Dr Michael Robertson

Deputy Director

https://people.csiro.au/R/M/Michael-Robertson

Contact

First name *

Please enter a valid first name

Last Name *

Please enter a valid last name

Email Address *

Please enter a valid email address

Your Enquiry *

Please enter your message to send to the contact

PRIVATE BAG 5
WEMBLEY WA 6913 AUSTRALIA

Biography

Dr Michael Robertson is the Deputy Director of CSIRO Agriculture and Food. He is based in Perth, Western Australia. His research background is in crop agronomy and simulation modelling, where his work has aimed to analyse and understand broadacre farming systems to inform better management regimes for economic, environmental and social outcomes.

After completing a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours), at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand in 1985, he studied crop physiology at University of Queensland, Australia, for his Doctor of Philosophy. Dr Robertson joined CSIRO in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, in the early 1990s to research the environmental limits to yield in sugarcane. He later relocated to Brisbane, where his research focused on the management, simulation and analysis of dryland cropping systems in the sub-tropics. As a member of the Agricultural Production Systems Research Unit, a joint venture involving CSIRO, he was responsible for the oversight of the development of the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) model. In 2005 Dr Robertson relocated to Perth where his research focus has been on dryland farming systems of the Mediterranean zone in Australia. Dr Robertson's research has extended to a number of international activities, primarily on smallholder dryland farming systems in southern Africa and northern China. Since 2009 he has been moving more into research management roles, whilst maintaining active leadership of a number of research projects. Some of these leadership roles have involve a national focus, and have required integration of research capability from a wide range of disciplines and locations across Australia.

As part of his current role he is leading an initiative in ‘digital agriculture’ that aims to bring together agricultural researchers and information and communication technology experts in CSIRO to explore new ways in which digital technologies can improve the way research is conducted and results are delivered to end users. He is also responsible for oversight of CSIRO Agriculture & Food's involvement in CSIRO's Missions and Future Science Platforms. He is leader for CSIRO's Floreat site in Perth.

Professional Areas

Academic Qualifications

1991

PhD University of Queensland
1985

Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Hons) University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Professional Experiences

1992-1996

Research Scientist
CSIRO Tropical Crops and Pastures, Townsville
1996-2005

Senior Research Scientist and Principal Research Scientist
CSIRO Tropical Agriculture and Sustainable Ecosystems, Brisbane
2005-present

Group leader
CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Agricultural Landscapes Program, Perth
2011-2013

Program Leader
CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Perth
2013-2014

Deputy Chief
CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Perth
2014-present

Science Director
CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Perth

Publications

We have publications by Dr Michael Robertson