We are pleased to share the exciting news that Professor Kadambot Siddique, a Fellow in the Division of Natural Sciences and a Member of the Academic Committee of the CORE Academy, has been awarded the 2024 Crawford Fund Medal. Professor Siddique is an internationally renowned agricultural scientist, educator, and collaborator. He currently serves as Hackett Professor of Agriculture and Director of the UWA Institute of Agriculture at The University of Western Australia.
(UWA: https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/article/2025/may/accolades-grow-for-world-leading-agricultural-scientist)
The medal recognises those who have made a considerable and continued contribution to international agricultural research through the Crawford Fund’s programs and related activities. This prestigious accolade—one of Australia’s highest honours in agricultural science—recognizes his outstanding and enduring contributions to international agricultural research and development.
“I’m honoured to have my service to science education, outreach and advocacy recognised with this prestigious award,” Professor Siddique said.
“My passion for agriculture drives me to help shape the next generation of scientists by mentoring students and contributing to teaching and research at UWA and universities around the world.”
Crawford Fund CEO Shaun Coffey said the award recognised more than 35 years’ service by Professor Siddique to agricultural research, teaching and management in Australia and overseas, especially in the context of international agricultural research for development.
“Professor Siddique has served on the Crawford Fund WA Committee since 1999 and has led and co-led numerous international projects funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization,” Mr Coffey said.
“He’s made an outstanding contribution in the fields of crop physiology, production agronomy, farming systems, genetic resources, breeding research in cereal, grain legumes and oilseed crops.
“He’s maintained a focus on addressing food security through high-quality science and the training and development of other scientists from Australia and around the world.”
Professor Siddique was named 2023 Scientist of the Year at the Western Australian Premier’s Science Awards, became a Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences in 2024, and was appointed Special Ambassador by the United Nations FAO for the International Year of Pulses in 2016.
(Crawford: https://www.crawfordfund.org/news/2024-crawford-fund-medal-kadambot-siddique/)
He has pioneered research on chickpea, contributing enormously to the Australian industry and has bred and commercially released 13 grain legume cultivars (chickpea, lentil and grasspea).
On Research.com, Professor Siddique was ranked sixth in Australia and 37th in the world in 2025 for his publications and citations in Agronomy and Plant Science. In 2023, he was recognised in the fields of agricultural sciences and plant and animal science in Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers.
Professor Siddique will be presented with the award at the Crawford Fund’s 2025 Annual Conference, to be held in the Great Hall, Parliament House, Canberra, on August 11 and 12.
This accolade stands as a testament to Siddique’s visionary scholarship, unwavering dedication, and profound global impact. The Academy is honoured to count him among our deepest intellectual reserves, and joins in congratulating him on this richly deserved recognition.
Reference
1. Crawford Fund: https://www.crawfordfund.org/news/2024-crawford-fund-medal-kadambot-siddique/
2. UWA: https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/article/2025/may/accolades-grow-for-world-leading-agricultural-scientist