ANU Lauches National Rural and Regional Research Institute

A new ANU institute established to promote research on rural and regional Australia was launched today by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, The Honorable Tony Burke. 

The National Institute for Rural and Regional Australia (NIRRA) was established in response to a need for leadership in rural and regional research that crosses institutions and disciplinary boundaries. 

Dr Linda Botterill, Director of NIRRA says that many of the major policy issues of the twenty-first century will impact heavily in rural and regional areas and an interdisciplinary approach is needed to address these economic, social and environmental challenges.

“We see our role as that of a clearing house or broker, making connections between rural and regional research funding bodies and researchers, between policy makers and the research community and between researchers across disciplines,” she said.

“The Institute’s key purpose is to build, enhance and promote the networks underpinning rural and regional research in Australia. We will have a virtual network accessible through the web, a network of contacts through government, other universities and industry bodies and a research network here at ANU.”

Thirty researchers from a range of disciplines across campus attended the first NIRRA workshop in March.

The workshop heard presentations from a number of organisations including the Australian Research Council, Land & Water Australia, the Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation and the National Farmers Federation. Presentations are available as vodcasts on the NIRRA website.

“Everyone has been very positive about the NIRRA initiative and there has been a high level of appreciation for the University’s leadership in this area from other tertiary institutions,” said Dr Botterill.

“There is widespread recognition that an institute of this nature is needed to raise the profile of rural and regional research and to improve the interface between the research community, research funding bodies and the policy community.”

If you would like more information about NIRRA or contact NIRRA's Director (Dr Linda Botterill on x51000 or NIRRA@anu.edu.au)