Title ：Agricultural Land Use Conflict and Food Security: An Australian Case Study

Professor ：Amanda Kennedy， law-based multidisciplinary researcher

University：University of New England, Australia

Time ：13:30-14:30  22^nd of May

Venue ：Classroom No.12

Introduction ：Associate Professor Amanda Kennedy has extensive experience in law-based multidisciplinary research, particularly in the fields of agricultural land use and rural social policy. Her research utilises upon empirical methods to examine the effectiveness of the law in its application to agricultural issues. In this space, Associate Professor Kennedy has explored a variety of law and justice issues including the nature of conflict over natural resources and how it may be resolved; as well as evaluating the use of complementary mechanisms (such as social marketing tools) and other market based instruments to encourage compliance with regulation. In 2012, Associate Professor Kennedy was awarded a prestigious $375,000 Australian Government ‘Discovery Early Career Researcher Award’, a three year project grant to examine ‘Effective Systems for Managing Intractable Natural Resource Conflict’. The research focuses upon the justice implications of agricultural land use planning, examining how conflict over natural resource use (such as coal mining and coal seam gas drilling) develops within agricultural communities, and how it may be better managed.

Title：Brassinosteroid: A Biotechnological Target for Crop Improvement

Professor ：Priti Krishna，Plant Molecular Biologist

Time：14:30-15:30  22^nd of May

Venue：Classroom No.12

Introduction : Dr. Priti’s research interests lie in understanding molecular mechanisms underlying plant stress responses. Dr. Priti’s research group was among the first to establish the role of brassinosteroid, a relatively new plant hormone, in plant stress tolerance. Brassinosteroid controls many important agronomic traits such growth, yield, plant architecture, xylem differentiation, seed germination and others. This research has considerable potential for optimising plant growth and maintaining crop yields under unfavorable environmental conditions.