Primary Supervisors:
Dr Shabbir Ahmad | s.ahmad@uq.edu.au
Dr Mobashwer Alam | m.alam@uq.edu.au
Please contact Dr Shabbir Ahmad (s.ahmad@uq.edu.au) before submitting an application.
Duration: 30 hours per week; On site, UQ St Lucia Campus
Sustainability pressures are increasing the need for science-based innovation across horticultural industries. This project will evaluate the economic and sustainability benefits of selected innovations, such as improved rootstocks, precision irrigation, biological inputs, or post-harvest technologies, using published experimental evidence and industry data. The aim is to identify innovations with the strongest potential to improve productivity, profitability, resource-use efficiency and long-term industry sustainability.
Key activities student will undertake: The student will undertake the project for approximately 25–30 hours per week over six weeks. The project will be delivered in a hybrid mode, combining on-campus meetings and research activities with remote literature review, data compilation, economic analysis and report preparation.
Expected outcomes: The student will develop skills in literature review, evidence synthesis, research data management and economic evaluation tools, including cost–benefit analysis, gross-margin analysis, sensitivity analysis and scenario modelling. They will also gain experience in interpreting scientific evidence and presenting findings through a research report, analytical outputs and an oral presentation, with potential to contribute to a future publication.
Suitability: This project is suitable for 3rd–4th year students with a background in agricultural science, horticulture, plant science, environmental science, agribusiness, economics, statistics, or data science. Familiarity with Excel or other analytical software is desirable but not essential, as guidance will be provided.
