The Master of Science in Agricultural Innovation at the ANU is the only degree of its kind in Australia. The degree equips students with a systemic understanding of farm and agri-food value-chains and the skills to integrate and adapt knowledge from different disciplines to design solutions to complex agri-food challenges.

Paris Capell will be one of the first graduates of the new degree program at ANU. From an environmental science background, she was drawn to the program because of its flexibility and interdisciplinary structure. Through the guidance of Dr Rachael Rodney Harris and Dr Craig Strong, she was able to tailor her studies to her interest.

“The degree has helped build a variety of experiences that I wouldn’t have been able to have in any other degree," Paris said.

“I really enjoyed being on the ground with producers and being able to see some of what I’d studied with academics from a producer’s perspective.

“Another awesome part of the degree is the connection to leading soil scientists: through that, I’ve been able to intern and be involved with different projects.”

During her time in the program, Paris has participated in a range of activities, from research projects involving fieldwork on rangeland rehydration in Far Western NSW, to science communication coursework. The best part of her degree however has been her involvement in the AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship sponsored through the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia.

“The Horizon scholarship has been a game changer for my studies. They have sponsored me to go to conferences like the Northern Australia Food Futures Conference and Carbon Farming Expo earlier this year and supported me to do work experience at Loam Bio where I now have a graduate role," she said.

“Even as I finish up the program, they are still providing opportunities to go to evokeAG in February 2023. For anyone in their final years of study at ANU, I couldn’t recommend the program highly enough.”

Applications for the next AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship open on 14 November for students studying a STEM degree with majors that align to agriculture. You can also find out more about the Masters of Agricultural Innovation here.