Professor Ann Dale, a leading Canadian academic on sustainable development and social capital.

Virtual networks, online network formation and expert moderated network dialogue were three topics of discussion raised by Dr Ann Dale, Professor with the Science, Technology and Environment Division, Royal Roads University, Victoria, Canada. At a seminar hosted by Jenny Onyx, Associate Professor, School of Management, UTS, and Director of the Centre for Australian Community Organisations and their Management (CACOM), Dr Dale gave a brief insight into a research initiative (to be concluded mid-2005) on social capital and sustainable development, part of which is to characterise the properties of networks that generate social capital, and of network formation. Dr Dale advocated the use of electronic dialogue as a tool to increase literacy, both scientific and social, around specific sustainable development issues. Four case studies will be undertaken for the research: three in Canada, and one in Australia (Broken Hill).

For more information, see www.e-researchagenda.ca