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

Abstract

Our central purpose is the development of more ethical, effective, stakeholder-directed and context-sensitive 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 biologi-cal initiative for dengue fever control (hereafter the Wolbachia method). At present, we are working closely with those likely to be affected by a Wolba-chia intervention to negotiate, design and imple-ment public engagement strategies in northern Australia and, from May 2009, in Viet Nam.