The Soil CRC’s remaining PhD students and recent graduates participated in a cohort-led event in October, where they exchanged ideas, honed their communication skills and learnt more about the agriculture industry.
Held at Griffith University in Brisbane, the two-day event was organised by our PhD Program Manager Dr Cassandra Wardle with support from PhD graduates Dr Phil Kay and Dr Bhavya Mod, and PhD Program Committee members, Christopher Wilmot (Charles Sturt University), Evanna McGuinness and Ben Enguwa (both Southern Cross University).
“We brought the cohort together for one final in-person Soil CRC PhD event to enable them to connect with each other and with people from across the Soil CRC community,” said Dr Wardle.
“The event format and content were guided by our PhD students to ensure that it was as relevant and useful to participants as possible.”
Students engaged in practical workshops, panel discussions, and professional development activities, as well as group meals to encourage connection. The program concluded with a working brunch, where students came together as a group to complete workshop tasks, share ideas and reflect.
Soil CRC PhD students and recent graduates engaged in the in-person event at Griffith University.
Soil CRC CEO Dr Michael Crawford attended the event and said a highlight was being part of the senior leadership panel alongside our Chair Dr Paul Greenfield, board member Dr Peter Carberry, program leader Dr Lukas Van Zwieten and Birchip Cropping Group founder and board member Ian McClelland, who were questioned by our PhD students.
“Students learnt about the panellists’ respective career pathways and what we see as the future opportunities within our industry,” he said.
The panel was moderated by Dr Phil Kay, a recent Soil CRC PhD graduate, who helped to guide the conversation and draw out points of interest for students.
Left to right: PhD graduate Dr Phil Kay moderates the senior leadership panel; Event participants.
“Interacting with our Soil CRC PhD cohort is one of the most satisfying aspects of my role as CEO and it is rewarding to be able to play a small part in their research journeys.
“We have had 58 students commence PhDs with the support of our CRC and our partners, and many of them have now graduated and are in the workforce, contributing to Australian agriculture,” Dr Crawford said.
Four of our graduates shared their PhD and career experiences as part of the event’s PhD alumni panel, which was expertly moderated by Soil CRC PhD candidate Christopher Wilmot. Dr Kay and Dr Mod were joined on the panel by 2023 graduate Dr Rahat Shabir and recent graduate Dr Vijay Aralappanavar.
PhD Program Committee member Ben Enguwa said it was great to hear from industry experts involved with the Soil CRC.
“The talks by Soil CRC PhD alumni on their PhD and post-PhD journeys were enlightening too,” he said.
Participating students engaged in three skills-based workshops focused on developing fact sheets (led by Dr Wardle), communicating research impact and getting the most out of LinkedIn (led by Evanna McGuinness with support from SCU research translator and impact practitioner, Rebecca Lollback).
The cohort worked in pairs and small groups, bringing together a range of disciplinary, professional, and cultural perspectives. The aim was to expose different points of view that could help the students to see their work from a new angle and potentially to explain it more clearly.
Dr Wardle noted that the in-person event also highlighted the bonds that have been developed across the PhD cohort during their time with the Soil CRC.
“There were lots of hugs and promises to always remain connected. It was really beautiful,” she said.
Dr Crawford thanked Dr Wardle, Dr Kay, Dr Mod and our PhD Program Committee for coordinating and delivering a valuable and insightful student event.
“The event showcased the achievements of our PhD Program and its efforts to upskill our students and give them opportunities to develop their management capabilities and contribute to program activities,” he said.
“I extend our thanks to our expert panellists and participating PhD students who helped to make the event a success.”
The October event followed on from the Soil CRC’s PhD Q&A series and marks the last of the in-person cohort activities to be delivered through the PhD Program.