“Each conversation I had provided me with a new insight, some advice or an opportunity to follow up on” – Our scholar reflections from the ACT
September 9, 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 ACT Committee. Highlights of their experiences have been captured below:
Nicola Roysmith, Australian National University
“As an undergraduate student nearing the end of my degree, I feel nervous surrounding my lack of a clear path moving forward, unsure of where I want to go, and whether I want to pursue a career in policy, research or work in the private industry – I feel as though this opportunity was a big first step out of my degree…Each conversation I had provided me with a new insight, some advice or an opportunity to follow up on.”
Diksh Preet Kaur Raina, Australian National University/CSIRO
“The combination of exposure to world-leading experts, the opportunity to interact directly with peers and mentors, and the emphasis on both technical excellence and community engagement has strengthened my resolve to pursue a career that bridges science and practice.”
Read on for the full reflections of each scholar:
Nicola Roysmith, Australian National University
Mentor: David Shearer
My experience at the 2025 Crawford Fund Conference as an ACT scholar was an extremely inspiring one where I felt supported and encouraged by every person I met and had to opportunity to learn from and connect with lots of amazing people. I am very grateful to Cathy Reade and the Crawford Fund for granting me this scholarship to attend the conference, to my mentor David Shearer, the ACT Committee and to the RAID Network for supporting me as a scholar.
I have always had a passion for food security and the environment and feel driven to apply my education in Environmental Science, and Development Studies to the challenge of feeding the globe whilst addressing the challenge of climate change. The Crawford Fund was able to grant me a significant opportunity and a foot in the door to be able to pursue the career that I have been passionate about since graduating high school.
As an undergraduate student nearing the end of my degree, I feel nervous surrounding my lack of a clear path moving forward, unsure of where I want to go, and whether I want to pursue a career in policy, research or work in the private industry – I feel as though this opportunity was a big first step out of my degree. With support from my mentor David and the scholar activities, I was able to meet a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds, which has given me insight into what a career could look like in this space.
I was able to speak to people from CSIRO Agriculture & Food surrounding advice on how to get involved with project work and met researchers from CSIRO’s soil team that I had applied for a studentship with a week prior. Speaking with ACIAR employees gave me insight into what a graduate officer role at ACIAR entails and how projects are run, and chatting with researchers from the ACT, NT and QLD inspired me to investigate doing an honours project next year. Each conversation I had provided me with a new insight, some advice or an opportunity to follow up on.
The speakers on the conference day were sensational, and each one had inspiring, thought-provoking work. I found it exciting to see so many disciplines being applied to food security and international agricultural development and as an environmental science/development studies student I felt encouraged to enter this interdisciplinary field. Hearing from the speakers and the RAID Network during the scholar days highlighted the diverse career paths that all the speakers had and how they got to where they are today.
The main lessons that I learnt from my experience was the importance of listening, getting your boots on the ground, saying yes to opportunities, and working with communities to learn and develop solutions together. Themes of keeping an open mind, connecting with people, and asking questions were repeated throughout speeches and conversations, and I will certainly bring all these lessons with me into the future.
In conclusion, I am extremely grateful to have been selected for this scholarship, I feel that being able to participate in this conference has widened my horizons, given me clarity about the opportunities available to me as a graduate, inspired me to take any opportunity, and allowed me to make meaningful connections with likeminded people. The Crawford Fund and RAID’s support of Next Gen Students through scholarships and other opportunities is incredible, and I feel very privileged to have been selected as a scholar.
I am so honoured to be a part of this community and can’t wait to see where I go in the next steps of my career journey.
Diksh Preet Kaur Raina, Australian National University/CSIRO
Mentor: Tony Fischer
Attending the Crawford Fund Annual Conference 2025 and participating in the Scholars’ Day program was a transformative experience that deepened my understanding of the global challenges and opportunities in food security, agricultural research, and international development. The program not only provided a platform to engage with leaders in the field but also fostered connections with peers, mentors, and practitioners who are shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.
The Scholars’ Day preceding the main conference was especially valuable. Through interactive sessions led by RAID Network members and experienced mentors, I gained insights into the diverse pathways that early- and mid-career researchers can pursue in agriculture and international development. I appreciated the openness with which speakers shared their career journeys, challenges, and lessons learned, from navigating international collaborations to building capacity in local communities. My mentor, Dr Tony Fischer, was especially generous with his time and advice. He encouraged me to think about the broader impact of my research, emphasising the importance of aligning scientific inquiry with practical outcomes for farming systems. His reflections on the evolution of agricultural science over decades, and the enduring importance of rigorous fieldwork, provided both perspective and inspiration.
The main conference itself was a remarkable gathering of policymakers, scientists, farmers, and students united by a commitment to ending hunger while protecting the planet. A particular highlight for me was the keynote address by Professor Glenn Denning, whose book “Universal Food Security” and decades of experience offered a compelling vision for how to build resilient food systems in the face of climate change and population growth. His message that global hunger is not inevitable, but a challenge solvable through integrated policy, investment, and science, left a lasting impression.
Equally inspiring were contributions from researchers such as Dr Alison Bentley, who spoke about harnessing genetics and breeding innovations to improve wheat productivity and resilience. Coming from a background in plant sciences, I found her perspective especially relevant to my own work, as it demonstrated how fundamental discoveries can be translated into tangible benefits for farmers worldwide. Dr Aditi Mukherji’s reflections on climate governance and adaptation for smallholder farmers also reinforced the urgency of ensuring that agricultural innovations are accessible, equitable, and socially inclusive.
Another highlight was hearing from early-career scholars and RAID members who shared their experiences working with communities across Asia, the Pacific, and Africa. For example, stories of capacity building and farmer engagement in Vietnam, Nepal, and the Cook Islands reminded me that research must be grounded in local realities to be impactful. These examples highlighted the importance of participatory approaches and the co-creation of knowledge, values that I aim to embed in my own professional practice.
Overall, the Crawford Fund Conference and Scholars’ Day left me inspired and motivated to contribute to solutions for global food security. The combination of exposure to world-leading experts, the opportunity to interact directly with peers and mentors, and the emphasis on both technical excellence and community engagement has strengthened my resolve to pursue a career that bridges science and practice. I am grateful to the Crawford Fund for supporting my participation and for investing in the next generation of researchers dedicated to addressing hunger, malnutrition, and environmental challenges. This experience has broadened my perspective and reinforced my belief that collaborative, innovative, and inclusive approaches are essential to shaping a more food-secure future.
