Master Classes

Master Classes are the flagship training initiative of the Crawford Fund. They are often delivered in partnership with other key agencies, including ACIAR, CSIRO, CGIAR Centres, universities and State Governments. Master Classes are coordinated by Professor Shaun Coffey.

Since 1992, around a 1200 people have participated in more than 50 Master Classes, held in 14 countries across the Asia-Pacific, Africa and Australia.

Group photo of the participants of the Communication Master Classes, held in Brisbane from 26-31 May.

Delivered by experienced instructors, each class offers high quality tuition to early and mid-career researchers within the field they have already trained, and are actively working in, to build a higher level of expertise across emerging areas of science, policy and agribusiness.

Classes can consist of lectures, discussion sessions, video presentations, laboratory work and field visits. Skills covered include those relevant to the following areas:

  • Market access, biosecurity and food policy
  • Sustaining agriculture’s natural resource base
  • Global change and risk assessment
  • Science communication, information technology and intellectual property.
Hard at work developing key messages.

Visit our YouTube site to view videos of the following past Master Classes:

“It’s been a great privilege to be a part of the Master Class. I will share what I’ve learned with my colleagues and extension staff back home.”
Sarita, Researcher, Nepal

“The classes gave me skills to better communicate with people in rural villages. Now I can coach my junior staff to do the same.”
Tokintekai, Principal Agricultural Officer, Kiribati

The Fund actively seeks delivery partners for the Master Classes and welcomes enquiries and suggestions for the development of new topic areas. Australian research and training institutions wishing to get involved in the Master Classes are invited to contact Professor Shaun Coffey, Director for Capacity Building.

Bosi presenting her winning poster.

A brief overview of our Master Class program is available here, and to access news, videos and training stories on some of our past Master Classes, click on the links below:

2019 Master Classes

2018 Master Classes

2017 Master Classes

2016 Master Classes

2015 Master Classes

2014 Master Classes

2013 Master Classes

2012 Master Classes

2011 Master Classes

2010 Master Classes

2009 Master Classes

2008 Master Classes

2007 Master Classes

2006 Master Classes

2005 Master Classes

2003 Master Classes

Presenting certificates from ACIAR and Crawford Fund.