Programme
The format of the 2022 Symposium will be finalised in early 2022 and is likely to host a number of special focus sessions addressing contemporary issues and technical methods.
The programme will become available during August 2022. Keynote speakers will be announced here leading up to the event.
Below were our 2021 Keynote Speakers
Scott Swinton, Michigan State University (USA)
Opening Keynote Presentation: Precision Conservation in arable crop systems
Scott Swinton is a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics. His research examines agriculture as a managed ecosystem, focusing on decision analysis for enhanced ecosystem services. He concentrates on problems involving crop, pest, pollination, and nutrient management; precision agriculture; resource conservation; and bioenergy production. Throughout his career, Scott has worked on multidisciplinary teams (mostly with biologists) seeking ways to make agriculture more sustainable via improved technology, information, and incentives. His research has been cited over 11,000 times (Google Scholar). Scott currently teaches undergraduate managerial economics and graduate research design & writing.
Scott is a past president of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA), which AAEA named him a Fellow in 2020. He served as Case Study Editor of Review of Agricultural Economics, as well as associate editor of the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Precision Agriculture, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, and Journal of Production Agriculture, and as a member of three panels of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. Scott received Michigan State University’s William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award in 2015 and was named an Aldo Leopold Leadership Fellow through Stanford University in 2008. He holds degrees in Economics and Political Science (BA, Swarthmore) and Agricultural and Applied Economics (MS, Cornell; PhD, Minnesota).
Prof Swinton is our keynote presenter for our Special Session on Precision Conservation and Agri-Tech Economics
Scott Swinton, Michigan State University (USA)
Opening Keynote Presentation: Precision Conservation in arable crop systems
Scott Swinton is a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics. His research examines agriculture as a managed ecosystem, focusing on decision analysis for enhanced ecosystem services. He concentrates on problems involving crop, pest, pollination, and nutrient management; precision agriculture; resource conservation; and bioenergy production. Throughout his career, Scott has worked on multidisciplinary teams (mostly with biologists) seeking ways to make agriculture more sustainable via improved technology, information, and incentives. His research has been cited over 11,000 times (Google Scholar). Scott currently teaches undergraduate managerial economics and graduate research design & writing.
Scott is a past president of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA), which AAEA named him a Fellow in 2020. He served as Case Study Editor of Review of Agricultural Economics, as well as associate editor of the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Precision Agriculture, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, and Journal of Production Agriculture, and as a member of three panels of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. Scott received Michigan State University’s William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award in 2015 and was named an Aldo Leopold Leadership Fellow through Stanford University in 2008. He holds degrees in Economics and Political Science (BA, Swarthmore) and Agricultural and Applied Economics (MS, Cornell; PhD, Minnesota).
Prof Swinton is our keynote presenter for our Special Session on Precision Conservation and Agri-Tech Economics
David Zilberman, UC Berkeley (USA)
Opening Keynote Presentation: Precision agriculture - key ingredient for sustainable development
David Zilberman is a Professor, Extension specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Berkeley. David was born in Isreal and got his Ph.d at Berkeley. He has done fundamental research on the economics of bioeconomy, water, farming systems, environmental policy supply chain, risk and pest control. He is the recipient of the 2019 Wolf Prize in Agriculture and a member of US National Academy of Science and served as the 2018-19 President of Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA), and he’s a Fellow of multiple scientific societies. He has served as a consultant to the USDA, CDFA, the World Bank and FAO. Has served as a consultant to Mars Corporation, BP, and California commodity groups.
Prof Zilberman is our keynote presenter for our ISPA Economics Community Session: Economics and Adoption of Precision Agriculture
Opening Keynote Presentation: Precision agriculture - key ingredient for sustainable development
David Zilberman is a Professor, Extension specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Berkeley. David was born in Isreal and got his Ph.d at Berkeley. He has done fundamental research on the economics of bioeconomy, water, farming systems, environmental policy supply chain, risk and pest control. He is the recipient of the 2019 Wolf Prize in Agriculture and a member of US National Academy of Science and served as the 2018-19 President of Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA), and he’s a Fellow of multiple scientific societies. He has served as a consultant to the USDA, CDFA, the World Bank and FAO. Has served as a consultant to Mars Corporation, BP, and California commodity groups.
Prof Zilberman is our keynote presenter for our ISPA Economics Community Session: Economics and Adoption of Precision Agriculture
Laurens Klerkx, Wageningen University (NL)
Opening Keynote Presentation: Adoption of transformative technologies on the farm: connecting technology, individual and system oriented approaches
Laurens Klerkx is Full Professor of Agrifood Innovation and Transition at the Knowledge, Technology and Innovation Group of Wageningen University, The Netherlands, of which he has been part since 2002. He obtained his PhD from the same university and is an expert in the field of (agricultural) innovation studies, doing social science research and teaching and supervision (at Bachelor, Master and PhD level). Laurens (together with colleagues and his team of PhD students and postdocs) has done research in many countries, such as The Netherlands, England, New Zealand, Vietnam, Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Chile and Mexico. Throughout his career, Laurens has (co-)authored and published more than 120 articles in international peer reviewed journals. His work informs policy makers, through contributions to policy and practice oriented publications and direct engagement through invited presentations with organizations like the World Bank, the European Commission, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations Commission for Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Furthermore, he frequently interacts with practitioners through presentations and workshops on systemic perspectives on innovation and the implications for research and development professionals.
Laurens is, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, editor of Agricultural Systems, associate editor of Agronomy for Sustainable Development and a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability. He is a member of the steering committee of the International Farming Systems Association, member of the Science Advisory Panel of AgResearch Ltd (New Zealand) and has held several advisory positions for several research and innovation programmes and projects in Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and Latin America.
Prof Klerkx is our keynote presenter for our Centre for Effective Innovation in Agriculture Session: Adopting Agri-Tech Innovations
Opening Keynote Presentation: Adoption of transformative technologies on the farm: connecting technology, individual and system oriented approaches
Laurens Klerkx is Full Professor of Agrifood Innovation and Transition at the Knowledge, Technology and Innovation Group of Wageningen University, The Netherlands, of which he has been part since 2002. He obtained his PhD from the same university and is an expert in the field of (agricultural) innovation studies, doing social science research and teaching and supervision (at Bachelor, Master and PhD level). Laurens (together with colleagues and his team of PhD students and postdocs) has done research in many countries, such as The Netherlands, England, New Zealand, Vietnam, Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Chile and Mexico. Throughout his career, Laurens has (co-)authored and published more than 120 articles in international peer reviewed journals. His work informs policy makers, through contributions to policy and practice oriented publications and direct engagement through invited presentations with organizations like the World Bank, the European Commission, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations Commission for Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Furthermore, he frequently interacts with practitioners through presentations and workshops on systemic perspectives on innovation and the implications for research and development professionals.
Laurens is, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, editor of Agricultural Systems, associate editor of Agronomy for Sustainable Development and a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability. He is a member of the steering committee of the International Farming Systems Association, member of the Science Advisory Panel of AgResearch Ltd (New Zealand) and has held several advisory positions for several research and innovation programmes and projects in Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and Latin America.
Prof Klerkx is our keynote presenter for our Centre for Effective Innovation in Agriculture Session: Adopting Agri-Tech Innovations
Belinda Clarke, Agri-TechE (UK)
Dr Belinda Clarke is the Director of Agri-TechE, Europe’s largest commercial membership network connecting farmers and growers with researchers, technologists, entrepreneurs and investors. We bring together those who see innovation as way to enhance the economic growth, agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability of the agri-food value chain. Agri-TechE was named national Networking Group of the Year at the UK SME Business Awards 2019.
Belinda is also a Trustee of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and a Non-Executive Director of Agrimetrics, one of the UK’s Agri-Tech Centres, and was a member of the Council of UKRI-BBSRC (2015-2021).
She has a first degree from the University of Cambridge in Natural Sciences (Part II Plant Sciences) and a PhD in plant biochemistry following her research on starch production in peas and potatoes at the John Innes Centre. She is a Nuffield Scholar, an Associate of the Royal Agricultural Councils, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, Chartered Biologist, and a qualified business coach.
Dr Clarke will discuss and summate the outcomes from the Centre for Effective Innovation in Agriculture Session: Adopting Agri-Tech Innovations
Dr Belinda Clarke is the Director of Agri-TechE, Europe’s largest commercial membership network connecting farmers and growers with researchers, technologists, entrepreneurs and investors. We bring together those who see innovation as way to enhance the economic growth, agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability of the agri-food value chain. Agri-TechE was named national Networking Group of the Year at the UK SME Business Awards 2019.
Belinda is also a Trustee of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and a Non-Executive Director of Agrimetrics, one of the UK’s Agri-Tech Centres, and was a member of the Council of UKRI-BBSRC (2015-2021).
She has a first degree from the University of Cambridge in Natural Sciences (Part II Plant Sciences) and a PhD in plant biochemistry following her research on starch production in peas and potatoes at the John Innes Centre. She is a Nuffield Scholar, an Associate of the Royal Agricultural Councils, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, Chartered Biologist, and a qualified business coach.
Dr Clarke will discuss and summate the outcomes from the Centre for Effective Innovation in Agriculture Session: Adopting Agri-Tech Innovations
Derek Baker, University of New England (Australia)
Session Keynote Presentation: Digital agriculture as a disruption and transformation in food systems: Who gets value from it?
Derek Baker is Full Professor of Agribusiness and Value Chains at the University of New England in Australia, founding Director of the university’s Centre for Agribusiness, and helped establish the university’s business incubator which specialises in Agri-Tech startups. He holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics from the Pennsylvania State University, and a first degree in Farm Management and Animal Science from Massey University. Originally a farmer and agribusiness consultant in New Zealand in the late 1980s’ market reform period, Derek has since worked in over 40 countries at the interface of markets, policy and agribusiness. He spent 12 years in transition economies throughout Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union, China, Southeast Asia and Africa working with FAO, The World Bank, IFAD, Danida, DFID, USAID, EU and UK assistance agencies, and philanthropies. He then worked in private sector consultancy in Copenhagen, Denmark, before joining the then KVL (now part of the University of Copenhagen) to lead food industry innovation projects. In 2008 he joined the International Livestock Research Institute in the CGIAR, and was based in Nairobi, Kenya for 6 years, finishing as Program Manager for the Trade and Value Chains division. Derek is active in supporting agribusiness careers, and in value chain education curriculum development. He is a Board Member of the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association and is a managing editor of several academic journals. His research work is in performance issues in the food supply chain, and the role of technologies in regional development and sustainability. Most recently his work has extended to digital transformation and its elusive value proposition at firm and industry level.
Prof Baker is our keynote presenter for our Session on 'Agri-Tech Economics in Food Systems', and will be presenting on behalf of Simon Cook (Murdoch University, Australia), Elizabeth Jackson (Curtin University, Australia) and Dean Diepeveen (Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia)
Session Keynote Presentation: Digital agriculture as a disruption and transformation in food systems: Who gets value from it?
Derek Baker is Full Professor of Agribusiness and Value Chains at the University of New England in Australia, founding Director of the university’s Centre for Agribusiness, and helped establish the university’s business incubator which specialises in Agri-Tech startups. He holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics from the Pennsylvania State University, and a first degree in Farm Management and Animal Science from Massey University. Originally a farmer and agribusiness consultant in New Zealand in the late 1980s’ market reform period, Derek has since worked in over 40 countries at the interface of markets, policy and agribusiness. He spent 12 years in transition economies throughout Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union, China, Southeast Asia and Africa working with FAO, The World Bank, IFAD, Danida, DFID, USAID, EU and UK assistance agencies, and philanthropies. He then worked in private sector consultancy in Copenhagen, Denmark, before joining the then KVL (now part of the University of Copenhagen) to lead food industry innovation projects. In 2008 he joined the International Livestock Research Institute in the CGIAR, and was based in Nairobi, Kenya for 6 years, finishing as Program Manager for the Trade and Value Chains division. Derek is active in supporting agribusiness careers, and in value chain education curriculum development. He is a Board Member of the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association and is a managing editor of several academic journals. His research work is in performance issues in the food supply chain, and the role of technologies in regional development and sustainability. Most recently his work has extended to digital transformation and its elusive value proposition at firm and industry level.
Prof Baker is our keynote presenter for our Session on 'Agri-Tech Economics in Food Systems', and will be presenting on behalf of Simon Cook (Murdoch University, Australia), Elizabeth Jackson (Curtin University, Australia) and Dean Diepeveen (Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia)
Our 2021 Opening Session
The focus of the 2021 Symposium's opening session will discuss and address two pertinent issues to the development and adoption of agri-tech:
The panel includes:
The focus of the 2021 Symposium's opening session will discuss and address two pertinent issues to the development and adoption of agri-tech:
- Agri-Tech push or pull
- Enablers and Funders
The panel includes:
- Agri-EPI Centre Data & Automation Lead, Eliot Dixon
- Patrick Grote, Managing Director, Grimme
- Clive Blacker, Head of Arable Produce, Map of Ag
- Sophie Thorup, Head of Agriculture, Morrisons
- Professor James Lowenberg-DeBoer, Elizabeth Creak Chair of Agri-Tech Economics, Harper Adams University
Images from the 2019 Symposium