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Date released
15 September 2026

ACIAR Learn is an online learning platform designed for researchers involved in current and recently completed ACIAR-supported projects and initiatives. It provides support to ACIAR research stakeholders across the Indo-Pacific region.

First launched in 2021 at the height of the pandemic, ACIAR Learn responds to the needs of partners by offering bespoke training. The platform features a range of research-for-development topics, including understanding gender equality and social inclusion, scientific data analysis and interpretation, values-based leadership, writing empirical journal articles and ethics in research. 

From September 2026, live facilitated sessions will return to the platform, following strong demand and great feedback. Live sessions will bring learners together in real time for discussion and practical application, creating space for fresh thinking and connection across the ACIAR Learn community. 

Valuable learning

Lead partner The University of Queensland (UQ) designs, manages and facilitates delivery of content designed by academics from leading Australian institutions including the Australian National University, Central Queensland University, the University of New England, and UQ. 

The platform's content is intentionally designed with action learning principles and practical examples to support researchers to strengthen their skills and apply them in real time. 

In 2025, ACIAR commissioned an evaluation of ACIAR Learn, which confirmed a 97% user satisfaction rate for courses, with 91% reporting direct relevance to their research and 81% reporting research benefits from discussion groups.

Evaluation showcases ACIAR Learn success stories

The evaluation also highlighted a number of ACIAR Learn success stories. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), Ms Josephina Laka has been recognised as an ACIAR Learn champion, completing 15 courses.

Ms Laka was part of the research team for an ACIAR-supported project to develop alternative small-scale fishery models in the Fly River in PNG’s Western Province.

She has used the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion in Research course to help design and implement projects in her work with the Ok Tedi Development Foundation and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in PNG. 

Ms Laka shared that the Mentoring Skills and Value-Based Leadership courses have enhanced her leadership abilities, which have supported her to mentor young people and act as a role model for women in agriculture.

The program has been instrumental in shaping my career, and I am proud to be part of such an empowering initiative.

Ms Josephine Laka

She also highlighted the networks she has gained through her participation in ACIAR Learn as one of the most beneficial outcomes. This has helped her to strengthen relationships with colleagues, share knowledge and engage in experiences that enhance collaboration.

Two adults and a child standing beside a small fish pond in a rural community.
Ms Josephine Laka (right) with a local trout farmer and his child at Mount Giluwe in Papua New Guinea’s Southern Highlands Province. Ms Laka, an ACIAR Learn champion who has completed 15 courses, has applied skills from the program to strengthen gender equity, leadership and community engagement in fisheries research and development.


 

Science communication

Ms Loren Banayag reported that ACIAR Learn has strengthened her academic writing and communication skills. She has also developed a greater awareness of research best practices, including structured sampling techniques and data collection. She has completed 8 ACIAR Learn courses.

Ms Banayag is a researcher at the University of Southeastern Philippines and is working on the ACIAR-supported project ‘An integrated management response to the spread of Fusarium wilt of banana in Southeast Asia'.

The program has increased my confidence in my ability to communicate research, which has helped me teach younger researchers, clarify complicated ideas and work with others more successfully.

Ms Loren Banayag

ACIAR Learn’s content on ethics has also helped Ms Banayag extend her studies with a greater awareness of community values and ethical standards. She said ACIAR Learn has strengthened her confidence in undertaking research and made her more aware of the value her contributions make to projects. This has helped her become more proactive, considerate and dedicated to delivering competent research.

Ms Banayag added that interactive elements, including live sessions and guidance from experienced course convenors, set ACIAR Learn apart from other e-learning options.

Laboratory worker handling petri dishes and equipment at a lab bench.
Ms Loren Banayag works on banana disease research. She has participated in 8 ACIAR Learn courses and said the program has strengthened her scientific writing, research practice and confidence in communicating complex ideas.

Stakeholder engagement

Dr Rehan Riaz has completed 14 ACIAR Learn courses, using them to strengthen concepts, approaches and methodologies of interdisciplinary research.

Dr Riaz is a researcher at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. He found the skills he has acquired through ACIAR Learn have helped him improve relationships with different stakeholders, including his team and policymakers.

He has learned how to engage more effectively with his project teams, including researchers, field staff and community members, and to develop their capacity to meet project goals.

Dr Riaz has also improved the way he shares feedback on project interventions and communicates successful project outcomes, including through the preparation of journal articles.

He said a key benefit for him was the interactive peer-to-peer learning delivered through live sessions, discussion boards, and a buddy system that allowed him to learn from other participants. 

ACIAR Learn allowed me to share experiences with other participants from the other countries, as well as the Australian mentors in similar jobs within different contexts.

Dr Rehan Riaz

Group of people inspecting seedling trays inside a greenhouse nursery.
Dr Rehan Riaz (far left) has completed 14 ACIAR Learn courses, applying the skills gained to improve stakeholder engagement and team-based research practice.

 

Find out more: ACIAR Learn 

 

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Piloting the course for ACIAR Learn

The pilot of a new mobile-first online learning program has completed paving the way for its delivery to agricultural researchers in ACIAR partner countries. ACIAR Learn will advance the professional development of ACIAR-supported researchers and alumni from around the world, maximising their capacity to support agricultural development and improve food security in their home countries. ‘The completion of the ACIAR Learn pilot marks an important milestone,’ said Mr Geoffrey O’Keefe, ACIAR Capacity Building Manager.