TASK ASSOCIATE PROGRAM

Close links between researchers and research users are important to CRC Reef. In addition to the significant role of industry representatives on the CRC Reef Board and all committees, the Task Associate Program has been developed to promote liaison between researchers and representatives from industry and management agencies. Each approved research task has one or more Task Associates nominated by the Task Review Committee (TRC). For example, tasks in the Fishing and Fisheries program have Task Associates assigned from the commercial and recreational fishing partner organisations, and from the fisheries management group within the Great Barrier Reef Marine PArk Authroty (GBRMPA).

Aims of the Task Associate Program

• To help shape and develop new research tasks.
• To help researchers achieve their goals.
• To improve the quality of research outcomes, particularly with respect to policy development and application of research findings.
• To increase the communication between researchers, industry and management.

Benefits

For the Task Associate:

• Better understanding of the research process and individual researchers.
• Opportunity to ensure research is relevant to Associate's needs.
• A role in implementing and interpreting research projects and outcomes.
• Capacity to pass on research results directly to industry groups, managers and community members.
• Opportunity to ensure that research results are used to develop policy and management practices.

For the researcher:

• better understanding of the needs of industry and managers
• advice from associates on field logistical support, permit requirements etc
• direct access to end-users of their research
• help with communication planning.

Task Leader/Task Associate agreement guidelines

These guidelines have been prepared to maximise benefits from the relationship between Task Leaders and Task Associates, and to define their respective roles.

Mutual Understanding

Task Leaders and Task Associates should establish a mutual understanding and agreement of their respective roles early in the project, and review this on a regular basis.

Roles and responsibilities

Make sure you fully understand and agree on your respective roles and responsibilities (role of Task Leader and role of Task Associate).

Contact type and frequency

We recommend that you discuss how, and how often, you propose to communicate with each other (electronic, telephone, face-to face, committee etc.) and reach agreement on this. You should also have a clear understanding of who will be initiating the contact. Aim for practical and achievable contact, and allow flexibility.

Agreement on research proposal, half-yearly and annual reports

It is important that you reach mutual agreement and understanding of the proposed research and methods at the early stages. Due respect should be given to professional expertise and the role of peer review in the process.

The Task Associate is also expected to comment on the half-yearly and annual reports. It is the Project Leader's responsibility to ensure that Task Leaders make their reports available to Associates in plenty of time, in order to meet the CRC Reef reporting deadlines. The Task Associate's comments are particularly useful at the annual reporting, at the end of each financial year, and will enhance the task review process. Task Leaders and Task Associates will receive an email from CRC Reef to remind you when the reports are due.

Communication plan

CRC Reef is encouraging all researchers to think about how you will communicate your research to end-users in the most effective way. To help with your communication planning guidelines you should refer to: Communication Planning for Researchers.

Task Associates can help researchers by providing advice on the most effective and sensitive communication processes for the target audience, and any protocols to be observed.

It is important that Task Leaders and Task Associates agree on their role in communication and any publications, and that the support of Task Associates is acknowledge, where relevant.

Dispute resolution

Disputes or conflicts may occasionally arise between the researchers and Task Associates. All parties need to agree on appropriate processes for conflict resolution. This may involve the Project/Program Leader.

Web-based reporting

Each year CRC Reef Task Leaders and Task Associates are required to submit half-yearly and annual reports through the web-based reporting process. The reports are important to CRC Reef:

• To measure progress of the research tasks against milestones and to highlight achievements.
• To enable Task Associates to comment on the value of the research to their needs.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Task Associate Program.

Task Associates - this is your opportunity to provide feedback on the research. The following questions are a guide to the type of information we would like:

• Are you happy with the research progress against the milestones?
• What sort of contact have you had with the Task Leader or researchers?
• How have you used the research? If so how?
• Has it contributed to planning and policy decisions?
• Do you have any concerns about the research progress? If so, what? What changes would you like to see?

Please provide a brief comment to assist us in the review process.

How to do web-based reporting for your project

You will receive an email from CRC Reef to remind you when it's time for half-yearly or annual reporting. You will also be given a user name and password, with instructions to follow:

1. Go to the website http://www.crcreef.webmetrix.com.au

2. Enter the user name and password provided to you

3. You have two options for entering your data (explained on the site):

Option 1. - Complete all required sections for each task report in a Word document (Download from site) and then cut and paste all required text to the relevant boxes on the relevant web form, or

Option 2. - Type text directly into web entry form.

Note: You can return to the website at anytime to edit/update your reports and when you have completed all required information satisfactorily you may submit your reports to CRC Reef Admin by using the form at the bottom of each task page.

 Task Leaders will be reminded that all task reports must also be completed by the relevant Task Associate (using the same web-based form). Task Leaders should be in contact with their Associates and ensure that their reports are completed in sufficient time for the Associates to report before the deadline.

Thank you for your support.