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Toby Dawson, Director - Social Advisory
“I believe that we all have the opportunity to improve the communities in which we live and work. By aligning commercial outcomes with the opportunities to deliver social outcomes, together we will see a world where business, communities and people prosper in harmony. Our Social Advisory and Research team is committed to creating resilient, equitable, and inclusive communities through practical social value tools and rigorous approaches embedded in the project life cycle from the beginning. We bring more than 55 years of combined experience coupled with local and international expertise to drive better social value practice in Australia.”
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Rachel Cogger, Associate Director - Social Advisory
"The Social Value Associate accreditation strengthens our ability to deliver meaningful and measurable outcomes for communities and clients alike. It ensures that our approach is both rigorous and responsive to the unique social challenges and opportunities within Australia. Equipped with practical tools, we are committed to fostering greater equity and inclusivity across the diverse range of projects and sectors we engage with, in line with the core principles of social value."
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Marita Fegan, Consultant - Social Advisory
"Working to improve the everyday lives of the people in my community and beyond has always been a passion of mine. Embedding social value principles in all stages of a project makes this possible."
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Georgia Ward, Senior Consultant - Social Advisory
Social advisory and research
In an increasingly connected world, good business requires that you demonstrate the social value of the work you do.
Practical strategy with positive intent
Armed with reliable data about your stakeholders, market and capabilities, we develop actionable insights to guide due diligence, design, communications and approvals strategy. Drawing on decades of experience helping organisations understand the environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact of their operations, we foster vital project buy-in and brand equity. Working with organisations to assess their objectives with social, political and environmental context in mind, our aim is to match practical initiatives with shared value and intent.
Drawing on engagement, economics, sustainability and research principles, we provide objective third-party review of project and organisational policies, procedures and management systems, evaluate potential risks and uncover opportunities for better management, community engagement, governance and more. Our global team of ESG professionals enhance our clients’ investments through strategies, processes and policies that satisfy the expectations of the communities in which they work.
Using a range of quantitative and qualitative research techniques across a variety of metrics, we apply an objective, yet people-centred approach to impact research. Working closely with your team, we create actionable reports that drive cultural change, measure social value and communicate social benefits to your markets and stakeholders.
Our ESG expertise can be used to enhance fundraising opportunities, supplement a due diligence process, assist with integration and help enhance your bottom line.
Our expertise
Social and governance advisory
Internal stakeholder (employee, management and board) engagement
Public participation, community and stakeholder engagement
Stakeholder facilitation and mediation
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) and social licence to operate (SLO) advice, strategy, training and evaluation
Impact assessment frameworks
Governance
Anti-bribery/anti-corruption
Board diversity
Business ethics
Cybersecurity
Ethical financing practices
Executive compensation
Product liability claims
Supply chain – Modern slavery, Transparency in Supply Chains Act (California) and more.
Social research
Due diligence and risk assessment
Desktop audits and literature – policy, procedure, procurement and supply chain
Qualitative research – interviews, focus groups
Quantitative research – online and telephone survey design, data analytics and social listening
Social
Conflict materials
Employee health and safety
Employee engagement, attraction and retention
Fair disclosure and marketing
Product quality/safety
Meet our social advisory specialists
RPS research: true toll of veteran homelessness revealed
A new pro-bono research collaboration between Housing All Australians and RPS has revealed the alarming extent of homelessness among Australia’s veteran communities.
Discover RPS social research insights
Community engagement critical in Australia's infrastructure race
Webinar: Creating a social legacy from the Brisbane 2032 Games
Drawing on insights from his work on social legacy initiatives for the London 2012 and Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, RPS Social Advisory and Research Executive Advisor, Dr Gary Cox discusses the legacy potential of Brisbane 2032 in a webinar hosted by RPS, in partnership with the Infrastructure Association of Queensland (IAQ).
Explore projects
WATCH: Social Value in Infrastructure Webinar
Related services
Key contacts
Rachel Cogger
Associate Director - Social Advisory and Research
