2nd Master Class in Research Management in Agriculture

Held at the Hyde Park Plaza Suites, Sydney

1 - 14 September 2002

Program

To see photographs taken during the Master Class click on the blue highlighted links.

Day 1 - Monday 2 September- Communication in Agricultural Research

8.30 – 9.00 Opening Remarks

9.00-10.00 The Australian Agricultural Research System.
Bob Clements (Executive Director, Crawford Fund)
Australia covers climatic regions ranging from tropical forests to Mediterranean zones and arid deserts. This variability is reflected in the range of crops, all introduced except some native trees. Australian agriculture has a long history of interacting with other countries and regions as export of agricultural commodities is a major component of the industry. Equally, research in agriculture has been a feature of Australia since before Federation as has been the desire to share this knowledge with other countries. There are a number of agencies by which this research expertise is exported to developing countries, particularly those in the Asian region.

10.00 - 10.30 Morning Tea

10.30 - 12.30 The Theme of Communication – Lecture
Prof Brian Stoddart (Pro Vice-Chancellor Research & International, UNE)
This session sets out to provide a general context in which the importance of communication in the R&D situation is explored. The session draws examples from a wide range of sources to illustrate some of the pressures that are brought to bear on researchers in direct and indirect ways. It also deals with how the "globalisation" of research brings a new dimension of issues that researchers need to consider. The session aims to underpin all other aspects of the program by setting a framework within which research is conducted.

12.30 – 2.00 Lunch and Reading

2.00-3.30 Case Studies (successful, and unsuccessful)
Prof. Keith Entwistle (Rural Science & Natural Resources, UNE)
Neil Inall (Facilitator)
There are a host of reasons for both positive and negative agricultural research outcomes and achievements, but one important component is the success or otherwise of communications strategies related to the products of the research. A series of case studies on successful and unsuccessful agricultural research projects will be presented. Reasons for success or failure will be analysed and discussed in the context of how communications strategies have influenced outcomes. Participants will be encouraged to draw parallels with the case studies and their own experiences of management of research projects, and to suggest how improvements in the communications process can enhance research outcomes.

3.30-4.00 Afternoon Tea

4.00-5.00 Interactive Discussions
Class participants will be selected to contribute to this session with examples from their own countries


Day 2 - Tuesday 3 September - Managing People in Research

Prof. Lester Burgess (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Sydney)
Most research in the agricultural and forestry sciences is now undertaken by teams of people. Many research programmes also involve collaboration between geographically separate teams. Research managers of international development projects may have responsibility for teams in different countries involving quite different socio-economic and cultural environments. Such international projects often involve complex supervision and reporting lines that make the role of the research manager challenging, difficult and frequently, frustrating. Consequently, managing the people involved in research teams is also a challenging and often demanding role for the research leader(s) (managers). However, effective management of people is a crucial component of effective and productive research. There is no one formula for success. Much can be learned by sharing ideas and experiences, a key goal of this day’s program.

8.30-10.00 Managing People in Research– Lecture

10.00 - 10.30 Morning Tea

10.30 - 12.30 Creating Teamwork - Dealing with Individuals
Selected participants will be invited to present case studies from their own countries that reflect these issues

12.30-5.00 Afternoon Excursion. To Sydney Botanic Gardens including packed lunch.
Participants will walk to the Royal Botanic Gardens passing Police Headquarters, Sydney Grammar School, the Australian Museum, St. Mary's Cathedral, the NSW Art Gallery and Domain. A packed lunch will be had in the Gardens (depending on the weather) following which we will walk through the Gardens down to the Harbour wall and back past the Tropical Centre and the rare and threatened species and Australia's first farm. At 2.30, Dr Brett Summerell, Manager of Conservation and Horticultural Research at the Royal Botanic Gardens, will present an overview of the RBG's three sites, the research structure and programme, the management programme including personnel, professional careers and mentoring, and plant pathology and alliances local, national and international. Afternoon tea will be at 3.30pm followed by a discussion on the role of the RBG’s research in quarantine and trade and the RBG’s plant pathology work in association with Lester Burgess in Indonesia. At about 4.20 pm we will visit the herbarium and then return to the Hyde Park.


Day 3 – Wednesday 4 September - Managing the Business of Research

A/Prof. Robin Jessop (Rural Science & Natural Resources, UNE)

8.30-10.0 Developing and Managing a Research Program - Lecture
This session will cover the key aspects of active research management. We will examine the need for a clearly defined research plan (with a limited number of well defined aims), aspects related to the value of collaboration with national and international research groups, the need for structuring the research proposal, budgeting requirements, reporting and publication production and extension of research findings. The following sessions will expand on developing time frames and progressions within research programs, how research support can be used to improve the output of research programs and how to assess the overall effectiveness of applied research programs. The afternoon sessions will expand on how to obtain sufficient funds to run
effective research programs.

10.00 - 10.30 Morning Tea

10.30 - 11.30 Research Infrastructure and Services. A/Prof. Robin Jessop

11.30 - 12.30 What Constitutes an Effective Applied Research Program?
Discussion Session ( Neil Inall & A/Prof. Robin Jessop)

12.30-2.00 Lunch and Reading

2.00-3.00 Guide Lines for Grant Applications. Prof. Bruce Holloway,
Prof. Jim McWilliam, A/Prof. Robin Jessop

3.00-3.30 Afternoon Tea

3.30-4.30 Class Assignment: Applying for a Research Grant
A/Prof. Robin Jessop and Prof. Jim McWilliam

4.30-5.00 Discussion of Applications.

Buffet Dinner to meet evening speaker

7.00 – 9.00 Informal Speaker Function and Interaction.
Speaker: Peter Core, Director ACIAR


Day 4 - Thursday 5 September - Priorities in Research Planning

When presented with a range of opportunities and threats from agricultural developments defining the priorities is an essential task. In this session we discuss a framework for defining priorities and then use a case study to examine how the theory can be applied in practice. The return from research investment needs to be assessed on the basis of the potential benefits that could be derived assuming a successful outcome and the probability of a successful outcome. Agricultural research opportunities therefore need to be assessed according to the attractiveness of the outcome and the feasibility of the project. Benefit cost analysis is based on these principles and helps to put monetary value on investments and returns given estimated probability of success. Approached in a systematic way even complex and very different research opportunities can be ranked and priorities defined.

8.30-10.0 What is Important, what is less important? - Lecture
Prof. James Rowe (Rural Science & Natural Resources, UNE)

10.00 - 10.30 Morning Tea

10.30 - 12.30 Class Exercise: Defining Research Priorities
Prof. James Rowe & Prof. Jim McWilliam
This session will be a simulation of a real situation. The groups will select their priorities using the methodology and come up with their set of priorities, which will be followed by a group discussion to compare results. The methodology of cost benefit analysis will also be discussed.

1.00 – 5.00 Afternoon Excursion to Bread Research Institute including lunch
The excursion will include a tour of BRI facilities and then an informal discussion focused on 2 topics: 1. How BRI manages the challenge of trying to do long-term strategic research against industry demands for shorter-term problem solving; and 2. The relationship between BRI and its knowledge of product quality and wheat breeding programs aimed at developing varieties that deliver specified quality.


Day 5 - Friday 6 September– Finance and Research

8.30-10.00 The Financial Aspects of Research Management – Lecture
Guy Roth (Research Program Manager, Cotton Research and
Development Corporation)
In this days session, participants will learn to: Appreciate factors driving the research environment in relation to finances; Outline a strategic and annual operating plan; Design a single project budget; Consider reporting mechanisms and monitoring; How to allocate funds; Manage a program of research projects and budgets; Understand a statement of financial position and performance; Manage finance problems.

10.00 - 10.30 Morning Tea

10.30 - 11.30 Constructing a Budget - Interactive Case Study

11.30 - 12.30 Financial Controls - Interactive Case Study

12.30-2.30 Lunch

2.30 - 3.30 Exercise: Reporting and Monitoring Guy Roth & Neil Inall

3.30 – 4.00 Afternoon Tea

4.00 – 5.00 Introduction to the Internet and email demonstration
(as preparation for Saturday morning lab session)
Prof. Ian Metcalfe & Brendan Doyle


Day 6 - Saturday 7 September– Computing and Research

8.30 - 12.30 Role of the Computer in Agricultural Research (Practical Computer Session at the University of Sydney) Brendan Doyle (Institute for Rural Futures, UNE), Prof. Ian Metcalfe (Asia Centre, UNE).
In this session, students will be briefly familiarised with PC based applications that are commonly used in research work. The use of email will be explored using both PC and Internet based email clients and list-servers as a source of contacts, networks, ideas and other research resources. This introduction will be followed by an overview of the Internet and in the use of Internet Explorer. Participants will work through the basics of navigating the Internet and move onto understanding concepts associated with using the Internet for research. The session will look at accessing primary and secondary data sources, on-line references and full text journals, library searches and archives.

Day 6 - Saturday 7 September– Afternoon FREE.


Day 7 - Sunday 8 September FREE. (Organised tour of Sydney)


Day 8 – Monday 9 September - Managing Stakeholders

8.30-10.00 Benefits from Australia’s Cooperative Research Centre’s Program- Lecture. Prof. Bernie Bindon (CEO Beef CRC, UNE)
In this session, participants will be briefed on the merits of the CRC’s Program as a model for collaboration research in Agriculture. Operations and achievements of the CRC for Cattle and Beef Quality will be outlined in detail. This Centre began in 1993 and has facilitated some of Australia’s most significant beef research initiatives. Finally, participants will examine a current case study using principles of the CRC’s philosophy to improve the profitability of emerging black beef farmers in South Africa (an ACIAR initiative).

10.00 - 10.30 Morning Tea

10.30 - 12.30 Interactive Case Study - Managing the Players

12.30-2.00 Lunch & Reading

2.00-3.30 Exercise to set up a collaborative Research Program for a particular region. Prof. Bernie Bindon & Neil Inall

3.30-4.00 Afternoon Tea

4.00-5.00 Class Exercise continued.

Evening visit to an Australian Home, including dinner.


Day 9 – Tuesday 10 September - IP and Research Collaborations; Societal & Environmental Context of Research

8.30-10.00 Intellectual Property and Research Collaboration Short Lecture + Interactive
Dr Bill Taylor (Commercial Manager – R & D, CSIRO)
Why should you, a research scientist or manager, worry about IP and patents? There are benefits if you do and risks if you don’t. A brief description of the international patent system will provide the basis for understanding how to deal with intellectual property in research collaborations. When do you need consider filing patent applications on your scientific discoveries? Can you use patented technology for “pure” scientific research? Examples will be presented of successful and unsuccessful collaborations where management of IP was important.

10.00 - 10.30 Morning Tea

10.30 - 12.30 Class exercise/interactive discussions. Bill Taylor & Neil Inall
Patent applications are published and patent databases are a valuable source of information on gene technology. In the first part of the exercise, we will access a useful website to search for patents on a specified aspect of gene technology to give hands on experience in searches. In the second part we will outline a hypothetical research collaboration based on IP developed in a lab which must also make use of patented gene technology identified in the first part of the exercise.

12.30-2.00 Lunch & Reading

2.00-3.30 Social and Environmental Implications of Research – Lecture
Prof. Amarjit Kaur (Economics, UNE)
The planning and assessment of new research projects in agriculture is a regular activity for all research managers. The task is a complex one because it entails decisions that impact on local communities. Managers are interested in the size and rate of change of various economic and socio-economic factors and their social and environmental impacts. Will the proposed strategies address the needs and expectations of society while at the same time ensuring environmental responsibility and adherence to international conventions? This section provides agricultural research managers with information that will help them achieve more effective management of agricultural research projects. It will enable them to: Think strategically about priorities in research programs; Assess social needs of societies; Comprehend the relevance of environmental factors; Address concerns regarding environmental responsibility, including public acceptance of changes in the use of agricultural resources; Appreciate the impact of environmental disasters.

3.30-4.00 Afternoon Tea

4.00-5.00 Case Studies - Research and Environmental Impact, Social Impact of Research, Gender Issues

Day 10 – Wednesday 11 September – The Extension of Research Results Prof. Roley Piggott (Economics, UNE)

8.30-10.00 Spreading the News about Research - Lecture. Prof. Roley Piggott
Various models that have been used to convey the results of research to stakeholders will be critically examined with the view to indicating the circumstances under which the various models work best. Weaknesses of the traditional linear model of extension will be emphasised and several examples of participatory methods will be discussed. The importance of engaging stakeholders in research design will be demonstrated through examples. Finally, attention will be given to the potential role of the Internet as a medium for conveying the results of research.

10.00 - 10.30 Morning Tea

10.30 - 12.30 Negotiating results with stakeholders – Interactive Prof. Roley Piggott & Neil Inall

12.30-2.00 Lunch & Reading

2.00-3.30 Forum on extension. Led by Neil Inall with a panel of Media/Extension people.
In this session the Class will hear from Stuart Hutton about KPMG and its role in agribusiness. Then there will be interaction with Bob Macadam, an academic and consultant who has facilitated farmer and rural groups within Australia and also in New Guinea, Nepal, Cambodia and Vietnam; also Darryl Anderson. a graduate in agricultural economics from the University of Sydney who is a producer of videos for farm television programmes and also for major agribusiness firms; Bob Freebairn, former District Agronomist at Coonabarabran in NSW for over thirty years. Bob will focus on face-to-face delivery of new technologies to farm families and family groups.; Ian McGarrity National TV producer for programs on rural issues; and Shane Mahoney, ABC Radio.

3.30-4.00 Afternoon Tea

4.00-5.00 Forum continued.

Buffet Dinner to meet evening speaker

7.00 – 9.00. Special evening discussion led by Prof. T.G. Reeves (formerly Director General, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, Mexico - CIMMYT)


Day 11 – Thursday 12 September - Assessing the Achievements – Research Evaluation Deborah Templeton (ACIAR, Canberra)

Given that poverty continues to be a major problem in Developing Countries and the resources for public investment in agricultural R&D are limited, measuring the level and distribution of returns to research has become increasingly important to assist management with decisions relating to the allocation of research funds. In this session, a demonstration of how to effectively assess returns to research along the research-to-impact pathway, using Bennett’s Hierarchy for project planning, monitoring and evaluation and the DREAM model for economic impact assessment, is given.

8.30-10.0 Evaluating the Research-to-Impact Pathway – Lecture. Deborah Templeton (ACIAR, Canberra)

10.00 - 10.30 Morning Tea

10.30 - 12.30 Measuring the Achievements of Research: A Practical Demonstration – Interactive session with selected participants Deborah Templeton & Neil Inall

1.00 - 5.00 Afternoon Excursion - Peri-urban agriculture
This excursion will take participants to vegetable farms in the Sydney outer Metropolitan area – box lunch included. The program will include visits to an Asian vegetable farm, and to a low cost, medium technology protected cropping farm for the production of cucumbers and tomatoes.

7.00 p.m. Master Class Dinner

Day 12 – Friday 13 September - Summary

8.30-9.30 Integrating the Components of a Successful Research Management System. Prof. Jim McWilliam
This session will attempt to summarise the management principles and practices that have been presented and discussed over the last 10 days and demonstrate how these form the integrated components of a research management system. As in all biological systems, some of the functions are more critical than others. These will be identified for the types of research systems being managed by the participants in this Class and their relevance and scope for adaptation discussed.

9.30-10.00 Discussion session

10.00 - 10.30 Morning Tea

10.30-11.30 Research results.…positive or negative.…need to be communicated
- Lecture. Neil Inall

11.30 - 12.00 Discussion session

12.00 – 2.30 Lunch

2.30 – 3.30 Summary discussion

3.30 – 4.00 Afternoon Tea

4.00 – 5.00 Final Discussion Session with participant input