Dr Anika Molesworth | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Born | |
Nationality | Australian |
Education | Charles Sturt University, Deakin University |
Occupation(s) | Agroecology scientist, Climate change science communicator |
Known for | Climate change and food systems advocacy |
Awards | Woman of Influence, 2019 Young Australian of the Year, NSW Finalist, 2017 Young Farmer of the Year, 2015 |
Website | https://www.anikamolesworth.com |
Anika Molesworth is an Australian agroecologist and scientist. She is a public figure on issues of food security, nature conservation, climate change and rural community development. Molesworth currently sits on the Board of Directors of Farmers for Climate Action, [1] the NSW committee of the Crawford Fund, [2] and is a Governor of WWF-Australia. [3]
Molesworth was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. She studied a Bachelor of Science specialising in Agribusiness at Charles Sturt University (2007–2010), [4] a Masters of Sustainable Agriculture at Charles Sturt University (graduating with Distinction) (2012–2015), [4] and a PhD in Agroecosystems at Deakin University (2016–2020). [5]
Molesworth is an Australian agroecology scientist, farmer and public commentator on climate change, farming and food systems. [6]
In 2014, Molesworth established Climate Wise Agriculture, [7] which is a platform that shares knowledge on the topic of climate change as it relates to agriculture. She is a Founding Director [1] of Farmers for Climate Action, [8] a farmer-led organisation that advocates for climate solutions which support rural communities. She was appointed Deputy Chair of the organisation in 2020. [9]
Molesworth has worked in international agricultural development since 2014, including several projects with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. [10] Her research has focused on improving the environmental conditions and livelihoods of subsistence farmers. [10] [11] She was appointed to the NSW committee of the Crawford Fund in 2018, [2] which supports research and development in agriculture. Molesworth joined The Climate Reality Project in 2016, and under the guidance of its Founder and Chair Al Gore, became a Climate Reality Mentor in 2019. [12] Later that year, she travelled to Antarctica with the largest ever expedition of women in STEM. [13] [14] Her involvement with Homeward Bound [15] has positioned her as an advocate for gender equity, rural youth and climate change leadership. [16] [17] [18]
As a prominent science communicator [19] and frequent media commentator, Molesworth has had her work reported in The New York Times, [20] The Guardian, [11] [21] [22] The Conversation, [23] ABC, [24] [25] SBS, [26] [27] and other media outlets. [28] [29] [30] [31] She has contributed to reports with the Climate Council [32] and the Commission of the Human Future. [33] In 2017, Molesworth presented a TEDxSydney Youth talk “Farmers are key to a better future.” [34] Her first book is due to be published in 2021 by Pan Macmillan Publishers. [35]