Rebecca Thistlethwaite, a dedicated agricultural researcher, traded city life in Sydney for the enchanting but unpredictable landscapes of Narrabri nearly a decade ago. A research associate at The University of Sydney Plant Breeding Institute, Rebecca is passionate about global food security, sustainable production and climate change impacts on agriculture. Her work focuses on enhancing food crop yields under adverse climatic conditions, addressing the pressing challenges facing Australian agriculture in the future.
Driven to empower early-career researchers in the agricultural sector, Rebecca plans to use the Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant to develop ‘AgriCom Connect’, a unique communications workshop and resources program. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between academia and growers/advisors, fostering impactful, industry-focused research. With a commitment to local community connections and two-way dialogue, Rebecca plans to ensure the program’s effectiveness by involving key individuals in each region to address current and future challenges in farming communities.