Newly appointed Australian Academy of Science Fellow, Professor Bob Furbank, has shared insights from a four-decade career in plant science during a wide-ranging interview on ABC Radio Canberra.

Speaking with host Adrienne Francis, Professor Furbank described the recognition as a great honour that acknowledges 40 years of work in crop biology, while also opening new opportunities to influence science policy, mentor researchers and strengthen public engagement with science.

An Innovation Fellow at the Australian National University’s Agrifood Innovation Institute, Professor Furbank highlighted his long-standing mission to bridge cutting-edge research and real-world agricultural outcomes. He emphasised the growing importance of translating scientific discoveries into solutions for food security, climate adaptation and sustainable farming.

The conversation also turned to challenges facing Australia’s research sector, with Professor Furbank warning that declining public funding and job losses are undermining the nation’s innovation capacity. He noted that reduced resources are limiting collaboration between universities, government and industry, with potential long-term impacts on economic growth and resilience.

Despite these pressures, Professor Furbank remains focused on supporting the next generation of scientists, helping early-career researchers build industry connections and lead large, multidisciplinary projects.

Beyond the lab, the interview explored his personal journey from a steelworker’s son in Wollongong to a leading scientist, as well as his passion for winemaking in the Canberra region, an experience he says has deepened his understanding of agriculture and climate change firsthand.

Professor Furbank’s interview on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), 666 ABC Radio Canberra, Canberra Afternoons, on 21 May 2026.