From field to classroom, Dr Molly’s inspiring future farm innovators
To earn her PhD at CQUniversity, Dr Molly O’Dea had to go back to primary school.
The South Australian farmer and researcher is part of CQU’s Agri-tech Education and Extension team, delivering innovative programs connecting the agricultural industry with schools, and growing tech skills and knowledge for new generations of primary producers.
Dr O’Dea’s thesis focused on Industry School Partnerships as part of the RACE (Raising Aspirations in Careers and Education) – Gippsland, funded by the Victorian Department of Education and CQU.
The project provided hands-on activities to primary and secondary students in the food bowl region of Victoria across 2020-2023 and now extends statewide as RACE – Victoria.
She said growing up in farming communities doesn’t necessarily give kids a full picture of life – and work – on the farm.
“Career opportunities in the agriculture sector are plentiful and diverse, but the industry really struggles with workforce shortages,” she explained.
“Australian students offer a large pool of potential future workers to tap into, but many don’t realise the breath of roles in the sector.
“Increasing students’ knowledge of the industry and aspiration for agricultural careers is essential to grow the industry’s workforce pipeline, and my research showed how industry-school partnerships are a promising way to improve connections and understanding.”
Tech-aware
As well as showcasing agriculture careers, RACE – Gippsland delivered incursions and excursions for students that introduce cutting-edge agri-tech, and built capacity in STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths).
For example, one fun primary-aged activity has students wear accelerometers whilst imitating cow behaviours, while classmates track different movement patterns via livestreamed data.
In 2025, more than1800 students from 43 schools attending a RACE – Victoria Agri-tech Roadshow or Food and Fibre Industry School Partnership (FFISP).
National solutions
Based in Yongala in SA’s Upper North, Dr O’Dea juggled the writing up phase of her PhD research with her role as a Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator at the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board, an initiative of Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Her PhD research found that facilitators are “critical connectors” to empower meaningful understanding through industry-school partnerships.
The findings are helping shape more projects across Australia, led by CQU’s Agri-tech Education and Extension team.
Across regional Queensland, applications are now open for female secondary students to join GrowHer, equipping participants with skills, mentorship, and connections to lead in AgTech.
CQU’s Gateway to Industry Schools Program: Agribusiness is also recruiting secondary school teachers across Queensland, for a free agriculture-focused professional development series.
Growing opportunities
Dr O’Dea crossed the stage with her PhD at CQUniversity Cairns graduation on Wednesday 22 April.
She paid tribute to her supervisors Professor Amy Cosby, Dr Jaime Manning, Dr Nicole McDonald, and Emeritus Professor Bobby Harreveld, and to all the industry and school participants in her project.
“While industry-school partnerships are common, there is very little research actually investigating their impact,” Dr O’Dea explained.
“It’s exciting to be part of highlighting what the collaboration can achieve, and shaping how we do them better in our most vital industry.”
Explore CQUniversity Agriculture pathways and discover more industry research via CQU’s Institute for Future Farming Systems and its Agri-tech Education and Extension website.
