The importance of social research for public engagement in bio-control releases: the case of the Eliminate Dengue project

Abstract

[Extract] Our central purpose is the development of more ethical, effective, stakeholder-directed and contextsensitive engagement strategies in Australia and Viet Nam. To achieve this, we use anthropology's proven systematic approach to social research to provide a platform for stakeholder engagement and draw on anthropological insights and research techniques to identify and develop solutions to issues that might impede the uptake of a biological initiative for dengue fever control (hereafter the Wolbachia method). At present, we are working closely with those likely to be affected by a Wolbachia intervention to negotiate, design and implement public engagement strategies in northern Australia and, from May 2009, in Viet Nam.