The Chair of Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI), Mr Bob Gordon, has welcomed the establishment of the new AFWI Research Advisory Committee.
The Committee will provide expert advice to the AFWI Board on forest and wood product research and innovation, ensuring that research activities are aligned with industry needs and maximising benefits for the broader forestry and wood products sectors.
“Bringing together experts from across industry and research strengthens AFWI’s ability to ensure our work reflects real-world needs,” Mr Gordon said.
“The Committee’s insights will be invaluable as we steer our research and innovation to better serve the forestry and wood product sectors.
“As we approach the announcement of the first round of funding under our National Open Call for Research, we are excited to mark the beginning of AFWI-funded projects.
“These initiatives will play a crucial role in advancing innovation and sustainability within the forestry and wood products sectors.”
Mr Gordon also acknowledged the role of the Committee in assessing and recommending these projects:
“The Research Advisory Committee has been integral to the selection process, ensuring that the projects we fund are supported by industry, deliver meaningful outcomes, and contribute to the broader goals of the sector.”
Chaired by Professor Rodney Keenan, the Committee includes leaders from academia, industry, and government.
The members of the AFWI Research Advisory Committee are:
- Professor Rodney Keenan (Chair), Honorary Professorial Fellow and former Chair of Forest and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne
- Mr Gavin Matthew, Chief Executive Officer, Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA)
- Ms Belinda Lengenberg, General Manager Strategic Resources, Timberlink
- Mr Simon Dorries, CEO, Responsible Wood
- Dr Shaun Suitor, Strategy Manager, Sustainable Timber Tasmania,
- Dr Danielle Wiseman, Research Scientist, Plantation Industry Pest Management Group
- Dr Craig Cowled, Lecturer Civil Engineering, Queensland University of Technology
- Dr Henri Baillères, General Manager Forests to Timber Products, Scion
- Dr Steve Read, Former Chief Coordinating Scientist, ABARES (Retired)
- Dr Jodi Mason, Head of Forest Research, Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA)
- Mr Peter Harding, Assistant Director, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)
- Dr Melanie Zeppel, Manager, Natural Capital and Carbon Analytics, New Forests
- Dr Chris Lafferty, Research and Development Manager, Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA)
