Understanding power, social capital and trust alongside near real-time water quality monitoring and technological development collaboration

• Published in: Journal of rural studies Vol. 92; pp. 120 - 131
• Main Authors: Fielke, Simon, Taylor, Bruce M., Coggan, Anthea, Jakku, Emma, Davis, Aaron M., Thorburn, Peter J., Webster, Anthony J., Smart, James C.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elmsford Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2022; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Agricultural research; Collaboration; Collaborative water quality monitoring; Farmer-initiated project; Farmers; Great Barrier Reef; Group learning; Institutions; Land management; Local knowledge; Monitoring; Power; Power dynamics; Real time; Research projects; Scientific visualization; Social capital; Social dynamics; Social evolution; Social factors; Social interaction; Social power; Social research; Social systems; Technological change; Trust; Water; Water quality; Water quality management; Water supply; Collaborative water quality monitoring; Power dynamics; Trust; Institutions; Social capital; Farmer-initiated project; Great Barrier Reef
• ISSN: 0743-0167; 1873-1392
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2022.03.022

We report on qualitative social research conducted with stakeholders in a local agricultural knowledge and advice network associated with a collaborative water quality monitoring project. These farmers, advisors and researchers allude to existing social dynamics, technological developments, and (more general) social evolution which is analysed against a novel analytical framework. This framework considers notions of power, social capital, and trust as related and dynamic, forming the basis of our contribution to knowledge. We then probe the data to understand perceived impacts of the collaborative project and social interaction associated with this research project, which involved cutting edge automated and frequent water quality monitoring that allowed for near real-time access to data visualisation displayed via a bespoke mobile or web ‘app’ (1622WQ). Our findings indicate that a multi-faceted approach to assessing and intervening based on consideration of multiple social dimensions holds promise in terms of creating conditions that allow for individual and group learning to encourage changes in thinking required to result in improved land management practice. •Novel framework considers notions of power, social capital, and trust as related and dynamic.•Research conducted with stakeholders in a local agricultural knowledge and advice network.•Examines existing social dynamics, technological development, and social-technical evolution.•A multi-faceted approach to assessing/intervening considering multiple social dimensions was useful.