Professor Wendy Umberger - New President of the Policy Advisory Council

Professor Wendy Umberger - New President of the Policy Advisory Council

Professor Wendy Umberger, Executive Director of the Centre for Global Food and Resources, has been appointed as President to the Policy Advisory Council (PAC) by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Marise Payne.

The function of the PAC is to provide advice to the Minister regarding agricultural problems faced by developing countries and on the policies and programs in agricultural research aimed at providing effective solutions to those challenges. The Minister ensures a substantial number of PAC members are residents of countries other than Australia who possess a high degree of knowledge of agricultural problems of developing countries and / or have experience in organising or conducting agricultural research. The PAC is connected to but does not have a governance role for the Australian Centre International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), which funds the research work in the Indo Pacific region. 

“It is an honour to be asked by Senator the Hon Marise Payne to become President of the Policy Advisory Council. ACIAR does important work that makes a real difference on the ground to the many people in developing countries that depend on agriculture for their livelihoods and their country’s economic wellbeing. My colleague, University of Adelaide Emeritus Professor Kym Anderson has left big shoes for me to fill after six years of exceptional leadership in the role and I am looking forward to continuing the important work that’s being done.”Professor Wendy Umberger

Prof Umberger leads the Centre for Global Foods and Resources at The University of Adelaide, which conducts world-class interdisciplinary research addressing the economic, policy, agribusiness and social issues affecting global food systems. The Centre also delivers academic programs focused on producing graduates with the skills necessary to tackle the significant challenges and opportunities around agri-food and resources.

Prof Umberger has had a long association with ACIAR, leading multiple ACIAR-funded projects across the Pacific, South and South East Asia, and Africa. Currently she leads ACIAR research projects looking at smallholder dairy value chains in Indonesia and the Philippines, and agribusiness research capacity building.