Centre for Plant and Food Science

» Hawkesbury Forest Experiment

Welcome

Welcome to the Centre for Plant and Food Science, a research centre in the College of Health and Science at the University of Western Sydney.

At the centre, we believe that research creates knowledge which contributes to important national aspirations - social wellbeing, economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and cultural vitality. The University of Western Sydney aims to develop a distinctive research profile focused on collaborative problem-solving research and significant regional engagement.

Within this context, the Centre for Plant and Food Science conducts basic and applied research into:

• plants, soil, and environment
• sustainable plant production systems
• food quality and protection.

Our approach to education and research is founded on strong links with higher education, government, and industry partners internationally. The centre attracts funding from Australian competitive grant schemes, and international funding agencies including AusAID, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Hassall and Associates, Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research, in addition to collaborative research agreements around the world.

On behalf of the centre, I invite you to contact us if you have any questions about our research or other activities.

Professor John Cairney
BSc (Hons) (Stirling), Cert Learn Tech H Ed (Leeds), PhD (Liverpool)
Centre Director

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Areas of Expertise

Our research strengths are broadly subdivided into three themes and associated research topics. The themes are underpinned by research concentrations and intersect with the University’s teaching programs. They also guide the centre’s priorities in terms of internal grants, scholarships, teaching reviews, and academic appointments. Our research training places and scholarships are allocated on the basis of an association with one or more of the research themes articulated below.

Plants, Soil, and Environment
Interactions between plants and their biotic and abiotic environment are investigated to improve the management of natural and managed ecosystems.

Sustainable Plant Production Systems
Methods to optimise complex plant production systems in real world situations are developed whilst maintaining their economic and environmental sustainability.

Food Quality and Protection
New foods that are palatable, safe and nutritious are developed whilst food protection research determines the critical food components and optimises their protection and utilisation by humans.

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Locations

The Centre for Plant and Food Science is based on Hawkesbury campus.

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More Information