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.
Meet your Keynote Speakers
Mr Jacob Birch
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
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.
Dr Fiona Hay
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.
Prof Mathew G. Lewsey
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.
Key Dates
Abstract submissions open
10 Sep 2024
Abstract submissions close
17 Apr 2025
Registrations open
Mar 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
