This workshop will demonstrate how IA documents contain commonplace errors in their arguments and weaknesses in their writing. Participants will assemble evidence and reasoning for several different kinds of arguments into technical report writing.

In the large documents involved in Impact Assessment (IA), there is often much useful data 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.

This workshop shares two sets of tools collectively called "Organised Reasoning". The first provides a structured sequence of steps to help organise your thinking and your argument. ("Argument in this context means a series of reasons landing to a conclusion, targeted to a specific audience). The second shows how to better present arguments in the written text of your documents. Assessments are complex documents and 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. Those 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 3-hour online sessions. They 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 16 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 IA's. Participants will learn a revised approach to planning, preparing and writing that they can use immediately to write stronger cases in their IA's.

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 from 2015 and also this year in Brisbane. He has also provided the course through the IAIA affiliate in Western Canada, EIANZ in Australia and New Zealand, in Iceland China.

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

CPD points

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