Join the ANU Agrifood Innovation Institute (AFII), the ARC Training Centre for Future Crops Development, and the ANU Gender Institute on Thursday 5 March, 10.30am–12pm for our annual event celebrating progress, collaboration and equity.

We’re excited to welcome Brondwen MacLean and Professor Lyndall Strazdins who will share insights from their diverse experience across research and industry. Their reflections will launch a dynamic, interactive session exploring opportunities and challenges affecting people working in today’s agrifood and research environments—from career development and wellbeing to climate change, innovation and sector transformation.

Together, we’ll look at practical approaches for thriving in fast‑paced workplaces, safeguarding the quality of your work, and navigating evolving expectations and technologies. With 2026 spotlighting the contributions of women farmers and agrifood professionals worldwide, our discussions will connect global themes to local action, highlighting how all of us—students, researchers, professionals and allies—can contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive sector.

This year’s gathering is especially timely as 2026 has been declared the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognising the essential—yet often overlooked—leadership of women across global agrifood systems. Their contributions span production, research, innovation, processing, trade and community resilience, aligning closely with AFII’s mission to support a thriving, equitable and future‑ready agrifood sector.

Enjoy light refreshments and connect with colleagues, students and early‑career researchers in a relaxed setting designed to spark fresh ideas and new collaborations.

For questions or dietary or accessibility needs, please contact the AFII team at agrifood@anu.edu.au.