Leading research for development with impact

November 5, 2024

The Crawford Fund has returned to Penang, Malaysia to deliver the 6th Master Class in Agricultural Research Leadership and Management. Proceedings started on Sunday 3 November. Delivered in collaboration with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the Master Class bridges theoretical foundations and practical insights, offering a holistic approach to leadership and management in agricultural research. Over the next six days, participants will engage in an immersive and intensive program designed to equip them with the skills, strategies, and vision necessary to drive impactful change. Our CEO, Shaun Coffey reports from Penang: 

This year’s Master Class hosts 26 participants from across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific. These individuals, representing a rich tapestry of cultural and professional backgrounds, are united by a shared goal: to accelerate agricultural innovation and improve food security through effective leadership and governance.

The curriculum has been carefully curated to cover a wide array of topics essential to modern agricultural research leadership, including:

• Values-Based Management: Participants will learn how to lead with integrity, align actions with core values, and create an ethical research culture.
• Leadership Practices for Impact: Sessions will delve into adaptive and transformative leadership approaches that inspire teams and drive meaningful outcomes in research projects.
• Strategic People and Resource Management: Attendees will develop skills in resource allocation, team motivation, and leveraging human capital for maximum efficiency and impact.
• Advanced Strategic Planning and Evaluation: Emphasis will be placed on designing strategic frameworks that are agile, results-oriented, and able to withstand evolving agricultural challenges.
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity: Given the global scope of agricultural research, the program will offer training in cultural intelligence, ensuring that participants are equipped to engage effectively and respectfully with diverse communities.

The class modules will also tackle practical aspects such as conflict resolution, stakeholder engagement, and project stewardship. These areas are crucial for participants to master as they strive to support and implement sustainable agricultural solutions worldwide.

The program not only fosters skills development but also emphasises the importance of building a robust professional network. By connecting with peers and experienced practitioners from around the globe, participants will engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange best practices, and form lasting collaborations that extend beyond the Master Class. Colin Chartres, Lynne O’Brien, and Bec Cotton are again joining me in leading the course attendees thought a variety of exercises and workshops that focus on providing everyone with ideas and tools they can immediately put into practice.

I am excited to see the transformative impact that this Master Class will have on each attendee and, ultimately, on the broader agricultural research community. Already in the introductory session we have seen a great deal of energy as we all prepare for a week of rigorous learning, rich cultural exchange, and personal and professional growth. Together, we will try to push the boundaries of what’s possible in managing agricultural research for development and contribute to a more sustainable, food-secure future.