Associate Professor Elske van de Fliert
Director, Centre for Communication and Social Change
Associate Professor
School of Communication and Arts
+61 7 334 68261
Researcher biography
Associate Professor Elske van de Fliert is the Director of the Centre for Communication and Social Change. She also convenes the Communication for Social Change plan of the Master of Communication program. She obtained a PhD in Communication & Innovation in 1993 from Wageningen University, The Netherlands. She joined the UQ School of Journalism and Communication (now School of Communication and Arts) in July 2006. Prior to this, Elske worked for two decades in research, development and teaching positions in Indonesia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, with work also across China, Kenya, Uganda, Philippines and Kyrgyzstan.
Elske's research interests include participatory development communication, facilitation of transdisciplinary research for sustainable development, and impact assessment of social change processes. Over the years at UQ, she has been conducting research projects in Indonesia, Timor Leste, Philippines and Mongolia. She has published widely on a range of topics related to participatory research and communication in sustainable rural development.
Publications
Book
Thomas, Pradip Ninan and van de Fliert, Elske (2014). Interrogating the theory and practice of communication for social change: the basis for renewal. Basingstoke, United Kingdom: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1057/9781137426314
Book Chapters
Van de Fliert, Elske (2021). Participatory communication and action for a sustainable environment. Handbook of communication and development. (pp. 142-153) edited by Srinivas R. Melkote and Arvind Singhal. Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.. doi: 10.4337/9781789906356.00016
Nhuan, N. H., van de Fliert, E. and Nicetic, O. (2017). How agricultural research for development can make a change: assessing livelihood impacts in the northwest highlands of Vietnam. Redefining diversity and dynamics of natural resources management in Asia. Volume 2, Upland natural resources and social ecological systems in northern Vietnam. (pp. 155-176) edited by Mai Van Thanh, Tran Duc Vien, Stephen J. Leisz and Ganesh Shivakoti. San Diego: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-805453-6.00010-3
Thomas, Pradip Ninan and van de Fliert, Elske (2014). Agencies, Structures and Social Change. Palgrave Studies in Communication for Social Change. (pp. 73-87) Springer Nature. doi: 10.1057/9781137426314_5
Thomas, Pradip Ninan and van de Fliert, Elske (2014). Revisiting CSC Theory. Interrogating the Theory and Practice of Communication for Social Change. (pp. 1-19) London, United Kingdom: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1057/9781137426314_1
Thomas, Pradip Ninan and van de Fliert, Elske (2014). Communication Rights and Social Change. Palgrave Studies in Communication for Social Change. (pp. 132-147) Springer Nature. doi: 10.1057/9781137426314_9
Thomas, Pradip Ninan and van de Fliert, Elske (2014). Communication, Power and Social Change. Palgrave Studies in Communication for Social Change. (pp. 52-72) Springer Nature. doi: 10.1057/9781137426314_4
van de Fliert, Elske (2014). Communication, development, and the natural environment. The handbook of development communication and social change. (pp. 125-137) edited by Karin Gwinn Wilkins, Thomas Tufte and Rafael Obregon. Chichester, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1002/9781118505328.ch8
Thomas, Pradip Ninan and van de Fliert, Elske (2014). The IT Fix. Palgrave Studies in Communication for Social Change. (pp. 88-102) Springer Nature. doi: 10.1057/9781137426314_6
Thomas, Pradip Ninan and van de Fliert, Elske (2014). The Making and Unmaking of CSC Policy. Palgrave Studies in Communication for Social Change. (pp. 103-117) Springer Nature. doi: 10.1057/9781137426314_7
Baast, Erdenebolor and van de Fliert, Elske (2013). Priorities and capacity of food policy in Mongolia: The dilemma between ambitions reality. Multifunctional agriculture, ecology and food security: International perspectives. (pp. 225-244) edited by J. Ram Pillarisetti, Roger Lawrey and Azman Ahmad. New York, NY, United States: Nova Science Publishers.
Van de Fliert, Elske (2010). Communication and Sustainable Rural Development. An Introduction to Communication and Social Change. (pp. 89-98) edited by Thomas, Pradip and Bromley, Michael. Brisbane: UQ Press.
Van de Fliert, Elske (2010). Participatory planning: Setting the agenda. An introduction to communication and social change. (pp. 67-76) edited by Pradip Thomas and Michael Bromley. Brisbane: UQ Press.
van de Fliert, E. (2007). For growth or well-being? Communication strategies for sustainable development in rural Asia. Moving Targets - Mapping the Paths Between Communication, Technolgy and Social Change in Communities. (pp. 45-60) edited by J. E. J. Servaes and S. Liu. Penang, Malaysia: Southbound.
Van de Fliert, E. (2007). Communication and sustainable rural development. Communication for Social Change. (pp. 85-94) edited by Thomas, P. N.. Brisbane: The University of Queensland.
van de Fliert, E. (2007). Participatory planning: Setting the agenda. Communication for Social Change. (pp. 61-70) edited by Thomas, P. N.. Brisbane: The University of Queensland.
van de Fliert, E. J. (2006). The role of the farmer field school in the transition towards sustainable agriculture. Changing Roles of Agricultural Extension in Asian Nations. (pp. 325-342) edited by A. W. Van den Ban and R. K. Samanta. New Dehli: B. R. Publishing Corporation.
Journal Articles
Dev, Debashish Sarker and van de Fliert, Elske (2023). Discourses on gender in climate change adaptation projects of Bangladesh: new dimensions or reinscribing the old?. Journal of Language and Politics, 22 (5), 707-729. doi: 10.1075/jlp.22121.dev
Cruz, Daniel and van de Fliert, Elske (2023). The ethics of food sovereignty: discourses for transformative social change and community development practices by peasant movements. Community Development Journal, 58 (1), 64-78. doi: 10.1093/cdj/bsac034
Manalo IV, Jaime Albarillo, van de Fliert, Elske and Fielding, Kelly (2021). Non-climatic stressors constraining adaptation to drought in rice-farming communities in the Philippines. Climate and Development, 14 (6), 1-11. doi: 10.1080/17565529.2021.1949571
Manalo, Jaime Albarillo, van de Fliert, Elske and Fielding, Kelly (2020). Rice farmers adapting to drought in the Philippines. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 18 (6), 1-12. doi: 10.1080/14735903.2020.1807301
Malakar, Yuwan, Greig, Chris and van de Fliert, Elske (2018). Resistance in rejecting solid fuels: beyond availability and adoption in the structural dominations of cooking practices in rural India. Energy Research and Social Science, 46, 225-235. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2018.07.025
Malakar, Yuwan, Greig, Chris and van de Fliert, Elske (2017). Structure, agency and capabilities: Conceptualising inertia in solid fuel-based cooking practices. Energy Research and Social Science, 40, 45-53. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2017.12.002
Herington, M. J., Lant, P. A., Smart, S., Greig, C. and van de Fliert, E. (2017). Defection, recruitment and social change in cooking practices: energy poverty through a social practice lens. Energy Research and Social Science, 34, 272-280. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2017.09.001
Halman, Paul Gerard, van de Fliert, Elske, Khan, M. Adil and Shevellar, Lynda (2017). The humanitarian imperative for education in disaster response. Disaster Prevention and Management, 27 (2), 207-214. doi: 10.1108/DPM-10-2017-0252
Herington, Matthew J. and van de Fliert, Elske (2017). Positive deviance in theory and practice: a conceptual review. Deviant Behavior, 39 (5), 1-15. doi: 10.1080/01639625.2017.1286194
Hilmiati, Nurul, Budiwiranto, Bambang and van de Fliert, Elske (2017). Gender, ethnicity and engagement: uptake strategies for smallholder cattle farming innovation in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Rural Extension and Innovation Systems Journal, 13 (2), 61-69.
Herington, M. J., van de Fliert, E., Smart, S., Greig, C. and Lant, P. A. (2017). Rural energy planning remains out-of-step with contemporary paradigms of energy access and development. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 67, 1412-1419. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.09.103
Nguyen, Huu Nhuan, van de Fliert, Elske and Nicetic, Oleg (2015). Towards a holistic framework for impact assessment of agricultural research for development – understanding complexity in remote, culturally diverse regions of Vietnam. Australasian Agribusiness Review, 23, 12-25.
Nicetic, Oleg and van de Fliert, Elske (2014). Changing institutional culture: participatory monitoring and evaluation in transdisciplinary research for agricultural development in Vietnam. Knowledge Management for Development Journal, 10 (3), 60-68.
van de Fliert, Elske (2014). Hugh Waddington and Howard White: Farmer field schools—from agricultural extension to adult education: International initiative for impact evaluation, London, UK, 2014, x and 38 pp, available from www.3ieimpact.org/media/filer_public/2014/04/07/srs1_ffs. Food Security, 6 (5), 757-758. doi: 10.1007/s12571-014-0378-9
Dahlanuddin, Yuliana, Baiq T., Panjaitan, Tanda, Halliday, Michael J., Van De Fliert, Elske and Shelton, H. Max (2014). Survey of Bali bull fattening practices in central Lombok, eastern Indonesia, based on feeding of Sesbania grandiflora. Animal Production Science, 54 (9), 1273-1277. doi: 10.1071/AN14325
Hau, Debora Kana, Panjaitan, Tanda, Nulik, Jacob, Dahlanuddin and van de Fliert, Elske (2014). Barriers to and opportunities for the use of forage tree legumes in smallholder cattle fattening systems in Eastern Indonesia. Tropical Grasslands - Forrajes Tropicales, 2 (1), 79-81. doi: 10.17138/tgft(2)79-81
Manalo IV, Jaime A. and van de Fliert, Elske (2013). Push and pull factors in rural Filipino youth's outmigration from agricultural communities. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, 10 (2), 59-73.
Manalo, Jaime A. and van de Fliert, Elske (2011). Hypothesizing ICT4D in Philippine agriculture: deriving from trends, setting directions. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, 8 (2), 17-28.
Manalo, Jaime A. and van de Fliert, Elske (2011). Hypothesizing ICT4D in Philippine Agriculture: Deriving from Trends, Setting Directions. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, 8 (2), 16-26.
Hermann, Sylvia, van de Fliert, Elske and Olsson, Johanna Alkan (2011). Editorial: Integrated assessment of agricultural sustainability: Exploring the use of models in stakeholder processes. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 9 (2), 293-296. doi: 10.1080/14735903.2011.582364
Van de Fliert, Elske (2010). Participatory communication in rural development: What does it take for the established order?. Extension Farming Systems Journal, 6 (1), 95-99.
van de Fliert, Elske, Christiana, Budi, Hendayana, Rachmat and Murray-Prior, Roy (2010). Pilot roll-out: Adaptive research in farmers’ worlds. Extension Farming Systems Journal, 6 (1), 63-71.
van de Fliert, Elske and Do Thi Minh Hien (2009). Communication for development: Targeting the untargeted. Media Development (1), 29-34.
van de Fliert, E., Dung, N. T., Henriksen, O. and Dalsgaard, J. P. T. (2007). From collectives to collective decision-making and action: Farmer field schools in Vietnam. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 13 (3), 245-256. doi: 10.1080/13892240701427706
Paine, Mark and van de Fliert, Elske (2007). Guest editorial. Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 13 (3), 161-162. doi: 10.1080/13892240701427219
van de Fliert, E. (2003). Recognising a climate for sustainability: extension beyond transfer of technology. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 43 (1), 29-36. doi: 10.1071/EA01067
Douthwaite, B., Kuby, T., van de Fliert, E. and Schulz, S. (2003). Impact pathway evaluation: an approach for achieving and attributing impact in complex systems. Agricultural Systems, 78 (2), 243-265. doi: 10.1016/S0308-521X(03)00128-8
van de Fliert, Elske and Braun, Ann R. (2002). Conceptualizing integrative, farmer participatory research for sustainable agriculture: from opportunities to impact. Agriculture and Human Values, 19 (1), 25-38. doi: 10.1023/A:1015081030682
Thiele, Graham, Van De Fliert, Elske and Campilan, Dindo (2001). What happened to participatory research at the International Potato Center?. Agriculture and Human Values, 18 (4), 429-446. doi: 10.1023/A:1015230803456
Braun A.R. and Van De Fliert E. (1999). Evaluation of the impact of sweetpotato weevil (Cylas formicarius) and of the effectiveness of Cylas sex pheromone traps at the farm level in Indonesia. International Journal of Pest Management, 45 (2), 101-110. doi: 10.1080/096708799227888
van de Fliert, E., Pontius, J. and Röling, N. (1995). Searching for strategies to replicate a successful extension approach: training of IPM trainers in Indonesia. European Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 1 (4), 41-63. doi: 10.1080/13892249485300331
Roling N. and van de Fliert E. (1994). Transforming extension for sustainable agriculture: The case of integrated pest management in rice in Indonesia. Agriculture and Human Values, 11 (2-3), 96-108. doi: 10.1007/BF01530451
van de Fliert, Elske (1993). Integrated pest management: farmer field schools generate sustainable practices. A case study in Central Java evaluating IPM training. Wageningen University Papers, 93
Conference Papers
Nguyen,H.N.,, Van de Fliert, E and Nicetic,O (2015). Beyond economic impact: towards a holistic framework for impact assessment of agricultural research for development in remote and culturally diverse regions of Vietnam. 59th National Australian Agricultural and Resource Economic Society (AARES) Conference, Distinction Hotel and Conference Centre, Rotorua, New Zealand., 10 - 13 Feb 2015.
Nicetic, Oleg, Lugg, Amanda, Sen, Pham Thi, Nga, Le Thi Hang, Huan, Le Huu and van de Fliert, Elske (2012). Farmers' perception of soil erosion as a risk to their livelihood-scenario analysis with farmers in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam. 3rd International Conference on Conservation Agriculture in Southeast Asia, Hanoi, Vietnam, 10-15 December 2012. Montpellier, France: CIRAD, NOMAFSI, University of Queensland.
Manalo IV, Jaime A. and van de Fliert, Elske (2012). From texting strangers to texting the PhilRice Text Centre. M4D2012 (3rd International Conference on M4D - Mobile Communication for Development), New Delhi, India, 28-29 February 2012. Karlstad, Sweden: Karlstad University.
Nguyen, Huu Nhuan, Nicetic, Oleg, Hinthorne, Lauren and van de Fliert, Elske (2012). Assessing the contribution of participatory approaches to sustainable impacts of agricultural research for development in the northwest highlands of Vietnam. 3rd International Conference on Conservation Agriculture in Southeast Asia, Hanoi, Vietnam, 10-15 December 2012. Hanoi, Vietnam: CIRAD, NOMAFSI, University of Queensland.
Sen, Pham Thi, Huan, Le Huu, An, Do Sy, Cong, Dang Van, Nam, Trinh Van, Nicetic, Oleg, van de Fliert, Elske and Doanh, Le Quoc (2012). Adaptive participatory research to develop innovations for sustainable intensification of maize-based farming systems in the northern uplands of Vietnam. The 3rd International Conference on Conservation Agriculture in Southeast Asia: Conservation Agriculture and Sustainable Upland Livelihoods, Hanoi, Vietnam, 10-15 December, 2012. Montpellier, France: CIRAD; NOMAFSI; University of Queensland.
van de Fliert, Elske, Sen, Pham Thi and Nicetic, Oleg (2012). Framework, dynamics and challenges of transdisciplinary research for development on sustainable land management in the north-western highlands of Vietnam. 3rd International Conference on Conservation Agriculture in Southeast Asia, Hanoi, Vietnam, 10-15 December 2012. CIRAD, NOMAFSI, University of Queensland.
Nicetic, Oleg, Rae, Debbie and van de Fliert, Elske (2010). From knowing it all to learning to engage – Experiences from Australian interventions in agricultural research and development in Vietnam. 9th European IFSA Symposium, Vienna, Austria, 4-7 July 2010. Vienna, Austria: Universität für Bodenkultur Wien [University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna].
Van de Fliert, Elske, Thi Vuong, Pham, Thi Minh Hien, Do, Thomas, Pradip and Nicetic, Oleg (2010). Out of comfort zones, into realities: Research for development with upland ethnic minority communities in North West Vietnam. 9th European IFSA Symposium, Vienna, Austria, 4-7 July 2010. Vienna, Austria: Universität für Bodenkultur Wien [University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna].
Nicetic, Oleg, van de Fliert, Elske, Va Chien, Ho, Mai, Vo and Cuong, Le (2010). Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) as a vehicle for transformation to sustainable citrus production in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. 9th European IFSA Symposium, Vienna Austria, 4-7 July 2010. Vienna, Austria: Universität für Bodenkultur Wien [University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna].
Van de Fliert, Elske, Jamal, Erizal and Christiana, Budi (2010). The Do-It-Yourself formula – Internalising participatory communication principles to support rural development in Eastern Indonesia. 9th European IFSA Symposium, Vienna, Austria, 4-7 July 2010. Vienna Austria: Universität für Bodenkultur Wien [University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna].
Nicetic, O., van de Fliert, E., Van Chien, Ho, Spooner-Hart, R., O’Leary, Z. and Rae, D. (2009). Learning by doing: designing and conducting impact assessment studies for citrus farmer field schools in Vietnam. AgSAP 2009: Integrated Assessment of Agriculture and Sustainable Development, Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands, 10-12 March, 2009. Wageningen, Netherlands: Wageningen University and Research Centre.
Sar, Sim. A., King, Christine, van de Fliert, Elske, Opasa, Redley, Atoai, Michael, Appa, Ana and Papaya, Triya (2009). Engaging stakeholders through participatory research: farmer innovations in the use of predatory ants for pest management in Papua New Guinea. Innovation Asia Pacific Symposium, Kathmandu, Nepal, 4-7 May, 2009. Kathmandu, Nepal: Innovation Asia-Pacific Symposium; Prolinnova.
Van de Fliert, Elske (2008). Communication for Rural Innovation: Rethinking Agricultural Extension. Innovative Agricultural technology Transfer and Extension System for Enhancing productivity and Competitiveness in APEC Member Economies, Seoul, Korea, 1-3 July 2008. Seoul, Korea: APEC.
Generic Document
O'Sullivan, J., Amante, V., Norton, G., van de Fliert, E., Vasquez, E. and Paradales, J. (2005). Sweetpotato DiagNotes: a diagnostic key and information tool for sweetpotato problems. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
Creative Works
Doherty, Skye, Khan, Awais Hameed, Matthews, Ben and van de Fliert, Elske (2023). Fire Futures Concept Portfolio. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
Doherty, Skye, Khan, Awais Hameed, Matthews, Ben and van de Fliert, Elske (2022). Fire Futures participatory design tools. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
Research Reports
Waldron, Scott, de Paulo Correia, Vincente, Mulik, Marthen, de Rego, Adelino, da Costa Varela, Calisto, Fordyce, Geoff, Thorne-George, Eric, Dalgliesh, Neal, Quigley, Simon and van de Fliert, Elske (2016). Sub-sector analysis of the Timor Leste Beef Industry, Report for ACIAR Project LPS-2009-036 Enhancing smallholder beef production in Timor Leste. Canberra, ACT, Australia:
van de Fliert, Elske, Simpson Reeves, Laura, Walker, Grady, Sepulveda, Claudia, Sam, Steven and Ngussie, Hagos (2014). Mainstreaming Communication for Development in Policies and Programmes. Enabling social inclusion to support food and nutrition security, resilient rural livelihoods and family farmin. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).