3rd Master Class Program

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

Day 1 - Monday 2 February - The Nature of Agricultural Research

8.30 – 9.00 Opening Remarks

9.00-10.00 The Australian Agricultural Research System.
Professor Bob Clements (Executive Director, Crawford Fund)
30 Minute talk, and discussion.
Australia contains a very wide range of climates, including wet and semi-arid tropics, Mediterranean climates, temperate regions and arid deserts. This variability is reflected in the range of crops and livestock, all introduced. Australian agriculture has a long history of interacting with other countries as the export of commodities is a major feature of the industry. Agricultural research has been a feature of Australia since before Federation, and this is reflected in our unusual agricultural research system, which will be described. Australia has a long history of sharing its agricultural expertise with other countries, particularly those in the Asian region, and has developed mechanisms to facilitate this.

10.00 - 10.30 Morning Tea

10.30 - 12.30 What is Research- and why does it have to be managed?
Professor John Lovett
(Formerly Executive Director, Grains Research and Development Corporation)
20 min talk providing a model of steps that might be taken in addressing a research opportunity or challenge, followed by an exercise on National Research Priorities.
Research is a process of discovery. Some research is driven by curiosity. But much research is designed to deliver a return to those who invest in it. Governments may develop research priorities, to deliver benefit to the community. Companies may also develop priorities, but to deliver returns to their share-holders. Resources for research are limited, especially in the public arena where resources are also needed for defence, education and health. To maintain commitment to research good management – ensuring that budgets and deadlines are met, and expected outputs and outcomes are delivered - is essential. Good managers link research to development and to technology adoption, which may include commercialisation.

12.30 – 2.00 Lunch and Reading

2.00-3.30 What is Research- and why does it have to be managed? (Cont.)
Professor John Lovett 20 min talk on Graingene – a case study to illustrate the morning session and to provide a platform for consideration of research management, achieving outputs and outcomes, and evaluation, followed by an exercise on “Delivering the goods”.

3.30-4.00 Afternoon Tea

4.00-4.45 Round Table Discussion on Changing global research agendas.

4.45 – 5.00 Facilitator Summary
Participants write down the three most important things they have learnt from the day’s sessions.

Day 2 - Tuesday 3 February - Managing People in Research

Professor Tim Reeves (Agricultural Research Consultant,
formerly Director-General CIMMYT)
An organization’s people are its most valuable and important resource, but arguably the resource most challenging and difficult to manage effectively. Whilst modern recruitment and staff classification processes are essential prerequisites to successful human resources management (HRM) it is the leading, motivating, managing and rewarding of staff that provides the greatest test for managers, and particularly for managers in research/scientific organizations. In this component of the Master Class, participants will focus on the most critical elements of modern HRM, including:

Leadership
Performance evaluation and planning
Team building
Program based management (inc. matrix management)
Regional/national/international research alliances
Public sector/private sector alliances

The HRM session will comprise presentations, plenary and group discussions, and case studies of relevance to participants’ organizations.

8.25-8.30 Logistical Matters

8.30-10.00 Managing People in Research– 20 Min Lecture followed by discussion and case studies

10.00-10.30 Morning Tea

10.30-12.30 Creating Teamwork - Dealing with Individuals. Case studies

12.30–2.00 Lunch and Reading

2.00–2.50 Round Table Discussion

2.50–3.00 Participants write down the three most important things they have learnt from the day’s sessions

3.00-5.00 Afternoon Excursion To Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens.
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. 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.

Day 3 – Wednesday 4 February - Research Planning

8.25-8.30 Logistical Matters

8.30-9.15 Research Planning and Priorities – 20 Minute Lecture and discussions
Prof. James Rowe (Australian Sheep Industry CRC)
When presented with a range of opportunities and threats from developments in agriculture, defining research priorities is essential. In this session we discuss a framework for this task and use a case study to examine how to put it into practice. The returns from investment in research needs to be assessed on the basis of possible benefits that might be derived. Agricultural research opportunities therefore need to be assessed on the feasibility of the project and the attractiveness of the outcome. Benefit cost analysis is based on these principles and puts a monetary value on investments and returns given estimates of the probability of success. Approached in a systematic way, even complex and very different research opportunities can be ranked and priorities established.

9.15-10.00 Use of Benefit Cost Analysis

10.00-10.30 Morning Tea

10.30-12.30 Class Exercise: Selecting Agricultural Research Priorities
Prof. Jim McWilliam & Prof. James Rowe
A procedure for selecting agricultural research priorities will be used to undertake a priority setting exercise using “Southland” as the country and calculating the comparative priorities of a selected set of agricultural research opportunities (ARO’s).
Groups will report back to the Class to compare results and for discussion.

12.30–2.00 Lunch and Reading

2.00-3.30 Socioeconomic & Environmental Implications of Research
20 Minute Lecture and Discussions. Prof. Amarjit Kaur (Economics, UNE)
The planning and assessment of new research projects is a regular activity for all research managers in agriculture. This section analyses and sets out an agenda for making the development process work for disadvantaged groups, particularly women, and integrating environmental sustainability into research strategies. The task is a complex one and entails decisions that could impact on poverty reduction and bring sustainable benefits to local communities. Managers are interested in the dimensions of various socioeconomic and cultural factors and their social and environmental impacts. Consequently, the major challenge facing research managers is to manage the process of change in a fair and equitable manner while at the same time ensuring environmental sustainability and adherence to core environmental standards. The section provides agricultural research managers with information that will guide them in setting out an agenda for equitable and sustainable agricultural research projects. This information will enable them to: think strategically about priorities in research programs; assess the economic and social needs of societies; comprehend the relevance of cultural forces; promote environmental responsibility, including public acceptance of best practice in agricultural resource utilisation; and design strategies for sustainable development and poverty reduction.

3.30-4.00 Afternoon Tea

4.00-4.45 Case Studies - Research and Environmental Impact, Social Impact of Research, Gender Issues

4.45–5.00 Facilitator Summary; Participants write down the three most important
things they have learnt from the day’s sessions

5.45–7.00 Buffet Dinner to meet evening speaker

7.15–9.00 Informal Speaker Function and Interaction.
Speaker: Dr Elizabeth Heij, Facilitator, CSIRO Sustainability Network

Day 4 – Thursday 5 February - Managing the Organisation of Research

8.25-8.30 Logistical Matters

8.30-9.15 Managing the System of Research – 20 min Lecture followed by discussion.
A/Prof. Robin Jessop (Rural Science & Natural Resources, UNE)
The presentation will focus on the changes in the way agricultural research is organised into multidiscipline programs and projects. The greater devolution of responsibility and the need for collaboration within and between research institutions and greater interaction with stakeholders at all stages of the R&D.

9.15-10.00 Managing Research Staff, Facilities and the Budget (20 min Lecture and discussion)
Prof. Jim McWilliam (Agricultural .Research Consultant, Crawford Fund)
Other aspects of research management will be discussed including the management of the research scientists and support staff of the Institute, and the key facilities and resources.

10.00-10.30 Morning Tea

10.30-12.30 Class Round Table ( Key Questions)
Prof Jim McWilliam and A/Prof. Robin Jessop
Individual key questions concerning management will be given to each of the participants to answer and report back to the class.
The purpose is to gain information on management practices in the participants own system and to discuss the alternatives.

12.30-2.00 Lunch and Reading

2.00–4.45 Communication Forum/Excursion
Bluegum Room on Level 35 of the Commonwealth Bank, 52 Martin Place, Sydney Host: Steve Morgan, National Agribusiness
Manager.
Forum Panel Members: Alex Nicol, Neil Inall, Darryl Anderson and Ian McGarrity.
The Forum Panel Members have all produced national radio and television programmes for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and/or commercial networks. Their skills cover the basics of writing, interviewing and facilitating to utilizing the latest video and internet technologies as well as the design and implementation of strategic communication strategies for corporations involved in agricultural research and extension. All have worked with agriculturalists and broadcasters from countries in the Asian Pacific and in Africa.

4.45–5.00 Facilitator Summary; Participants write down the three most important things they have learnt from the day’s sessions

Day 5 - Friday 6 February– Research Collaboration

8.25-8.30 Logistical Matters

8.30-10.00 Interdisciplinary Research & Collaboration. (20 min.lecture and discussion)
Prof. Jim McWilliam
The realisation that most agricultural problems are components of a larger system and require a multidisciplinary approach has changed the way research activities are structured. It has generated the need for research institutions to develop multidisciplinary research programs comprising disciplinary staff from their own and from other institutions. This collaboration requires special planning and funding and can results in more effective research and greater efficiency in human and physical resources.

10.00-10.30 Morning Tea

10.30-11.15 The Australian Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Model
Prof. Bruce Holloway
The Commonwealth Government Cooperative Research Centres Program (CRC ) was launched in 1990. Since then over 100 Centres have been selected some of which have completed their contract term. CRC’s play an important role in the Australian innovation system. They bring together researchers and research users from universities, public sector research organisations such as CSIRO and business. They undertake long term collaborative research of high quality that contributes to national objectives.

11.15–12.30 Benefits from Australia’s Cooperative Research Centre’s Program:
The Beef CRC. Prof. Bernie Bindon (CEO Beef CRC, UNE)
20 Minute Lecture and Discussions.
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)

12.30-2.00 Lunch & Reading

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

3.30-4.00 Afternoon Tea

4.00-4.45 Introduction to the Internet and email demonstration (as preparation for Saturday morning lab session)
Prof. Ian Metcalfe & Brendan Doyle

4.45–5.00 Facilitator Summary; Participants write down the three most important things they have learnt from the day’s sessions

Day 6 - Saturday 7 February– Morning - Computing and Research

8.30 Meet in foyer at 8.30am, taxis to University computer Lab

9.00-12.30 Role of the Computer in Agricultural Research (Practical Computer Session). Brendan Doyle (Institute for Rural Futures, UNE), Prof. Ian Metcalfe (Asia Centre, UNE).
In this session, participants 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 on to 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 February– Afternoon FREE.

Day 7 - Sunday 8 February

Day 7 - Sunday 8 February Organised morning tour of Sydney Harbour

Day 7 - Sunday 8 February – Afternoon FREE.

Day 7 - Sunday 8 February – Evening The CGIAR System

6.00 pm Dinner – Garden Terrace Room 2nd Floor

7.00 – 8.30 pm "The CGIAR System: Managing its management"
Professor John Vercoe
Short presentation followed by round table discussions. Including:
1. An introduction to the CGIAR System and its Funding and Governance.
2. Changes in the CGIAR System and the way it does its business (Challenge Programmes).
3. The CRC Model for Research Cooperation and Partnerships.

Day 8 – Monday 9 February - Finance and Research; Intellectual Property

8.25-8.30 Logistical Matters

8.30-10.00 The Financial Aspects of Research Management – 20 Minute Lecture, round table discussions.
Guy Roth (CEO, Cotton CRC)
In this morning 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

10.30-12.30 Case Studies/Exercise [Constructing a Budget - Interactive Case Study: Financial Controls - Interactive Case Study: Exercise: Reporting and Monitoring]

12.30-2.00 Lunch and Reading

2.00-3.30 Intellectual Property. 20 minute lecture and discussions.
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 IP in research collaborations. These concepts will be developed in discussion exercises in which five key questions will be addressed:
What IP do I have?
Do I need to protect my IP and how should that be done?
Do I have a strategy to use my IP for maximum advantage in collaborations and in commercialisation?
Does my research require the use of IP owned by other parties?
How do I strike the right balance between open communication with scientific colleagues around the world and protection of my valuable IP?

3.30–4.00 Afternoon Tea

4.00–4.45 Class Exercise on IP

4.45–5.00 Facilitator Summary; Participants write down the three most important things they have learnt from the day’s sessions

Day 9 – Tuesday 10 February –Assessing the Achievements – Research Evaluation

Deborah Templeton & Ken Menz (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.

8.25-8.30 Logistical Matters

8.30-10.0 Evaluating the Research-to-Impact Pathway – 20 Minute Lecture and Discussions.

10.00-10.30 Morning Tea

10.30-11.30 Measuring the Achievements of Research: A Practical Demonstration – Interactive session with selected participants Deborah Templeton & Neil Inall

11.30-12.30 Class Exercise

12.30-2.00 Lunch and Reading

2.00-.30 Case Studies (successful, and unsuccessful) Ken Menz (ACIAR)
What makes projects successful/unsuccessful? What in fact, is success? Ken will draw on 16 years experience in the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) to seek answers to these questions. As might be expected, there are a myriad of factors involved, some more controllable than others, and requiring varying degrees of resource intensiveness. Despite this, several factors can be discerned which can help to achieve success. An attempt will be made to draw out factors that are relevant to the circumstances of the various participants through discussion and debate, and through observing practical lessons learnt from the ACIAR experience.

3.30–4.00 Afternoon Tea

4.00–4.45 Case Studies (successful, and unsuccessful) – Cont.

4.45–5.00 Facilitator Summary; Participants write down the three most important things they have learnt from the day’s sessions

Day 10 – Wednesday 11 February – Extension of Knowledge & Technology

Prof. Roley Piggott (Economics, UNE) & May Fleming (NSW
Department of Agriculture)

8.25-8.30 Logistical Matters

8.30-10.00 Spreading the News about Research – 20 Minute Lecture and Discussions.
Prof. Roley Piggott (Economics, UNE)
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

10.30-12.15 Negotiating results with stakeholders – Interactive session
May Fleming & Neil Inall
Discussions and Class Exercise.

12.15–12.30 Facilitator Summary; Participants write down the three most important things they have learnt from the morning sessions

12.45-5.00 Afternoon Excursion to NSW Forests Forestry Institute at Pennant Hills
Hosts: Alastair Howard and Bob Eldridge
Lunch on arrival at the information centre and Salinga cafe. Visit to hybrid eucalyptus nurseries and seed orchards, then walk through the BLUEGUM forest. Presentations on priority setting, managing major programmes, meeting the needs of their field staff in applied field research, linkages with other organisations like CSIRO and Universities; staff recruiting (emphasising OH and S issues) the out sourcing of lab work like soil and water testing; alliances with customers; formal, informal and licensing projects eg the Sub Tropical health Alliance; delivering outcomes and technology transfer; managing change and strategic planning; and communicating internally and externally. Visit Library and insect collection.

5.45–7.00 Buffet Dinner to meet evening speaker

7.15–9.00 Informal Speaker Function and Interaction. Speaker: Dr Sue Meek, The Gene Technology Regulator, Commonwealth Government

Day 11 – Thursday 12 February – Practical Skills

8.25-8.30 Logistical Matters

8.30–10.00 Guide Lines for Grant Applications and use of the Internet to obtain research funding.
Prof. Bruce Holloway & Prof. Ian Metcalfe
Short presentations & Discussion.

10.00-10.30 Morning Tea

10.30-12.30 Time Management. Fiona Simson
Learning how to effectively manage your time is a life-skill. Good time management techniques improve personal productivity on both a daily and long-term basis, and are essential to ensure that long-term personal, career and family goals are achieved

12.30-2.00 Lunch and Reading

2.00-3.30 Report Writing. Bob Macadam

3.30–4.00 Afternoon Tea

4.00–4.45 Round Table Discussion on the Importance of Practical Skills in Management

4.45–5.00 Facilitator Summary; Participants write down the three most important things they have learnt from the day’s sessions.

7.00 p.m. Master Class Dinner & Certificate Presentations

Day 12 – Friday 13 February

8.25-8.30 Logistical Matters

8.30–10.00 Question and Answer session. Reporting and feed back from participants. Prof. Jim McWilliam
Participants will have been each provided with a specific question related to research management and will each give a five minute presentation followed by general discussion.

10.00-10.30 Morning Tea

10.30-12.30 Question and Answer session. (Cont.)

12.30-2.00 Lunch

2.00–3.30 The Broader Significance of Research Management.

Food, Health, Trade and Biosecurity

Dr Paul Ferrar (formerly Research Program Manager, ACIAR)

Food is not only essential for sustaining life. It is a crucial factor in people’s health, and a core component of a nation’s culture. As nations develop, there is a shift from subsistence food as a means of survival to more elaborate and diverse food as a cash product that can increase a nation’s wealth.

This raises the status of food to a major traded commodity. At this point quality, quarantine, biosecurity and trade policy issues become important, to facilitate trade and prevent barriers. Biosecurity is also important because incursions of pests can destroy food production, both subsistence and cash cropping.

All these aspects need research, and good and wise research management will be vital.

General Discussion

Closing remarks – Professor Bruce Holloway

3.30 Afternoon Tea

END OF CLASS

Back to Master Class Page

Back to UNEAC Research Program

Back to Asia Centre Home Page