Proudly presenting our scholar reflections from South Australia
September 20, 2023
The Crawford Fund’s Annual Conference was held earlier this month in Canberra and online.
As well as bringing together the world’s leading experts in agricultural science, research, policy, development and industry, the Crawford Fund encourages the next generation in international agriculture for development to the event via scholarships awarded through our State and Territory committees and scholar supporters.
Our competitive conference scholarship program started in 2010 in the hope that by experiencing the Crawford Fund conference and network, our special program of activities around the conference and being mentored by inspirational experienced researchers, young researchers would be inspired and energised to be more involved. The results have been fantastic, with a great mix of youth and experience at our flagship event each year and a growing and enthusiastic conference scholar alumni approaching 450.
Our other activities to encourage university students and early career researcher include highlighting opportunities in volunteering for projects overseas; our work with Researchers in Agriculture for International Development (RAID), and our special international student awards to enable students to be involved in overseas projects as part of their university study.
One of the requirements of the scholarship is that each scholar provides us with a reflection on their experience. We will be providing these reflections over the coming weeks, grouped by State.
We would like to thank our wonderful mentors, mentioned alongside the scholar they supported, who volunteer their time and offer valuable guidance, support and insights to the scholars throughout the conference.
Four scholars from South Australia attended the 2023 Crawford Fund conference, supported by our South Australian Committee. Highlights of their experiences have been captured below:
Tayla Blight, The University of Adelaide
“As an undergraduate Agricultural Science student, my knowledge on international agriculture was limited prior to the conference. Attending the conference provided an excellent introduction into international agricultural development and practices. The conference speakers broadened my understanding and opened my eyes to many of the key challenges faced globally. A clear message throughout the conference was that the scholars and younger generation are the future for international agricultural research and development.”
Alison Gill, The University of Adelaide
“The conference and scholars’ program were invigorating, interesting, and rewarding. Both provided unparalleled networking opportunities, with facilitated speed networking, a networking dinner, and scholar-mentor relationships. I appreciated the guidance of my wonderful and knowledgeable mentor who introduced me to a range of experienced leaders in multiple areas of international agricultural development and crop research. This unique scholar-mentor relationship initiative worked wonders to connect the younger generation with experienced networks.”
Lachlan Jaensch, The University of Adelaide
“I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend the Crawford Fund’s annual conference in Canberra, titled Global Food Security in a Riskier World: Diversification for Resilient Food and Nutrition Systems. I was honoured to be chosen by the SA Crawford Fund Committee, and I went into the conference eager to learn and meet other likeminded researchers. However, I could not have possibly anticipated just how valuable this experience ended up being for me. As I am currently studying a Masters of Global Food and Agricultural Business, I found the conference theme was highly complementary to my current studies.”
Germàn Puga, Centre for Global Food and Resources, University of Adelaide
“The highlight was the one-day conference where we heard from well-known speakers. The conference program has been covered well, even in the media, so I will not comment on it. Instead, I want to mention something that fascinated me. That was how nice the senior attendees of the conference were when I approached them, and how helpful they were in sharing insights and information.”
Read on for the full reflections of each SA scholar:
Tayla Blight, The University of Adelaide
Mentor: Roger Wickes
I thoroughly enjoyed attending the 2023 Crawford Fund Conference as a conference scholar. I found it very inspiring to talk to many passionate researchers dedicated to improving international agriculture.
The conference explored the importance of global food security in a riskier world, including the need for diversification of resilient food and nutrition systems.
It was highly valuable to hear Professor Wendy Umberger’s presentation, especially how a farmer’s ability to mitigate risks has a compounding effect on food systems resilience and economic stability.
Two key themes I took away from the conference were the importance of crop diversification and the benefits in gathering diverse ideas through specialists from other industries.
Crop diversification is essential as there are many different crops that are underutilised. Many Indigenous crops are hardly grown but can be highly valuable, particularly to small holders. By growing a wider range of crops and increasing those crops that are currently underutilised, it will allow for greater diversity in the food supply chain. These crops are adapted to local climates and are often produced with less resource input, increasing the sustainability of their production.
Specialists from other industries (such as economists, plant scientists and policy makers to mention a few) are also key to food security, as they bring diversity in ideas and perspectives on how our food system can become more resilient. Harnessing their knowledge can be used to manage and mitigate production risk.
One of the Keynote speakers was Dr Cary Fowler, whom during his speech announced the astonishing figure that June 2023 was the hottest month ever recorded globally. This really highlights the significance of climate change and the need to adapt and become more resilient. Crawford Fund Medal winner, Kym Anderson further spoke about how the riskiness of agricultural production is increasing with climate change, as the uncertainties being faced by farmers have concurrently increased. We need to devise new practices to mitigate these risks to continue to meet production requirements.
As an undergraduate Agricultural Science student, my knowledge on international agriculture was limited prior to the conference. Attending the conference provided an excellent introduction into international agricultural development and practices. The conference speakers broadened my understanding and opened my eyes to many of the key challenges faced globally.
A clear message throughout the conference was that the scholars and younger generation are the future for international agricultural research and development. We are needed to make the change for developing countries.
The conference was very well organised with a full itinerary each day, balancing time spent in presentations with many networking opportunities. I have gained an array of networks from scholars, scientists, researchers, and Australian international agencies.
I would like to give a special thanks to my mentor, Roger Wickes for providing invaluable guidance, inspiration, and many industry contacts. I would also like to thank the Crawford Fund and RAID for the opportunity to be a conference scholar. I spent three days in Canberra that has left a lasting impression on how I can contribute to international agricultural development.
Alison Gill, The University of Adelaide
Mentor: Bob Clements
Agricultural researchers and farmers, both in Australia and internationally, will face challenges in providing food for growing populations in the coming years. Coupled with climate change, conflict, and COVID-19, these challenges will increasingly require research for development and diversification both on- and off-farm. I am interested in the responses of crops to climate change, with my PhD research focused specifically on industrial hemp water use and drought resistance. The 2023 Crawford Fund Conference was an invaluable opportunity to learn more broadly about global food security in what will inevitably be a riskier world.
The conference and scholars’ program were invigorating, interesting, and rewarding. Both provided unparalleled networking opportunities, with facilitated speed networking, a networking dinner, and scholar-mentor relationships. I appreciated the guidance of my wonderful and knowledgeable mentor, Bob Clements, who introduced me to a range of experienced leaders in multiple areas of international agricultural development and crop research. This unique scholar-mentor relationship initiative worked wonders to connect the younger generation with experienced networks.
A key takeaway for me was the advice to find a specialty in which you are a leader, but to also seek diverse opportunities to expand your knowledge and experiences. Diversifying our skills while remaining leaders in specific areas will be vital for successful careers. Our generation of researchers will need to think critically about specific issues while also considering and addressing broader, global challenges like food security. We were advised to connect with and learn from people in disciplines other than our own, as the collaboration of multidisciplinary teams will be required to solve these global challenges.
I noted the differing opinions on the role of underutilised vs. traditional crops. Dr Cary Fowler mentioned in his keynote that “new” crops will have a place in adapting agriculture to improve food security, while some other, experienced researchers may disagree. For me, this is an interesting debate because it relates directly to my research, prompting me to think critically about the most effective research approaches for advancing food security and how I can make meaningful contributions in the future.
Not only did I learn about international agriculture, but also discovered many opportunities for volunteering and capacity building in developing countries, through ACAIR, RAID, and other programs. One message that was reiterated throughout the conference and scholars’ program is to listen to farmers in developing countries and to avoid bringing your own agenda. We were advised to be open and willing to learning from farmers in these countries, rather than seeing it as purely an opportunity to impart our own knowledge.
While it is clear that both on- and off-farm risks will make agriculture an increasingly challenging field, it is also evident that numerous opportunities exist to find resilient solutions. Young researchers attending the 2023 Crawford Fund Conference will certainly be encouraged by the legacies left by influential researchers, as we look forward to making an impact in this industry. For me personally, the conference experience will undoubtedly be pivotal in shaping the trajectory of my career post-PhD.
Lachlan Jaensch, The University of Adelaide
Mentor: Sabi Kaphle
I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend the Crawford Fund’s annual conference in Canberra, titled “Global Food Security in a Riskier World: Diversification for Resilient Food and Nutrition Systems”. I was honoured to be chosen by the SA Crawford Fund Committee, and I went into the conference eager to learn and meet other likeminded researchers. However, I could not have possibly anticipated just how valuable this experience ended up being for me.
As I am currently studying a Masters of Global Food and Agricultural Business, I found the conference theme was highly complementary to my current studies. Having also previously studied health sciences, I was very intrigued with how nutritional and social science perspectives were going to be represented at the conference. Social sciences have an important role to play in international agricultural research, and at times I feel is underrepresented. It was very promising to see these themes feature prominently throughout the presentations with many researchers of social science disciplines in attendance at the conference.
One speaker who really resonated with me was Professor Kadambot Siddique. Prof Siddique discussed the emerging role of crop diversification and the adoption of Indigenous and underutilised crops to improve the resilience of farming systems. He also discussed how global food systems must consider broader factors beyond the farm (such as the surrounding environment, infrastructure, institutions, and people) to achieve nutritional outcomes and dietary diversity.
After hearing such detailed discussions of the many challenges faced with improving global food security, it could be easy to become disheartened and overwhelmed. However, I came away from the conference with a refreshed interest and passion to help smallholder farmers and those living in rural communities. Other takeaway lessons from the conference were the importance of adopting a transdisciplinary and systems thinking approach to big issues.
I have always been interested in agriculture, travelling, and helping others. As a result, international agricultural research for development always appealed to me but I felt opportunities to become involved were out of my reach. The scholar activities organised by The RAID Network were incredibly informative, and demonstrated to me the various ways I can become involved in international agricultural research for development. Additionally, the scholar activities provided a great chance to meet and network with other likeminded early career researchers. The diversity of our backgrounds and research disciplines made for very interesting discussions and has added some quality contacts to my professional network.
I am truly thankful for having the opportunity to attend the conference and the organised scholar activities. I would like to thank the Crawford Fund’s SA Committee for sponsoring me to attend, the RAID Network volunteers for organising the scholar activities, my mentor Dr Sabi Kaphle for her guidance and encouragement throughout the conference, and to Cathy and Larissa for all their work. This is an experience I will not soon forget.
Germàn Puga, Centre for Global Food and Resources, University of Adelaide
Mentor: Neil Byron
I am very grateful to the Crawford Fund for supporting me with a scholarship to attend their 2023 conference in Canberra. This has been a fantastic opportunity to learn more about international agricultural development and how to pursue a career in this area.
My learning process started at my interview with the Fund’s South Australian Committee when they asked me to name the CGIAR centres. I was very embarrassed about being only able to name a few. I was already following all CGIAR centres on LinkedIn, but the fact that I could not name them made me realise I should do more research on the international institutions driving agricultural development. That led me to learn more about this topic before the conference.
But the real learning started in Canberra the day before the one-day conference. There, I met my mentor, Dr Neil Byron. He has a strong background and experience in international agricultural development as well as in climate change economics. My main area of expertise is the analysis of climate risks and adaptation strategies, and that is a potential way in which I sometimes aspire to land into international agricultural development. As such, Dr Byron was able to give me extremely useful advice.
The first scholars’ day of activities was very good. We had the opportunity to hear from very experienced researchers, all sharing advice on the same topic: how to pursue a career in international agricultural development. Perhaps more importantly, there were multiple opportunities to network with the speakers, as well as with other scholars and their mentors.
We then went to the conference dinner, where we were able to hear insightful speeches and network with other attendees. The highlight was the one-day conference the next day, where we heard from well-known speakers. The conference program has been covered well, even in the media, so I will not comment on it. Instead, I want to mention something that fascinated me. That was how nice the senior attendees of the conference were when I approached them, and how helpful they were in sharing insights and information.
After the conference, we had a more relaxed quiz night with the other scholars. The topic was, of course, international agricultural development. That made this quiz night the best I have been to – far better than the typical spectacle-centred quiz nights that are usually featured in most bars.
The networking with scholars extended to the next day when we had the opportunity to get to know each other even better. At the same time, we also heard stories from speakers working in international agricultural development. The difference with the first scholars’ day was that we also heard from a journalist on how to publicise our research, as well as from less senior people working in the field.
I am very grateful to the Crawford Fund for this experience. In particular, I thank Roger Wickes and the other members of the South Australian Committee for this opportunity. I also thank Cathy Reade, Larissa Mullot, and RAID members for organising the scholars’ program.
