Dr Robyn Alders

Robyn Alders AO is an Honorary Professor with the Development Policy Centre within the ANU Crawford School for Public Policy and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University.  For over 30 years, she has worked closely with family farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia and Australia and as a veterinarian, researcher and colleague, with an emphasis on the development of sustainable infectious disease control in animals in rural areas in support of ecologically sustainable food and nutrition security.

Her current research activities include:

• Commissioner with the Lancet–PPATS Commission on Prevention of Viral Spillover: reducing the risk of pandemics through primary prevention and leading the development of an associated facilitation tool supporting communities to reduce the risk of disease emergence 
• Co-Lead of Socio-Economic Working Group, WOAH/FAO Network of Expertise on Animal Influenza (OFFLU) supporting global prevention and control of animal influenzas
• Member of the One Health working group within PREZODE (Preventing ZOonotic Disease Emergence), an international initiative that aims to understand the risks of emergence of zoonotic infectious diseases, to develop and implement innovative methods to improve prevention, early detection, and resilience in order to ensure rapid response to the risks of emerging infectious diseases of animal origin
• Member of the One Health Science-Policy Dialogue Working Group, co-led by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the French Agricultural Research Center for International Development (CIRAD) within the framework of the PREZODE Initiative
• Co-Chair of the Advisory Committee, Peste des Petits Ruminants Global Eradication Programme, providing strategic and technical advice to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Organisation for Animal health
• Member and ANU-lead researcher with the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence on "Research Excellence and Surveillance to Promote One health Solutions for Timor-Leste And the region (RESPOSTA)" strengthening collaborations between Australian, Timorese and Indonesian institutions undertaking One Health research based on local and regional priorities 
• Senior advisor to the UKRI-funded One Health Rationale to Investigate the emerGence ofAMR related to chicken Meat and Egg consumption (OHRIGAME) Project which is investigating the emergence of antimicrobial resistance related to chicken meat and egg consumption in the Vietnam and the UK.  

In May 2002, Robyn was the recipient of the Kesteven Medal, awarded by the Australian Veterinary Association and the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in recognition of distinguished contributions to international veterinary science in the field of technical and scientific assistance to developing countries.  In January 2011, she was invested as an Officer of the Order of Australia by the Governor General of Australia for distinguished service to veterinary science as a researcher and educator, to the maintenance of food security in developing countries through livestock management and disease control programs. In February 2017, Robyn was the recipient of the Inaugural Mitchell Global Humanitarian Award which recognises Australians and others supported by Australian aid who have made an outstanding contribution to the cause of international development.