Issues in Contemporary Agriculture:
Economics and Innovation

New Chair in Agri-Food Innovation and Regulation as UWO

(Richard Ivey School of Business Press Release, March 31, 2009)  Last spring, Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced a federal contribution of over $2 million to Ivey through the Agricultural Adaptation Council to create a research capability through a well-resourced Faculty Chair of Agri-Food Innovation and Regulation. It is now confirmed that Professor David Sparling will join the Richard Ivey School of Business in this new role, effective August 1, 2009.

The regulatory issues facing the agri-foods, agriculture, and biotechnology industries are nested in larger business issues and have far reaching impact. Like other projects currently underway through the Lawrence Centre for Policy and Management and our Centre for Building Sustainable Value, this new Chair will provide new opportunities for Ivey faculty and students to engage in an industry critical to Canada's economic viability. The Chair will be linked to both the Building Sustainable Value Centre and the Lawrence Centre, as well as create many partnership opportunities with Western's Faculties of Engineering and Science, and the Department of Geography among others.

As Chair, David Sparling will lead a team of researchers to examine issues related to innovation and regulation in the agri-food industry. Through cutting-edge, evidence-based research, we will inform and proactively influence the process of regulatory renewal and will assist in developing policies and strategies to support innovation across the industry.

Currently, Professor Sparling is Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the College of Management and Economics at the University of Guelph, Canada. He has been on faculty at the University of Guelph since 1996. In 2006 and 2007, he was seconded as the Executive Director of the Institute for Agri-Food Policy Innovation. Professor Sparling brings a wealth of case teaching, writing and academic research experience as well as extensive business experience. He has been president of a farming company, a biotechnology start-up and an agri-business insurance company. He is a Senior Associate at the University of Melbourne and has taught at the Australian Graduate School of Management in Sydney and in the Schools of Business at McMaster and Wilfrid Laurier Universities. His research interests are in the areas of agri-food policy, value chains, innovation and commercializing new technologies. Professor Sparling will be a member of the Operations Group, and teach in the HBA Program next year.

Canada's competitiveness depends on fostering and supporting innovation in every industry. Regulatory renewal is an essential element in creating a supportive environment for the agri-food industry. The Chair in Agri-Food Innovation and Regulation will bring Ivey's expertise in innovation, sustainability, leadership and managing global supply chains to bear to support the industry as it is transformed to meet these new opportunities and challenges.