“A key reflection from this conference…was the importance of collaboration …”- Our scholar reflections from QLD
September 15, 2025
The Crawford Fund’s Annual Conference was held last month in Parliament House, Canberra. As well as bringing together the world’s leading experts in agricultural science, research, policy, development and industry to address the conference topic, the Crawford Fund is committed to encouraging the next generation in international agriculture for development to the event via scholarships awarded through our State and Territory committees and scholar supporters.
Our 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 August and a growing and enthusiastic conference scholar alumni approaching 485.
Our competitive conference scholarships are offered to young people with a genuine interest in international agricultural research and development to attend the conference and a special set of activities that we have developed and shaped over the past 15 years.
Our other activities to encourage university students and early career researcher include highlighting opportunities in volunteering for projects overseas through the Australian Volunteers Program; our work with Researchers in Agriculture for International Development (RAID), and our special Henzell and Student Awards to enable students to experience overseas agriculture for development research while still at university.
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/Territory.
Once again, 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.
Two scholars were supported by our Queensland Committee. Highlights of their experiences have been captured below:
Francesca Earp, James Cook University
“A key reflection from this conference, evidenced both during the scholar days and the conference program, was the importance of collaboration. The presenters demonstrated the need for experts from many diverse backgrounds, cultures, and sectors to work together to address the holistic nature of development.”
Read on for the full reflections of each scholar:
Francesca Earp, James Cook University
Mentor: Madaline Healey
Earlier this month I attended the 2025 Crawford Conference as a Queensland scholar following my receipt of a Queensland student award in 2024. I am especially privileged as this marks my second time as a Crawford conference scholar. My first attendance was in 2019 as a New South Wales scholar. Being privileged to experience the scholar program twice has offered me a distinctive perspective, where I have been able to compare my journey from when I first entered agricultural development as a researcher with a focus on animal health to my current position as an early to mid-career researcher with a background in agriculture, development, and gender. This experience was particularly special because I consider my attendance at the 2019 Crawford conference as one of the key elements that inspired me to pursue studies in development and gender.
During the 2025 conference I realised the importance of community. This year I was fortunate to be paired with a wonderful mentor, Madaline Healey, an academic and practitioner who I have admired throughout my career. As part of my scholar experience Madaline generously invested time and energy into having deep and meaningful conversations with me both during and after the conference. Additionally, I had the privilege of meeting other scholars and mentors. A key reflection from this conference, evidenced both during the scholar days and the conference program, was the importance of collaboration. The presenters demonstrated the need for experts from many diverse backgrounds, cultures, and sectors to work together to address the holistic nature of development.
As well as providing a space for networking, the 2025 conference offered an opportunity for collective thinking and action. The 2025 conference theme ‘Global Food Security in a Riskier World: Diversification for Resilient Food and Nutrition Systems’ evoked a range of interesting and insightful presentations. I enjoyed both listening to and reflecting on session four: ‘Resilience through equity, inclusion and community participation’. In more recent years I have noted that there can sometimes be a disconnect between gender, development, and agriculture. It was great to see that there was a focus on the integration of gender and development in the food security conversation throughout the conference, and I look forward to seeing how participatory approaches will continue to be utilised by various actors and programs within the sector. I also enjoyed the focus on the experiences from practitioners working closely with target communities. In particular I was grateful for the honest reflections delivered by Ms Selane Tairea, a Research Officer from the Cook Islands Centre for Research. In the future I would love to see even more presentations delivered by practitioners and community members involved in agricultural development programs.
Overall, the conference and scholar program were a wonderful experience that fostered new relationships and important conversations. I am extremely grateful to the Queensland Committee of the Crawford Fund for the opportunity to attend this year’s conference. I am also grateful to the Crawford fund for their ongoing investment in next generation activities. Finally, I would like to extend my appreciation to Cathy Reade and Larissa Mullot for everything they do for the Crawford Fund and the scholars program.
Lucy Southworth, James Cook University
Mentor: Bill Lewis
Lucy’s reflection is pending – following travel for university research.
