Nuffield Scholarship

In Tamworth, ahead of the Nuffield Australian conference, Aimee Snowden was announced as 2023 Nuffield Scholar. Aimee uses LEGO® to engage people’s interest in agriculture and spark an interest in our diverse industry, through Little BRICK Pastoral. She plans to study agriculture education models that drive immersive experiences and engage curious minds. Aimee's scholarship is generously supported by AgriFutures Australia. 
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Nuffield Scholar Bio: www.nuffield.com.au/aimee-snowden-2023 

Pictured with Nuffield Australia Chair Rob Bradley (left), Nuffield Queensland State Committee Chair Nigel Corish (right)
Photo courtesy of Nuffield Australia

Being named a 2023 Nuffield Scholar is an honour. I am incredibly excited to be embarking on a journey that will build on the research of previous Australian and international scholars looking at agriculture education and engagement models around the world. And of course, LEGO!

Attending the Awards Dinner in Tamworth and our briefing day, and the subsequent National Conference and Regional Tours, gave me the opportunity to meet the other eighteen 2023 Nuffield Scholars. Like Australian agriculture, they are incredibly diverse, and are incredibly inspiring! I can't wait to share the Nuffield journey with them, to learn from them, and to take on many adventures over the next two years. 

2023 Nuffield Scholars
Photo courtesy of Nuffield Australia

For those who are just being introduced to the Nuffield Scholarship through my journey, the scholarship is a unique program offering those in agriculture a life-changing scholarship to travel and study an agricultural topic of their choice. The scholarship is the first step in joining the most influential agricultural network in Australia, and connecting with an approachable global network to learn from and build ideas with. It should be noted that whilst the research topic is central to your Nuffield travels, the scholarship is an investment in you and your capacity to lead Australian agriculture in your chosen area. Your topic may change during your travels as you find new information.

The scholarship runs for two years from announcement cumulating in the presentation of one's research findings in a report and presentation at a National Conference. Travel is a minimum of 14 weeks including both domestic and international travel which includes a week-long Contemporary Scholars Conference (CSC) to meet all the international scholars, and an intensive four-week Global Focus Program (GFP) to learn about global agriculture, agri-politics and economics. I will head to Canada in February ahead of the 2023 CSC to join scholars from around the world, and then in May will embark on my GFP to Singapore, India, Qatar, Germany and the United States, with 11 other scholars from across the world.

I am looking forward to sharing this journey with you!

And for those interested, applications for the 2024 Nuffield Scholarships open Monday 6 March. The application process begins with a written application, then a state-based selection interview, followed by national section interview. The application process is really worthwhile and a great opportunity to explore a topic you'd like to further research, to connect with previous scholars, and to build confidence in interviewing in front of a panel of at least 8!

Please reach out if you're interested in applying, want someone to read over your application, or want to chat through ideas!