“A conference which was equal parts enquiring and inspiring”…Reflections from our Victorian Scholars

October 31, 2023

Our 2023 VIC scholars (left to right) Danielle Yiden Tang, Quintin Murphy, Louise Walker and Emma Gillingham pictured with Tim Reeves Crawford Fund Board Member, VIC Crawford Fund Committee Coordinator Bill Lewis, VIC Committee Chair Tony Gregson and VIC Committee Members Brendan Rodoni and Mellissa Wood.

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The Crawford Fund’s Annual Conference was held last 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.

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Four scholars from Victoria attended the 2023 Crawford Fund conference supported by our Victorian Committee. Highlights of their experiences have been captured below:

Emma Gillingham, La Trobe University
“In his opening address, the Honourable John Anderson AC, Chair of the Crawford Fund, spoke with admiration to the real-world progress achieved by agricultural research, and with optimism toward our ability to solve the problems of the future. This address set the tone for a conference which was equal parts enquiring and inspiring, and an environment where scholars were immersed in the experience of leaders in agricultural development.”

Quintin Murphy, Charles Sturt University

“The scholar program was a great opportunity to explore international agricultural research and get to know the other scholars and mentors. The excitement and passion for international agriculture from the other attendees has inspired me to explore the possibilities in international agriculture for development.”

Louise Walker, La Trobe University

“I am just six months into my PhD, and this experience as a Crawford Fund scholar has me so excited by the possibilities ahead. The conference and scholar days has encouraged me to ensure my research is meaningful and applicable to farmers and consumers across the world.”

Danielle Yidan Tang, The University of Melbourne and Agriculture Victoria

“The speeches and panel discussions by Dr Cary Fowler were both motivating and enlightening. Dr Fowler shared his reflections on past practices and the vital lessons to be learned from them, proposing new strategies for African countries to explore the potential of indigenous plants and stating that food systems are evolving based on nutrition. His insights were a clarion call, reminding us that the path to food security and resilience requires adaptability, innovation, and a deep commitment to learning from both successes and failures.”

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Read on for the full reflections of each VIC scholar: 

Emma Gillingham, La Trobe University

Mentor: Dr. Roya Khalil

The topic for The Crawford Fund Conference for 2023 was ‘Global Food Security in a Riskier World: Diversification for Resilient Food and Nutrition Systems’, and I was fortunate to attend as a Victorian scholar.  In his opening address, the Honourable John Anderson AC, Chair of the Crawford Fund, spoke with admiration to the real-world progress achieved by agricultural research, and with optimism toward our ability to solve the problems of the future. This address set the tone for a conference which was equal parts enquiring and inspiring, and an environment where scholars were immersed in the experience of leaders in agricultural development.

From keynote speakers including Dr. Cary Fowler, U.S. Special Envoy for Global Food Security, and Dr. Élaine Umbalijoro, CEO of CIFOR ICRAF – we heard about the need to spread ourselves across disciplines to understand increasingly complex global food networks. Of note was the emphasis on flexibility and adaptability for the robustness of food supplies, particularly in the wake of COVID-19 and conflict in Ukraine. This was reiterated by Crawford Fund medallist, Emeritus Professor Kym Anderson AC, who drew attention to the increasing uncertainty in economic markets over the past decade, and the impact this will continue to have on the efficacy of support provided to agricultural systems in developing countries.

As an early career scientist and researcher, it was thought-provoking to hear from panellists who reiterated that cultural sensitivity and cooperative efforts with local communities were inextricably tied to measures of success for international agricultural collaborations.

Scholars were privy to advice from Mike Foley, correspondent at The Age & The Sydney Morning Herald, and Dr. Anika Molesworth who spoke to the importance of communicating research through the media, and echoed the sentiment that food security is a story which resounds from the everyday lives of individuals. It was particularly interesting to hear from Ben Fargher, Cargill APAC, and Dr. Roya Khalil from Incitec Pivot Fertilizers, about how industry progress will depend on the profitability and efficacy of sustainable logistics and products across the agricultural sector.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to The Crawford Fund, and conference organisers for providing this opportunity. As scholars, we were afforded opportunities to network with professionals across many industries, and from every corner of the globe. As a PhD candidate in the field of molecular biology and plant nutrition, it was valuable to step outside my discipline, and has provoked an interest in the economics of international agricultural development which will extend beyond the conference. Securing global food supplies will require us all to look beyond our own expertise, and The Crawford Fund conference set an example of how this can be achieved. I look forward to attending again and drawing from the wealth of knowledge in attendance.

Special thanks to Bill Lewis, Victorian co-ordinator of The Crawford Fund, for the invitation to attend as a scholar for 2023, and to Dr. Roya Khalil – who provided invaluable mentorship throughout.

Quintin Murphy, Charles Sturt University

Mentor: Bill Lewis

The 2023 Crawford Conference explored the theme of “Global food security in a riskier world”. The conference, and the scholarship program was thought-provoking experience that opened my eyes to the world of agriculture for global development. My key takeaway from the conference is that we are living in an age of great change which puts pressure on global food security, but with these challenges comes opportunities and agriculture, as an industry, is key to solving these challenges.

The scholar program was a great opportunity to explore international agricultural research and get to know the other scholars and mentors. The excitement and passion for international agriculture from the other attendees has inspired me to explore the possibilities in international agriculture for development.

Some of the key takeaways from the scholarship program were:

• There are a lot of opportunities in international development.
• Be open to opportunities but have a plan for where you want to go.
• Be ready to take risks and talk to people about what skills are needed and develop those skills for yourself.

Another part of the scholar program that I enjoyed was the speed networking sessions and the trivia night. This was something that I was very hesitant about, as I often get quite nervous in these situations, but I found that these sessions were ran very well and it really helped me overcome my nerves.

Another highlight was the conference itself; the day was packed with inspiring speakers and thought-provoking discussions. Some of the highlights from the day were:

• Dr Cary Fowler’s keynote speech on creating global food security.
• On-farm risks for resilient food and nutrition systems by Prof. Wendy Umberger.
• The Conversation on policy settings for risk and resilience, moderated by The Hon John Anderson between Dr Cary Fowler, Prof Wendy Umberger, Emeritus Prof Kym Anderson and Dr Eliane Ubalijoro.

My key learnings from these talks are diversification. If we are to adapt to the challenges facing the world, we need to address on-farm and off-farm risks and diversify farming systems. This includes finding different cropping species that are adapted to local conditions and soil types.

The conference has opened my eyes to the world of international agricultural research and the possibilities that I am excited to explore in my future. Looking forward, I am joining the RIAD network to keep informed and connected with future opportunities. As I am studying my undergraduate degree, I will explore opportunities to be involved in international agriculture research in my future studies.

I would like to say a special thank you to my mentor: Bill Lewis, who encouraged me, and pushed me to make the most of the conference and the Vic committee for sponsoring my place at this conference.

Louise Walker, La Trobe University

Mentor: Brendan Rodoni

I am just six months into my PhD, and this experience as a Crawford Fund scholar has me so excited by the possibilities ahead. The conference and scholar days has encouraged me to ensure my research is meaningful and applicable to farmers and consumers across the world.

The theme for the conference; diversification for resilient food and nutrition systems, spoke dearly to my research passion which is ensuring the quality plant grains under climate change, while emphasising the environment. The speakers presented interesting insights from on-farm and off-farm perspectives. A major take away from these talks was that no one fix will be the answer. Any farming system, whether industrialised or smallholder run, are under the same pressures of the 3C’s, however each have their own intricacies. When it comes to working with breeders, farmers, processors, retailers, consumers, policy makers and current law, all aspects of the value chain must be considered before planning a strategy to increase food security resilience successfully and sustainably in that system.

A point emphasised across the 3 days, is that to achieve successful and sustainable results in a farming system, another 3C’s must be implemented, collaboration, consultation, and communication. No one breeder, social scientist, farmer, or politician will know the best way forward. It is essential, that we work together to face these radically challenging and dynamic environments ahead of us.

These ideas around and understanding of the value chain has helped me immensely in the broader scope of my own research. My study starts closer to the end point of the chain, investigating grain quality changes after heat and drought events. The start of this, may be farmer decisions to grow grain at certain times, responding to the environment, choosing certain cultivars, growing for tradition. There is a wealth of factors that influence the decision to grow, harvest and sell grains across the world, and these factors should be considered when investigating the final product.

This conference has helped me delve into the flow on implications of grain quality changes and how my results could influence farming systems within and outside of Australia in different ways.

The two scholar days bought a great contribution to my time with the Crawford Fund in Canberra. Getting to know the other scholars was priceless. We are all in similar, yet vastly different walks of life with a common interest in quality food for the future. The sessions of the scholar days were unlike any other talks or presentations I have heard. The discussions on media, working abroad, funding and taking a leap from those with experience were second to none.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time as a Crawford Fund Scholar, making a wealth of new friends and connections. I am so excited to see what is next.

Danielle Yidan Tang, The University of Melbourne and Agriculture Victoria

Mentor: Tony Gregson

Participating in the Crawford Fund Conference on “Global Food Security in a Riskier World: Diversification for Resilient Food and Nutrition Systems” was a profound and transformative experience that has left an indelible mark on my journey as a last-year PhD candidate in partnership with the University of Melbourne and Agriculture Victoria. This reflection encapsulates the key facets of my experience and the invaluable lessons I’ve garnered.

First and foremost, I must acknowledge the extraordinary privilege and luck that allowed me to be part of this international conference as a scholar. As I walked into the conference venue, the realisation of being surrounded by esteemed experts, passionate scholars, and renowned figures in the field of agriculture and global food security was overwhelming. It was a privilege I did not take lightly.

One of the most enlightening aspects of this experience was my mentor, Dr. Tony Gregson. His mentorship extended beyond mere guidance; he connected with me on a personal level and shared his wisdom. Through him, I had the honour of being introduced to influential figures whose work has a profound impact on global food security. These connections were empowering and inspiring, shaping my aspirations for the future.

What set this conference apart was the exceptional care provided to attendees. The organisers not only facilitated an environment for learning but also encouraged networking with prestigious experts. The opportunity to engage in candid discussions with individuals I would never have crossed paths with under normal circumstances was invaluable. These interactions broadened my horizons and deepened my appreciation for the diverse perspectives in the field.

The conference’s comprehensive coverage of topics, ranging from international agricultural development to addressing food security challenges in the face of the 3Cs – Covid, Climate Change, and Conflict – expanded my vision. It made me acutely aware of the myriad opportunities available for passionate graduates like me to contribute meaningfully to global food security and resilience.

Dr. Tim Reeves’ insights into the essential and specialised skillsets required in agriculture resonated deeply with me. His wisdom encouraged me to further commit to my research pathway, focusing on precision agriculture. I left the conference with a renewed determination to acquire the expertise needed to “bring it to the table” and make a tangible difference in the lives of farmers and food systems.

The connections I forged with fellow aspiring young professionals from diverse backgrounds are perhaps the most cherished aspect of this experience. The camaraderie and shared enthusiasm for addressing global food security challenges were palpable. These relationships are not just valuable; they are a testament to the power of collaboration and shared commitment to a common cause.

One of the conference’s most impactful revelations was the RAID network and its mission to help developing countries as partners rather than closed-minded practitioners. Hearing stories from volunteers and organisers about their efforts underscored the importance of global solidarity and knowledge sharing.

Moreover, the conference featured remarkable speeches that added depth and insight to the discussions. The speech by the ACIAR CEO, Professor Wendy Umberger, highlighted the critical role that risk and vulnerability play in global challenges, emphasising their compounding effects on food system resilience. This profound perspective served as a wake-up call, emphasising the urgency of addressing these underlying issues to build a more resilient future.

Furthermore, experts like Dr Warren Lee, Professor Kadambot Siddique, and others delved into the nutrition aspect of food security. Their discussions emphasised the importance of diversifying diets with a wide array of plants to support human well-being. This perspective added depth to the concept of food security, underlining the significance of not just the quantity but also the quality of the food available to people worldwide.

Most importantly, the speeches and panel discussions by Dr Cary Fowler were both motivating and enlightening. Dr Fowler shared his reflections on past practices and the vital lessons to be learned from them, proposing new strategies for African countries to explore the potential of indigenous plants and stating that food systems are evolving based on nutrition. His insights were a clarion call, reminding us that the path to food security and resilience requires adaptability, innovation, and a deep commitment to learning from both successes and failures.

In conclusion, my experience as a mentee at the Crawford Fund Conference was enriched by these speeches and takeaways. They emphasised that addressing the root causes of global challenges, diversifying diets for nutrition, and learning from the past are essential components of building resilient food and nutrition systems. As I move forward in my research on preharvest spatial mapping tools for Wimmera pulse growers, I will carry these lessons with me, striving to contribute to a more resilient and nourished world. The privilege of attending this conference, combined with the wisdom shared by mentors and the connections made, has fortified my resolve to make a meaningful difference in the realm of global food security.