ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½

Researchers

Research Associate

Research Assistance

Project description

Australian agriculture is currently facing the intersecting challenges of soil degradation, water depletion, biodiversity loss, climate change, and demographic changes. Simultaneously, research in agricultural robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) is being positioned to deliver precision agriculture (i.e. precise amounts of water and fertiliser as per information provided by AIs), in addition to the potential for robotics to carry out weeding, fruit and vegetable picking, food handling and packaging. While there has been considerable research into the technological benefits of AI and robotics, there has been little interrogation of the ethical and social issues which may be generated from this agricultural shift. The aim of this project is to improve understanding of the social and ethical issues raised by the application of AI and robotics in agriculture. The project is a cross-institutional collaboration. It will use a combination of online dialogue groups and citizen’s juries to engage with farmers, members of rural communities and consumer groups to explore and discover the social and ethical issues anticipated by these key stakeholders regarding the incorporation of AI and robotics into agriculture.

Funding

The project has received ARC Discovery Project funding to the total of $630,000AUD.

Timeframe

May 2023 to December 2024

Outcomes

• Academic benefits generated via new knowledge in philosophy, bioethics, applied ethics, and social studies of sciences.
• Likely to be central to discussions on the social and ethical implications of AI and robotics in agriculture, being the first to integrate stakeholder opinion with rigorous philosophical analysis.
• Provide significant social benefits through the facilitation of public deliberation regarding the risks and benefits of AI and robotics in agriculture. This will assist farmers, corporations and governments to develop publicly informed policies which reflect community needs and concerns.
• Academic papers published in highly regarded refereed journals.

Publications

Sparrow, R., Howard, M., & Degeling, C. (2021). Managing the risks of artificial intelligence in agriculture. NJAS-Impact in Agricultural and Life Sciences, 93(1), 172-196.

UOW researchers

 External collaborators

• Nicole Schembri, Senior Policy, Project and Engagement Officer,Animal Biosecurity, Biosecurity and Food Safety, NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI Website)
• Jane Bennett, Acting Manager Animal Bio Surveillance & Engagement, DRNSW Biosecurity & Food Safety, NSW DPI (DPI Website)

Project description

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly transmissible viral infection of cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and deer. As part of a larger program of research directed towards preparing Australia for an incursion, this project provided a scoping literature review and content media analysis to identify and understand public discourses surrounding the FMD control measures of animal culling and disposal and emergency vaccination.

Funding

This project was funded by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) to the amount of $36,174 AUD.

Timeframe

Short-term from 01 March 2023 to 31 May 2023

Outcomes

• A final report delivered to the NSW DPI, May 2023
• Presentation of key findings to the NSW DPI Co-design workshop, 26 June 2023
• Presentation to the Agri-Food Research Network Dec 4-7 2023, Tasmania.
• Two papers for submission to peer-reviewed journals, Dec 2023.

Researchers

UOW researchers

Project Description

Hendra virus (HeV) is a zoonotic disease transferred from flying foxes to horses, and from horses to humans through respiratory secretions or body fluids of infected horses. In Australia, there have been seven known cases of HeV in humans, resulting in four deaths. There is no specific research into horse owner/carer experience of equine HeV. The aim of this study is to better understand how these events are experienced, and made meaningful, by horse owners/carers and veterinarians. Understanding how people react and respond in these events can help inform safe responses to suspected and known cases of equine HeV, thereby reducing the risk of human infection. This is a qualitative study involving in-person interviews with horse owner/carers having a lived experience of an equine HeV event, in the NSW north coast and south-east Queensland.

Funding

Hunter New England Local Health District, NSW Health

Outcomes

Communication and education interventions to (1) prepare and support horse owners/carers to reduce the risk of HeV in people, and (2) provide training for veterinarians in managing these situations. For veterinarians and other government officials, the interventions may provide insight to help owners adopt advice and facilitate the collection of biological samples necessary for ongoing disease surveillance. Papers will be prepared for peer-reviewed journals, and attendance at conferences and other events.

Publications

• Taylor J, Thompson K, Annand EJ, Massey PD, Bennett J, Eden J-S, et al. 2022. Novel variant Hendra virus genotype 2 infection in a horse in the greater Newcastle region, New South Wales, Australia, One health, 15:100423. DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100423
• Kropich-Grant JN, Wiley KE, Manyweathers J, Thompson KR, Brookes VJ. 2023.  Communication Interventions and Assessment of Drivers for Hendra Virus Vaccination Uptake, Vaccines, 11(5) 936. DOI: 10.3390/vaccines/11050936

Researchers

• Sittichoke Chawraingern
•  (Primary Supervisor)

Project Description

The goal of this PhD study is to understand the impact of antibiotic resistant policy on Thai pig farmers from global health approach. In the last decade, many international organisations including WHO, OIE, and FAO has addressed a concern over drug-resistant pathogens. The intensive use of antibiotic in the livestock industry is regarded as a considerable influence on selecting and transmitting the resistant microbes. One health approach is raised for improving the stressful situation. Thailand adopts both the concern and the approach to govern antibiotic overuse in the country that pig farmers become a group targeted by policymakers due to their growth promoting and prophylactic usages. However, antibiotic resistance and use are inseparable from economic conditions, and epidemics and epizootics encountered by the pig farmers. My study will provide a critical analysis of global public health policy which might be useful for designing a One health-based policy on antibiotic resistance and other human-animal-environmental challenges that will be more democratic and sustainable.  

Researchers

• Cheryl Travers
•  (Primary Supervisor)
•  (Co-supervisor)
• Non-UOW Co-supervisor  (University of Calgary)

Project Description

The goal of this PhD study is to learn more about the relationship between emergency frontline responders and pet owners in natural disasters like fires, floods and storms. The increasing frequency, scale and intensity of natural disasters can affect whole populations and is an emerging and important public health issue. Emergency managers from all levels of government have identified a lack of understanding of people’s behaviour toward animals in disasters and people not taking responsibility for their animals, as barriers to the integration of animals into emergency management. People can make evacuation decisions based on their pet’s welfare and create risk for themselves, emergency responders and others. Research into the human-animal bond and the implications for public health and disaster management is in its infancy in Australia. My study will add to a growing knowledge base, which we consider essential to effective disaster preparedness and responses, and to the promotion of health and wellbeing post-disaster.

Outcomes