Professor Robyn Alders AO is a veterinarian and an Honorary Professor with the ANU Development Policy Centre, ANU Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions, Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences at the Royal Veterinary College in London and Veterinary Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Tufts University, Boston. She is also a Senior Consulting Fellow with the Chatham House Global Health Programme. Professor Alders is a Commissioner with the Lancet–PPATS Commission on Prevention of Viral Spillover: reducing the risk of pandemics through primary prevention. For over 30 years, she has worked closely with smallholder farmers and producers in sub-Saharan Africa, South and SE Asia and Oceania as a veterinarian, researcher and colleague, with an emphasis on the development of sustainable infectious disease control in animals in resource-limited areas in support of food and nutrition security, income generation, wildlife conservation and public health. Her current research and development interests include food and nutrition security, One Health, gender equity and Science Communication.
In May 2002, Professor Alders was the recipient of the Kesteven Medal, awarded by the Australian Veterinary Association and the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in recognition of distinguished contributions to international veterinary science in the field of technical and scientific assistance to developing countries. In January 2011, she was invested as an Officer of the Order of Australia by the Governor General of Australia for distinguished service to veterinary science as a researcher and educator, to the maintenance of food security in developing countries through livestock management and disease control programs. In February 2017, she was the recipient of the Inaugural Mitchell Global Humanitarian Award which recognises Australians and others supported by Australian aid who have made an outstanding contribution to the cause of international development.