Ms Jessica Fearnley

Facilitator, RAID Network, Crawford Fund, Australia Volunteer Program and Vietnam National University of Agriculture Project

Jessica Fearnley is Vice President of the Researchers in Agriculture for International Development (RAID) Network.  After completing a Bachelor of Rural Science, she received a Crawford Fund student award for her research in Cambodia, where she looked at adaptation of horticulture crops in different provinces. Jess now works as Development Officer for Temperate Fruits at the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Her work at NSW DPI is focused on research and extension working directly with industry and farmers to improve production sustainably in the apple and cherry industries. To complement her work, Jess is currently studying her PhD in carbon sequestration in perennial orchards to help horticultural growers mitigate and adapt to a changing climate. Jess is currently facilitating the Vietnam National Agricultural University collaboration with RAID which connects early to mid-career researchers in Australia and Vietnam to improve research and communication skills, and foster international working relationships.  

ABSTRACT

Early Career Researchers Working Effectively Together

The RAID/VNUA early career research and mentoring program represents a significant collaboration between the Researchers in Agriculture for International Development (RAID) Network and the Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA), with the support of the Crawford Fund and Australian Volunteers Program. This program aims to enhance research capacity and foster international collaboration through a structured mentor partnership model. Jessica will outline the attitudes, skills and capabilities needed by early career researchers to effectively work with researchers in developing countries and deliver high impact research. She will discuss how the project team have been working through a co-design and co-leadership process when working remotely, as well as the challenges this can sometimes present.  Jessica will also outline some preliminary outcomes that indicate a positive impact on the participants’ research capabilities and professional networks, and her thoughts on how others can learn from the project’s outcomes over the past 4 years.