Dr Peter Thorburn
Chief Research Scientist and Digital Innovation Group Lead at CSIRO
Biography
Dr Peter Thorburn an agricultural scientist with strong multidisciplinary interests in the dynamics of soil-plant interactions. He applies digital skills, together with insights into technology adoption and economics to enhance the sustainability of agriculture, increasingly through tools such as financial instruments (e.g. insurance) and environmental market-mased instruments (e.g. carbon pricing mechanisms). These “instruments” change the risk/reward dimensions of farmer decisions and management. His research has won international awards and had substantial policy impact.
In addition:
• He represents CSIRO on the APSIM Initiative, the Joint Venture that own and produces the Agricultural systems simulator (https://www.apsim.info/)
• Is a member of the Steering Council of the international Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Program (https://agmip.org/ )
• Has served on national and international science advisory committees
Fields of Research
Current
- Agro-ecosystem Function and Prediction (070301)
- Agricultural Systems Analysis and Modelling (070105)
- Farming Systems Research (070107)
- Carbon Sequestration Science (050301)
- Simulation and Modelling (080110)
- Fertilisers and Agrochemicals (incl. Application) (079902)
- Natural Resource Management (050209)
Current Roles
-
Digital Innovation Research Group Lead
Leads a national research group developing widely used digital tools and services, based on cutting edge science (and technology), that result in increased farming sustainability. -
APSIM Initiative Steering Committee
Setting strategic direction in the Initiative to maximise the values delivered by APSIM. -
Adjunct Professor James Cook University
Agriculture Technology and Adoption Centre -
International Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Program
Member of the Steering Council
Academic Qualifications
-
1993
PhD
Flinders University
Professional Experiences
-
2018-present
Chief Research Scientist and Research Group Leader
CSIRO Agriculture and Food -
2012-2018
Senior Principal Research Scientist and Research Group Leader
CSIRO Agriculture and CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences -
2002-2012
Principal Research Scientist and Research Group Leader
CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences -
1996-2002
Senior Research Scientist
CSIRO Tropical Crops and Pastures and CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems
Achievements and Awards
-
2022-2022
Editor's Choice Certificate:
Future Generation Computer Systems -
2020-2020
Outstanding Paper Award:
Agricultural and Environmental Letters -
2017-2017
Director's Award for Collaboration, 2017 (Controlled Release Fertiliser Team)
CSIRO Agriculture and Food -
2013-2013
James E Truine Award for best agricultural paper (with Dr A Singels et al.) (28th Congress)
International Society of Sugar Technologists -
2007-2007
James E Truine Award for best agricultural paper (26th Congress)
International Society of Sugar Technologists (78th Congress) -
2004-2004
Kynoch Award for best agricultural paper (76th Congress)
South African Sugar Technology Association -
2002-2002
Kynoch Award for best agricultural paper
South African Sugar Technology Association