Each week, the WA Scientist Spotlight series showcases one of Western Australia’s leading minds in agricultural science, exploring their personal journey, current work, and insights into the industry’s future.
This week, we’re proud to feature Professor Sarita Bennett, Discipline Lead for Agriculture and Food at Curtin University’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences.
With a career spanning continents and cropping systems, Prof Bennett’s story is one of resilience, scientific curiosity, and a deep commitment to connecting agricultural research with practical, on-the-ground impact.
A determined start in science
For Prof Bennett, the road to agricultural science wasn’t always paved with encouragement.
“I started by completing a double degree in Biological Science and Geography at the University of Birmingham in the UK,” she said.
“That was after being told that ‘girls don’t do agriculture’.”
That outdated piece of advice clearly didn’t deter her.
Instead, it lit a fire.
Her academic journey continued with a PhD focusing on the ecogeography of ryegrass in Europe.
While ryegrass might be more commonly associated with weed problems today, Prof Bennett’s work viewed it through a different lens, studying it as an important pasture plant rather than a weed.
“This included a mix of taxonomy across the different species, field trials and now very outdated molecular work,” she said.
Her early research opened the door to a post-doctoral position at the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA) at The University of Western Australia (UWA).
There, she explored the ecology of Mediterranean pasture and pulse species, which included some fascinating plant collection trips to Turkey, Syria, and Italy.
It was an early indication of how international her research career would become.
A career rooted in collaboration
From her beginnings in the UK to her current leadership role in Western Australia, Prof Bennett’s path has been shaped by a series of opportunities that reflect both her expertise and her adaptability.
She undertook a range of post-doctoral roles at UWA through CLIMA and later within the Dryland Salinity and Future Farm Industries Cooperative Research Centres.
These positions were often funded through Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) grants and included a stint as a part-time policy officer – an experience that gave her valuable insights into the intersection of science and decision-making.
She followed her husband back to the UK, where she was able to secure a research agronomist position, working on flax and hemp at The University of Wales Bangor.
“After my husband decided he couldn’t cope with the cold, dark and wet winters in North Wales we moved back to Perth,” Prof Bennett said.
Her return to Australia marked the beginning of her deepening commitment to agricultural teaching and leadership.
She joined UWA as the Pasture Leader for the Sustainable Grains for Saline Land Coordinator, and later moved to Curtin University in 2010, initially based at the Muresk campus.
Since 2013, Prof Bennett has been based at Curtin’s Bentley campus, where she continues to balance research and teaching, while also leading Curtin’s agriculture and food teaching team.
A leader in the classroom and the field
Today, Prof Bennett’s role is as multifaceted as the sector she serves, and as Discipline Lead, she oversees a teaching team of 16.
“It includes a significant proportion of mentorship, as well as ensuring our teaching standards meet both university and industry requirements,” she said.
She teaches across three major units – pasture management and science, advanced cropping systems, and digital and innovative agricultural solutions – integrating research and industry knowledge into the classroom.
“I love working with growers and agribusiness providers on issues relevant to them,” Prof Bennett said.
“There’s nothing more satisfying than talking to growers who are excited about what you’re working on.”
That industry connection doesn’t stop at research, with industry engagement within teaching also incredibly fulfilling for Prof Bennett.
“It creates opportunities for students to engage with real-world problems, find work experience or summer employment, and often, future jobs,” she said.
Tackling Sclerotinia – a global challenge
Prof Bennett’s current research focuses on one of agriculture’s most persistent challenges, Sclerotinia stem rot, a disease that affects more than 500 agricultural crops globally, including canola and pulses.
“There’s no resistance in any of our cultivars worldwide, so it’s a major issue, both locally and globally,” she said.
Her work began in earnest with the formation of the Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM) at Curtin University, and has since grown into a broad research program.
Her team is investigating resistance in wild lupins, the impact of co-infection with blackleg in canola, and strategies to increase soil suppressiveness as a means of boosting plant resistance.
“We’re looking at both the ecology and the management of the disease,” Prof Bennett said.
“It’s about understanding the complexity of the pathogen and the system.”
Partnerships have been central to her work, with her team collaborating across Australia and internationally.
They’re also working closely with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and breeding companies to ensure Western Australian research stays relevant to growers.
Embracing innovation and digital tools
Beyond plant disease, Prof Bennett is also exploring how digital technologies can be used to improve productivity in crop and pasture systems.
This aligns with a growing trend in agriculture, where data and automation are increasingly being used to optimise decision-making and efficiency.
It’s a space she believes holds huge potential — particularly for WA’s grain and livestock industries.
With a career that spans research, policy, teaching, and leadership, Prof Bennett has no shortage of advice for the next generation.
“Do what you are interested in or love, and the jobs will appear from that,” she said.
“Get involved in field days, work experience, networking – and jump at any opportunity. Don’t be scared to try something new.”
Prof Sarita Bennett is a shining example of what the WA Scientist Spotlight seeks to celebrate – individuals who are not only advancing agricultural science, but who are also inspiring the next generation to dig deeper, think broader, and contribute meaningfully to one of the world’s most vital industries.
Her journey is proof that curiosity and persistence can take you far – even when early messages try to point you in a different direction.
Through the WA Agricultural Scientist Spotlight series, WAARC celebrates the contributions of researchers like Professor Sarita Bennett, whose work exemplifies the dedication and innovation needed to advance agricultural science in Western Australia.
By sharing their stories, the series aims to inspire a new generation to pursue careers in this vital field, ensuring the State remains at the forefront of agricultural research and sustainability.
