The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) is a specialised institute at the University of Tasmania with a mandate to progress the agricultural industry of Tasmania.
Our vision is a sustainable future for cool climate agriculture and food production, through co-designed research, industry partnerships and education, fostering industry impact, and underpinning the growth of the Tasmanian economy.
We focus on industry relevant research and development, encouraging the industry adoption of findings, and the delivery of educational offerings relevant to Tasmania. This includes teaching the Bachelor of Agricultural Science and training higher degree research candidates who are vital to the industry’s future prosperity.
Close relationships across the agriculture and food value chain at a local, national and international level ensure we are connected with stakeholders and that our research and education priorities support industry needs and aspirations.
Importantly, TIA is a joint venture between the University of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Government and formed in 1997 by bringing together the resources of the Tasmanian Government with the scientific research and teaching capacity of the University of Tasmania.
TIA Director, Professor Michael Rose
TIA Leadership Team
Director - Professor Mike Rose
Deputy Director - Professor Dugald Close
Business Manager - Les Baxter
Associate Head Research - Professor Rob Shellie
Associate Head Learning and Teaching - Professor Alistair Gracie
Academic Lead (South) - Dr Shane Powell
Academic Lead (North) - Dr Stephen Ives
Centre Leader for Agricultural Systems - Professor Caroline Mohammed
Centre Leader for Food Safety and Innovation - Professor Rob Shellie
Centre Leader for Horticulture - Associate Professor Dr Nigel Swarts
Centre Leader for Livestock Production - Associate Professor James Hills
Director of the TAS Farm Innovation Hub - Sandra Knowles
Communications Manager - Jemima Hamer
TIA Advisory Board
Some of TIA’s work is funded by the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between the University of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Government. This work is monitored and evaluated by an Advisory Board, comprising of senior representatives from the University of Tasmania, Tasmanian Government, and industry representatives from Tasmania’s agriculture and food sector.
The Board advises on the strategic direction of research, development and extension activities that are undertaken by TIA and contributes to and endorses TIA's Strategic Plan.
A focus of the Board is to work with TIA to progress actions arising from the Tasmanian Government’s RD&E White Paper, Growing Tasmanian Agriculture – Research, Development and Extension for 2050.
University of Tasmania representatives
- Professor Nicole Webster, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research
- Angela Castles, Pro Vice-Chancellor Sciences and Engineering
Tasmanian Government representatives
- Jason Jacobi (Chair), Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRET)
- Mandy Clark, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRET)
Industry representatives
- Angelique Korpershoek
- Peter Skillern
- Elizabeth Skirving
- Peter Damen
