'Australia's rural research, development and extension system - where to from here'
A seminar by Dr Michael Robinson
Director, Primary Industries and Climate Change Centre, University of Melbourne and Victorian Department of Primary Industries.
Australia's rural research, development and extension (RDE) system is potentially at a crossroads. For decades, it has produced outstanding productivity growth. However, the system is crowded and competitive; it is often labelled inefficient and ineffective; it is constantly developing strategy; and it is often reviewed either in part or as part of larger reviews.
There are a range of new initiatives underway which have the potential to change the system, for better or for worse. What are the options for our RDE system and how do we keep the best parts?
This seminar will look at the strengths and weaknesses of our current system, and explore some options and future directions. The need for significantly increased investment and efficiency in climate change related research will be used as an example throughout.
Dr Robinson recently commenced work to establish a new joint centre for primary industries and climate change research with the University of Melbourne and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.
Dr Robinson brings extensive experience in climate change research management through his roles as the Executive Director of Land & Water Australia, Chair of the National Climate Change Research Strategy for Primary Industries and the Chief Executive Officer of the CRC for Greenhouse Accounting.
Dr Robinson has worked in research, communication, business development and policy, in Australia and New Zealand, and is passionate about research informing sustainable and productive landscape management. He continues to lead the National Climate Change Research Strategy for Primary Industries and is a member of the Primary Industries Standing Committee Research and Development Subcommittee.
He has also worked with CSIRO in business development, management and communication roles, focusing on environmentally sustainable forestry. Trained as a scientist, his PhD examined the sustainability of using wastes to fertilise plantation forests, and was completed in 1999 with CSIRO and the University of Melbourne.
This seminar is part of the Dean's Seminar Series, Melbourne School of Land and Environment. To register your interest in attending, please follow the link to the seminar registration page.
