Program
Please note that this program is a preliminary draft. The schedule and session timings are current as of 17 March 2025, but subject to change. We recommend staying updated for any revisions or adjustments.
Conference themes
The theme for this year’s conference is “Seeding Connection: Bridging knowledge, policy and practice across Agriculture and Conservation”.
Our conference will centre around four themes that have been designed to capture the international, national and regional knowledge across seed science research, policy, management practice, and use of genetic resources that encapsulate the impacts of climate change, technological advancements, legal frameworks, and partnerships for agricultural and environmental sustainability. These themes are:
- Seeds in culture and society
Exploring Indigenous perspectives, initiatives and enterprises; collaboration through partnerships; and protocols, legal frameworks and policies related to the conservation, restoration, collection, distribution and use of native biodiversity for food, agriculture, forestry and other sectors. - Seed sourcing and end use
Exploring what factors affect seed sourcing and supply, and how advances in technologies and targeted strategies can maximise genetic diversity and guide applications in biodiversity conservation, restoration and grain crop production. - Seed biology and ecology
Exploring research, including the use of technologies, that provide insights into genetic diversity, seed storage behaviour, germination strategies and biological function of genetic resources to better understand seed ecology, seed microbiome, ‘difficult to germinate’ species, plant population dynamics and adaptation to advance agricultural productivity, restoration and conservation sectors. - Seed and gene bank management
Exploring how innovations, genomic and digital technologies, and data systems, methods and practices are being used to bank orthodox and non-orthodox taxa, improve seed quality and longevity, understand genetic diversity, and increase the utility of international, national and community gene banks for biodiversity conservation, agricultural crop improvement, and forestry applications.
Meet your Keynote Speakers
Mr Jacob Birch
Seeds in culture and society
Jacob Birch is a Gamilaraay man living and working on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. An academic; entrepreneur; and advocate for Indigenous food sovereignty, Jacob is particularly passionate about Australian native grains and all the intrinsic benefits they carry.
This has led him to work across disparate spaces as he takes a systems approach to use the reawakening of native grain foodways as a nation building opportunity. Jacob recently returned from North America where he was connecting with leaders in the Indigenous food sovereignty movement and gaining insight into the positive cascading effects that come from empowered Indigenous communities.
Jacob hopes to inspire Indigenous communities in Australia about the opportunities for healing, economic development, and self-governance that can be scaffolded around efforts to become food sovereign and food secure.
Dr Paul Gibson-Roy
Seeds sourcing and end use
A leading restoration ecologist, Dr. Gibson-Roy specialises in grassland and grassy woodland communities, working across universities, NGOs, governments, and private sectors to champion the protection and restoration of these vital ecosystems. His research and hands-on restoration work have played a significant role in conserving native grasslands and woodlands, which are key habitats that support biodiversity and essential ecosystem services.
Through his decades of expertise, Dr. Gibson-Roy has bridged the gap between research and practice, advocating for sustainable land management and large-scale habitat restoration. His insights are invaluable for anyone passionate about ecological conservation, restoration, and the future of our landscapes.
The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is generously supporting the attendance of Dr Gibson-Roy.
Prof Mathew G. Lewsey
Seed biology and ecology
Professor Lewsey’s research delves into how gene expression influences plant function, with his lab at the La Trobe Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Food bringing together genome scientists, engineers, computational biologists, and more.
His work bridges fundamental science and applied research, including how we can adapt plants for growth in space. With a career spanning top international research institutes (including the University of Cambridge, the Salk Institute, and the Centro Nacional de Biotecnología) Professor Lewsey is at the forefront of plant genetics and its future applications.
Dr Fiona Hay
Seed and gene bank management
With over 30 years of experience in seed conservation research, Dr. Hay’s career has spanned some of the world’s most renowned seed conservation institutions, including the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, the International Rice Research Institute, and now Aarhus University in Denmark. She continues to collaborate with international genebanks to advance seed science globally.
Dr. Hay’s research focuses on seed longevity, investigating the best times to harvest seeds, optimal drying techniques, and how longevity varies between and within species. Her work is fundamental to securing plant diversity for the future. As Chief Editor of Seed Science and Technology and President-Elect of the International Society for Seed Science, she is at the forefront of global seed research.
The International Plant Phenotyping Network is generously sponsoring the attendance of Dr Hay
Key Dates
Early Bird Registration close
30 May 2025
Speaker Notification
End May 2025
Program available
June 2025
Contact Us
Registration enquiries
[email protected]
Program & general enquiries
[email protected]
Conference
Hosts
Australian Grains Genebank
&
Australian Seed Bank Partnership
Conference organisers
Arinex Pty Ltd
