Turning ideas into policy influence

October 27, 2025

By Shaun Coffey FTSE FAIA CRSNZ FAICD

Over the past two months, the Crawford Fund for Food Security has been actively shaping Australia’s voice in the global dialogue on food and climate security. Our 2025 Annual Conference, “Progress and Prospects for Climate-Resilient Agrifood Systems: Actionable Recommendations for Policymakers and Practitioners”, set the tone for a rethink on food security. It brought together government, research, and industry leaders to move beyond discussion toward practical policy outcomes.

National coverage from ABC Landline, ABC Rural, and Reuters helped carry our messages to a broader audience: that food security is both a human right and a strategic opportunity for Australia; that the transition to net-zero must include social transformation; and that gender equity is fundamental to resilient agrifood systems. The conference confirmed our role as a trusted intermediary in translating scientific evidence into usable knowledge for policymakers.

Our scholars and emerging leaders have been powerful amplifiers of this message. Their reflections reveal a new generation ready to connect science, policy, and action. Their insights remind us that influence is built through institutions and people who understand how policy is shaped, informed, and implemented.

Our broader programs have continued to demonstrate impact: strengthening biosecurity capability in northern Australia, supporting sustainable seafood production, and expanding the networks that underpin regional cooperation.

With the appointment of a new Chair and Deputy Chair, the Fund enters a period of renewed policy engagement and strategic purpose. We will continue to advocate for investment in international agricultural research. Our submission in September to the Federal Government review – Feeding Australia: National Food Security Strategy – carried the central message that food security must be recognised as both a domestic necessity and a strategic imperative for regional security.

The Crawford Fund for Food Security remains a catalyst: turning ideas into influence, and influence into outcomes that matter.