Curtin University has awarded the 2013 Haydn Williams Fellowship to an international expert in grain science and food security technology, whose research is dedicated to African food security.
The Haydn Williams Fellowship is offered to an academic of outstanding international reputation and broad academic interest and this year, has been awarded to Professor John Taylor, from the University of Pretoria in South Africa.
Professor Taylor is an expert in the science, technology and nutritional quality of grain-based foods. He specialises in the African grains sorghum and millets and their role in food security in Africa.
Professor Graeme Wright, Curtin’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Development, said an important aspect of the 2013 Fellowship was to help food scientists and people living in sub-Saharan Africa to develop their skills so they would be able to contribute to development in their own countries.
“Professor Taylor and Curtin research groups have unique and complementary expertise which, when brought together, is likely to make major scientific and practical contributions to the health of developing countries by promoting foods from sustainable local ingredients in both Australia and Africa,” Professor Wright said.
As part of the Fellowship, Professor Taylor will present public lectures at Curtin, offer specialist seminars and workshops and engage with members of the Curtin research and teaching community, including staff and students.
Professor Taylor said he was honoured to receive the 2013 Haydn Williams Fellowship, and looked forward to continuing his work in partnership with Curtin.
“I am looking forward to sharing with the Western Australian community my experiences of being a university scientist in Africa trying to apply my skills in grain science and technology to improve food security,” Professor Taylor said.
A public lecture titled ‘Food security in Africa – the important role of grain foods’, will be held on Thursday 8 August, 2013 from 6:00pm – 7:45pm at the Freda Jacobs Lecture Theatre (Building 108, room 102), at Curtin’s Bentley Campus.
