The newly appointed Program Leads will oversee the co-design and delivery of the Collaboration’s research programs aimed at accelerating agriculture in Western Australia.
Their extensive experience and connections will help align the strong skills and knowledge within WA universities with those at government, industry and grassroots level.
The Collaboration’s research programs are focused on emerging issues across six key themes: Northern Agriculture, Grains Transformation, Climate Resilience, Agricultural Technologies, Aboriginal Science Engagement, and Capacity Building and Extension.
The appointments are: Dr Dean Thomas (Northern Agriculture Program Lead), Vanessa Stewart-McGinniss (Grains Transformation), Dr Kirsty Moynihan (Climate Resilience), Professor Ferdous Sohel (Agricultural Technologies), Kerrine Blenkinsop (Aboriginal Science Engagement), and Jenny Crisp (Capacity Building and Extension).
Collaboration Director Kelly Pearce said she was thrilled to have these respected agricultural scientists and leaders join the team, and she looked forward to working together to build impactful and enduring multi-disciplinary programs.
“Our experts have worked across a range of collaborator organisations and their diverse knowledge, skills, first-hand experience and industry links will help us attract and deliver the highest quality agricultural science and innovation for WA,” Dr Pearce said.
“The appointment and engagement of our new Program Leads will play a huge role in shaping the collaborative spirit that drives our success.”
The Collaboration was launched in July 2022 to bring a ‘Team WA’ approach to building research quality, capacity, careers and collaborations for future generations.
It includes the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, CSIRO, Grower Group Alliance, and WA universities: Curtin, Murdoch and The University of Western Australia.
The first three projects kicked off last year under the Collaboration’s Northern Agriculture and Grains Transformation programs, with more exciting projects set to be announced in this first half of 2024.
Each of these programs brings together investment from the State Government, our collaborator organisations and industry. Industry co-investment is a critical component ensuring the research undertaken is meeting industry needs.
