Lincoln University
Environment, Society and Design Faculty
Protein Futures: Future Scenarios for Land-Use in Aotearoa New Zealand.
We would like to invite you to contribute to research on the potential impact of alternative proteins on the Aotearoa New Zealand economy and land use. This is part of a project entitled “Protein Futures: Future Scenarios for Land-Use in Aotearoa New Zealand.”
What is the objective of Protein Futures?
The project is designed to develop an expert-informed projection of the economic and land use impacts of the emerging alternative protein sector (that is, proteins not produced in the meat or dairy sector). It will consider both the opportunities of a new sector as well as the implications for other value chains. The expectation is that people currently working with alternative proteins will provide the best estimate of the sector’s potential. We will project impacts using an economic model to determine regional patterns of impact. The project is being funded by the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge and findings will be used to inform economic and environmental policy to ensure a productive food sector that enhances land and water quality.
Who are we asking to participate?
We are asking anyone with knowledge of alternative proteins—in production or research—to help with the development of the scenarios. We will select an ‘expert’ panel of forty participants for the first stage of the research and then include a larger group to provide feedback on scenarios in the second stage.
What will I be asked to do?
You are asked to participate in three activities over the next eight months. First, we have a short survey that will provide us with a better understanding of who each of the participants are and what they know about alternative proteins. Based on that survey, we will select a representative group of participants for short (30-40 minute) interviews about their expectations for alternative proteins as a sector. After the research team analyses the interviews and develops a set of ‘scenarios’ that represent the expected change, we will ask all participants for their assessment of the scenarios. That assessment will involve indicating which are most or least likely; which are most or least desirable; and if they adequately account for likely outcomes.
How will my data be used?
The data from the first stage interviews will form the basis of the scenarios that will be assessed by the full participant group. The assessment and feedback from the second stage interviews will determine, the most likely and most desirable scenarios. The selected scenarios will be used to provide input to a model to project economic impacts and land use changes associated with the future development of alternative proteins. The results of the modelling will be shared with the research participants as well as policy makers in government, industry and iwi.
Your contribution to the project will remain anonymous and your identity will not be linked to the data you provide. The use of the data in the modelling and in reporting will be at an aggregate level, and the responses of individuals will not be identifiable. It is possible that quotes from the interviews will be used to provide context or insight to the development of the scenarios, and these will also remain anonymous, being attributed to an unnamed person in the role you represent (for example, oat farmer, insect raiser, protein researcher, etc.). The raw data will only be accessible to members of the research team located at Lincoln University, Otago University, and The AgriBusiness Group, and possibly the Lincoln University Human Ethics Committee in the event of an audit. To further ensure anonymity, your consent form with your name and contact information will be available only for the researchers conducting the interview and Jon Manhire (project leader) and Christopher Rosin (science leader). It will be stored in electronic form with secure password protection and separately from any data that you contribute.
Can I withdraw from the project?
Your participation in the project is completely voluntary and, while you are asked to give your consent, you can still limit the extent of your participation. This can include declining to answer a specific question in the survey or the interviews without affecting your ability to participate in the project. You may also withdraw from the project, including withdrawing any information you have provided (except that in the initial survey). If you wish to withdraw information, members of the expert panel can do so at any time up to 28 February 2023. You can notify your desire to withdraw by contacting Christopher Rosin or Jon Manhire, using the contact details below.
What if I have any questions?
We are happy to address any questions or concerns you might have about your participation in the project. Please contact Christopher Rosin or Jon Manhire so we can discuss your participation in the project.
Science leader: Dr Christopher Rosin, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Environment, Society and Design
Christopher.Rosin@lincoln.ac.nz
Ph. 03 4230492
Project leader: Jon Manhire, The AgriBusiness Group
jon@agribusinessgroup.com
Ph. 03 3656806
