Crawford Fund Medal

The Crawford Fund’s success is based on people: trainees and trainers who are seeking to make an enduring contribution to global food security. Their commitment and perseverance, often over long periods, mark the Fund out as a unique contributor. Many go unnoticed and their contributions unheralded.

Accordingly, in 2010 the Crawford Fund decided to recognise people who have made a considerable and continued contribution to international agricultural research through our programs and related activities. Medals are awarded to a limited number of people on the recommendation of our State and Territory Committees.

2023 Medal Awardee
Dr Tony Fischer FAIAST FTSE AM
For his significant contribution to global wheat production. Tony’s career started as a Research Agronomist in Wagga in the 1960s and went on to dizzying heights – working with Nobel Prize Laureate Dr Norman Borlaug, leading CIMMYT’s global wheat program, contributing to Australia’s impact in international agricultural research through various roles with ACIAR, CSIRO, the Crawford Fund and ANU. Tony has continually demonstrated scientific excellence to deliver development impact globally.

2022 Medal Awardee
Emeritus Professor Kym Anderson AC
For his contribution to the development of economics in the overlapping fields of international trade and political economy, with a strong focus on agriculture and products of importance to developing economies; and his contribution through leadership roles including with ACIAR, the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, the International Food Policy Research Institute and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology.

2021 Medal Awardee
Dr TJ Higgins AO FAA FTSE
For his national and international leadership of agricultural biotechnology research and its application to improved food security via the development of insect resistant cowpeas.

2020 Medal Awardee
Dr Brian Keating 
For his enduring significant contribution to international agricultural research via development of crop models and training programs, work on smallholder agricultural systems in Sub-Saharan Africa, and a more recent role in advising and supporting a number of CGIAR Centres and Programs.

2019 Medal awardee
Professor Lindsay Falvey FTSE FAIAS
For remaining practically and passionately committed, for over four decades, to the international contributions agricultural science makes to food security.

2018 Medal awardee
Dr Bob Clements AO
For his extensive and continuing contributions to international agricultural research

2015 Medal awardee
Dr Meryl Williams FTSE
Vice Chair Scientific Advisory Committee of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation and member of the board of Aquaculture without Frontiers (Australia)

2014 Medal awardee
Assoc. Prof. Robyn Alders AO
Principal Research Fellow in the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney

2013 Medal awardee
Professor Emeritus Robert (Bob) Gilkes
Former Winthrop Professor of Soil Science and Adjunct Senior Lecturer, School of Earth and Environment at the University of Western Australia

2012 Medal awardees
Professor Lester Burgess
Honorary Professor in the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment and Dean of Agriculture, University of Sydney
Dr John Schiller
Honorary Research Fellow, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Queensland