7-12-2006

Climate change, soils and water use issues in backyard gardens will go under the microscope over the next twelve months by the winners of the Land & Water Australia Senior Research Fellowships, announced overnight in Canberra.

Land & Water Australia Chairman Bobbie Brazil has congratulated the three winners, Drs Pauline Mele, Greg McKeon and Richard Stirzaker, and looks forward to the result of their efforts.
Each Fellow receives up to $100,000 to allow them to take a year off from their 'normal' jobs to concentrate on a field of research.

"So often our top scientists are caught up in the day-to-day management of staff, budgets and administration, and don't have the time to explore new topics, conduct an in-depth critique or develop a significant body of research," Mrs Brazil said.

"Land & Water Australia is acutely aware of the need to have skilled and experienced scientists if we want to continue to generate important research outcomes and deliver value for money from government and industry funded programs.

"Our Senior Research Fellowships are an important contribution toward investing in new knowledge, and we also thank their employers for releasing some of their finest people."

Dr Mele will look at how emerging technology is affecting our understanding of soil biology, and the changes that may be needed to help make better natural resource management (NRM) decisions.
Dr McKeon aims to assess whether current NRM policies for grazing lands are flexible enough to deal with climate change and determine what changes may be needed.

Dr Stirzaker plans to write the agricultural equivalent of CSIRO's Total Wellbeing Diet, using his extensive experience in irrigation efficiency, salinity and agroforestry to link the global debate on food security and NRM to the common backyard garden through not only facts and figures but practical advice.

The Senior Research Fellowships were presented by the Hon. Julie Bishop, Minister for Education, Science and Training, at Parliament House in Canberra overnight (6th December).

Eds: a one-page summary of each proposed research project is available on request, along with photos from the ceremony.



Media Enquiries: Kaaren Latham, 02 8204 3852, 0409 809 909, media@lwa.gov.au