Recommended Resources

A laptop computer is suggested, with Word, Excel and Powerpoint (or equivalent software) and a web browser such as Firefox, Chrome or IE to allow preparation of assessment tasks to be carried out during the course contact hours.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in this course in the following forms:

• marks and written comments to individuals and/or groups on assessment items (e.g. reports)
• discussion with individual students on essay topics
• discussion with small groups on practical facilitation prior to the practical

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Face-to-face teaching in this course consists of ten full days (9:00 to 5:00) (weekdays only).A high-level program for the intensive is indicated below. Please refer to the course Canvas site for additional information.
2	Day 1 Walk on Country (half-day Field Trip) Full Course Introduction Group Allocations and Reflective Writing	Course Journal - part A in class
3	Day 2 Introduction to PRM and Participation Processes   Decolonise your Mind  Group Behaviour Group Work Time
4	Day 3 Knowledge Sharing and Knowledge Domains Actor and Context Analysis Designing a Participatory Process Group work time
5	Day 4 Power and PRM PRM Online International PRM Group work time
6	Day 5 Spatial Information and PRM Monitoring and  Evaluation Group work time and Reflective Writing  Rose-Bud-Thorn Feedback Session	Course Journal - part B in class
7	Day 6 Ethics of PRM Facilitating Inclusive Community Meetings  Foresight and NRM Group Work time
8	Day 7 Gender and Masculinities in Conservation Group work time Native Title and PRM Social Dialogues for Collective Decision-making	Evaluation of participatory process - part A
9	Day 8 Student-led Practical 1 Lunch and group work time Student-led Practical 2  Group work OR reflection journal writing time	Evaluation of participatory process - part AEvaluation of participatory process - part B
10	Day 9 Student-led Practical 3 Lunch and group work time Student-led Practical 4  Group work and Reflective Writing	Course Journal - part C in classStudent-led Practical 4Group presentation plan - via canvasEvaluation of participatory process - part B
11	Day 10 Group presentations  Course wrap-up	Group Presentations
12	One week post Day 10	Course Journal - part D final summative reflection via canvas
13	Two weeks post Day 10	Evaluation Report - via canvas

Tutorial Registration

n/a

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Course journal	30 %	23/11/2026	1, 2, 3
Practical preparation and facilitation	20 %	02/12/2026	1, 2, 3, 4
Group Presentation	15 %	04/12/2026	1, 2, 3, 4
Evaluation of participatory processes	35 %	18/12/2026	1, 3, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Face-to-face teaching in this course consists of ten full days (9:00 to 5:00).

Participation in this course requires as a minimum:

• attendance and positive contribution to 9 of 10 days. Absence of more than 1 day requires a medical certificate or prior approval from the lecturer
• submission of all assignments.
• reading the assigned readings as described

Graduate students will be expected to do additional reading and contribute to an extra discussion at identified tutorials in the semester.

Due to the interactive format and the intensive nature of the course, there will be little scope for students to catch up on missed lectures. However, lectures can be recorded if the class considers this useful. For discussion.

Assessment Task 1

Course journal

The journal is one piece of work, marked once, at the end, as a whole. It has multiple parts. Parts A-C include three handwritten entries written in person, which we collect during the course. Time is allocated in class (45mins) for this activity on days 1,5 and 9. A refection topic/theme/writing prompt is given at the start of each session. Part D is a final reflection you write at home (3000 words), which has to build on Part A-C. We read both together, so what you wrote in the room is the baseline for judging the whole journal. Part D due 11/12/26.

Value: 30%

Assessment Task 2

Practical preparation and facilitation

Practical organisation and facilitation, requiring design and facilitation of one workshop component or sub-group.

Value: 20%

Please note: Student-led Practicals will be delivered in class daily during the second week. The due date indicated above indicates the first day that this activity will be run in class. Students should refer to the course Canvas site to confirm the date of their assessment.

You are assigned to one of four practical groups. Each group designs and facilitates a practical, using the Facilitation Guide provided on the CANVAS page. You upload your facilitation plan and materials 15 minutes before your practical, and the convenors assess the plan and your facilitation on the day, using the criteria in the Facilitation Guide.

Assessment Task 3

Group Presentation

Group work and presentation designing a PRM process for a given situation.

Value: 15%

You work in a group of two or three within your practical group, on one of the scenarios allocated at the start of the course. The task is the same: design a participatory process for your scenario.

Marks are allocated against (A) Two page plan, written and uploaded to CANVAS as a group the night before presentation (20%); (B) Responding to a twist as a group. In real life things change, so in this task each group will be given a twist and a set time to discuss, plan and pivot (40%); (C) Each student will be expected to be involved in the Q&A (40%).

Assessment Task 4

Evaluation of participatory processes

You and one or two other ENVS6021 students act as the embedded evaluators for one of the first three practicals. You observe the practical as a participatory process, collect data together and write an individual evaluation report. You evaluate the process, not individual students, and nothing you collect affects any undergraduate’s mark.

Value: 35%

Marks are allocated against (A) One page evaluation plan, written and uploaded to CANVAS 24hrs before the allocated undergraduate presentation (3%); (B) Evidence pack that records your own time-stamped observation log, exit-slip tallies, and the facilitators’ plan compared with what happened (7%); (C) Evaluation report of 2,500 words, individually written, documenting, design, findings, interpretation against theory, limits of your method, recommendations. (20%); Individual oral discussion of your findings, 10mins with the convenor.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension is penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Via course Canvas site.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Re-submission of assignments is not permitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students