Dr Emma Jakku

Dr Emma Jakku applies her expertise in the sociology of science and technology to help improve the effectiveness of technology development, implementation, and adoption processes. Her research examines the social and institutional context of digital transformation and responsible socio-technical innovation in Australian agriculture.

Her current research contributes to the Grain Automate program, which is examining perceptions of automation and pathways for the diffusion, adoption, and uptake of automated technologies on farms. These insights will help understand current and emerging needs, risks and opportunities for automation in the Australian grains sector and gaps in current automation products. This research is funded by Grains Research and Development Corporation (GDRC).

Previously, Emma led the Social Dimensions project within CSIRO’s Digiscape Future Science Platform, a program of research and development that created digital products to support next generation decision-making to help transform agricultural industries and environmental action.

She also contributed social science expertise to the Climate Services for Agriculture program, which is providing farmers and advisors with better climate information through tools such as My Climate View (https://myclimateview.com.au/). The Climate Services for Agriculture program is a collaboration between CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology, funded by the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund (FDF).

Other past research has focused on:
* researcher and stakeholder interactions in the participatory development of agricultural decision support systems;
* women's participation in sustainability initiatives in the Australian sugarcane industry; and
* transformational responses to climate change adaption in Australian agricultural industries.

Before joining CSIRO in 2003, Emma was lecturer and co-convenor of the course ‘Social Dimensions of Land Management’, in the Australian School of Environmental Studies, Griffith University.