Crawford Fund Medal: Robyn Alders 2014

Assoc. Prof. Robyn Alders AO is the recipient of the 2014 Crawford Fund Medal for her contribution to the world’s food security and to childhood nutrition, through her work on animal health. The Crawford Fund Medal recognises people who have made a considerable and continued contribution to international agricultural research through our programs and related activities. Each year, on the recommendation of State and Territory Committees, medals are awarded to a limited number of people.

For over 20 years Robyn has worked with smallholders and villagers promoting sustainable control of infectious diseases in chickens. She believes that healthy livestock directly support ecologically sustainable development, and improve livelihoods for rural communities.

For more than 20 years, Robyn has helped teams in Africa and Asia prepare for and control Avian Flu. During 2007–2009 in Indonesia, Dr Alders oversaw the training and communication components of the FAO Response Program for this devastating virus.

Another of Robyn’s achievements has been to introduce a heat-stable vaccine for Newcastle Disease (developed in Australia) in Africa.

Robyn has also been teaching at university veterinary schools since 2007, is currently a Board member of the Kyeema Foundation which works on technology and disease in developing countries and is a member of the Crawford Fund NSW Committee.

As stated in the Citation, “through all her work, Dr Alders continually guides people and communities and their livestock, the world over, to build up resilience and end global hunger and under-nutrition.” The Crawford Fund honoured the contributions of Dr Robyn Alders at the presentation of the Crawford Fund Medal during the 2014 Annual Parliamentary Conference.

Related material

Assoc. Prof. Robyn Alders AO Citation