Last Friday the UWA's School of Agriculture and Environment (SAGE) celebrated the opening of the Centre for Agricultural Economics and Development (CAED). Close to 100 guests gathered on Thurling Green as UWA’s DVC (Research), Professor Tim Colmer, officially commenced the launch.
A heartfelt speech was given by SAGE’s Head of School, Dr James Fogarty, who recounted the long journey to the Centre’s establishment and introduced the newly appointed leadership team; Dr Marit Kragt, Dr Fay Rola-Rubzen and Dr Fiona Dempster.
The Centre Director, Associate Professor Marit Kragt, welcomed everyone, gave an overview of the centre including its vision and people, thanked the attendees and members of the Advisory Committee and announced our participation in two recent awards; an Australian Research Council (ARC)-funded Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Behavioural Insights for Technology Adoption (ARC ITTC - BITA) and the Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA)-funded Northern Beef project, Beeflinks: Producer insights for adoption outcomes (Beeflinks).
James Fogarty (SAGE Head of School), Marit Kragt (CAED Director) and Tim Colmer (UWA Deputy Vice Chancellor – Research)
Industry guests included distinguished professionals, scientists, researchers, practitioners and policy advisors from Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development, the Grower Group Alliance, Rabobank, Grains Research and Development Corporation, Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre, Daybreak Cropping, Future Green Solutions, Clear Grain Exchange, BHP, Woodside, the Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute, the UWA Institute of Agriculture, Curtin University and more.
Kerry Regan (DPIRD), Kadambot Siddique and Terry Enright (UWA Institute of Agriculture)
The outdoor venue was a buzz of activity with professionals from industry, research and government organisations connecting with the centre members, staff and students alike, to discuss the key areas of research needed in agriculture and how the centre will play a role in policy debate and industry initiatives.
Photos from the sundowner, Friday 29th October, 2021.
The centre members would like to extend our thanks to the fantastic group of colleagues and research collaborators from around UWA who continue to support us and attended the event.
Also, to our industry guests, especially our new Advisory Committee members, for visiting the UWA campus to meet our members and learn about the Centre. Your keen interest to work with us and connect us to current issues in agriculture is invaluable.
The centre’s aim to become a leading Australian research centre for economic and policy advice related to agriculture, agri-environmental management, agribusiness and food systems for the Asia-Pacific region, is clearly a supported, well aligned, and achievable goal.
More Information
Visit our new dedicated website: https://www.uwacaed.org/
Read the UWA Media Release: https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/Article/2021/October/Centre-for-Agricultural-Economics-and-Development-to-launch-at-UWA
Key Contacts
Centre Director: marit.kragt@uwa.edu.au
Deputy Director (International): fay.rola-rubzen@uwa.edu.au
Deputy Director (Industry): fiona.dempster@uwa.edu.au
Centre Manager (general enquiries): tamara.harold@uwa.edu.au
Fay Rola-Rubzen, Marit Kragt, Fiona Dempster (CAED Leadership Team)