There is often much useful data in the large documents involved in Impact Assessment (IA) (or Assessment of Environmental Effects in New Zealand) and the final conclusions are often sensible. However, it can be difficult for readers to see how the data actually leads to the conclusions or supports the recommendations offered. Those challenges can be resolved!

This popular workshop, back for the fifth year running, shares two ‘toolboxes’ collectively called ‘Organised Reasoning’. The first provides a structured set of steps to help organise your thinking and your argument. (‘Argument’ in this context means ‘reasons leading to a conclusion, targeted for a specific audience’). The second shows how to better present arguments in the written text of your documents. Assessments are complex documents. Using the tools of argument can make them easier for audiences to understand—and easier for authors to write!

Organised reasoning provides a way to make assessments faster, cheaper, more transparent and more effective while reducing risk. These are particularly important benefits as governments look for ways to ‘fast-track’ development approvals as part of the COVID-19 recovery.

The workshop will be held as four x 3.5 hour online sessions over two weeks. A fifth session, approximately 3 months later, will review key points, address tips and challenges of implementation and allow participants to share experiences since the initial workshops. The sessions are not webinars, but include a variety of presentations, interactive discussions, small group break out activities and breaks to ensure you remain fresh and attentive!

Participation is limited to 15 participants per workshop to enhance interaction.

The workshop shows how IA documents contain common errors in their arguments and weaknesses in their writing. Participants will assemble evidence and reasoning for several different kinds of argument found in IAs. We practice steps that show how to bring improved arguments into technical report writing. We discuss how different organisations have already implemented these steps in their IA practice. Participants learn a revised approach to planning, preparing and writing that they can use immediately to write stronger cases in their IAs. You’ll receive handouts documenting the main ideas and further learning material prior to the review session three months later.

Note: These workshops will be held approximately every two months during 2023, depending on demand. If you are unable to register for the current advertised workshop, email the EIANZ office (office@eianz.org) and ask to be put on the wait list to ensure you have the first opportunity to register for the following workshop.

This workshop will run on the following days:
Monday 22 July, Wednesday 24 July, Monday 29 July & Wednesday 31 July 2024 from 10am - 1:30pm (AEST)

Meet the speaker

Dr Glenn Brown has over 25 years experience as an ecologist and educator specialising in environmental management. He has worked on environmental projects for industry, government and non-governmental organisations in Canada and other countries. He teaches courses on Ecosystem Science and Management and on Analytical Thinking and Communications in the masters program in Environment and Management at Royal Roads University in British Columbia and works as an independent consultant.

He has delivered courses on "Organised Reasoning" at International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) conferences in Florence, Durban, Brisbane and Vancouver.

Click here to view Dr Glenn Brown's website and biography →

Not an EIANZ member?

Consider joining as a student, associate or full member today! To receive the member rate to the symposium make sure you apply for membership prior to registering for the event! Join here →

CPD points

This event will count as 1 point per hour towards your Certified Environmental Practitioner CPD log

Cancellation and payment policy

Registrations are via credit card. If you are unable to register via credit card please contact us at office@eianz.org

Should you need to cancel your registration the following conditions apply:

• 50% refund up to 4 weeks before course
• 25% refund up to 2 weeks before
• Accept an alternative person in lieu of someone who can’t attend who meets the criteria of the ticket
• Notification of cancellation must be provided to EIANZ Central Office by email office@eianz.org