Waite Research Institute
LOCATION: Agriculture, Food & Wine Building, Hartley Grove, Waite Campus, Urrbrae
Who We Are
The Waite Research Institute (WRI) stimulates and supports research and innovation across the University of Adelaide and its partners that builds capacity for Australia’s agriculture, food and wine sectors.
Named after Peter Waite , the Waite Research Institute is internationally recognised for it’s world-class research, development, teaching and commercialisation activities in Agriculture.
Our fundamental and applied research based at The University of Adelaide’s North Terrace, Roseworthy and Waite campuses underpins innovation in Australia’s agricultural industries.
The Waite Research Institute (WRI) was established in 2009/10 to facilitate further development of the world-class capability and technologies at the Waite precinct. The WRI keeps alive the vision of Peter Waite in leading and providing support for collaborative initiatives that bring about step changes in Australian agricultural science and practice.
The WRI’s broad vision is to drive the innovation to secure a sustainable future for Agriculture—by creating high-quality, nutritious and climate-resilient products. We do this not in isolation, but in close partnership with the agriculture, food and wine sectors.
To achieve our goals, we invest in outstanding researchers across multiple scientific disciplines; and we provide them with advanced facilities to support both new strategic initiatives and established strengths.
Supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure and the unique collective strength of the co-located partners, our research is trans-disciplinary and collaborative in nature with national and international connections to major industry sectors, government and other high-quality research organisations.
Our Goals
- Research with impact in sustainable intensification of agriculture in a changing climate
- Building large-scale initiatives across disciplines
- Enhancing excellence through researcher development
- Connecting researchers with industry through the AFW IEP
Bringing together research and ideas from across the Waite campus and beyond.
Professor Matt Tucker
Director
T. +61 8 8313 9241
E. matthew.tucker@adelaide.edu.au
Professor Jenny Mortimer
Deputy Director
T. +61 8 8313 3615
E. jenny.mortimer@adelaide.edu.au
Dr Vicki Mavrakis
Institute Manager
T. +61 8 8313 4251
E. vicki.mavrakis@adelaide.edu.au
Dr Helen Collins
Executive Officer
T. +61 8 8313 4251
E. helen.collins@adelaide.edu.au
Partner Details
- Waite Research Institute
- T. 08 8313 6650
- E. wri@adelaide.edu.au
- P: PMB 1, Glen Osmond SA 5064
- A. Agriculture, Food and Wine Building, Hartley Grove, Urrbrae – View on google map
- Visit Official Website
RELATED NEWS & EVENTS
WRI Seminar Series – Upcoming speakers
Bringing together research and ideas from across the Waite campus and beyond, our seminar series features leading researchers, industry experts and visiting speakers exploring a wide range of topics. Check out our upcoming speakers and mark your calendars to join us for these engaging talks.
Congratulations to Dr Shervin Kabiri, SA Young Tall Poppy Science Award recipient
Congratulations to Dr Shervin Kabiri on being named a 2026 South Australian Young Tall Poppy by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science (AIPS).
WRI Seminar Series: Professor Zhong-Hua Chen, SAFW, Adelaide University
Join us for an engaging presentation from Professor Zhong-Hua Chen. He will be presenting a talk tit...
Aug 6, 10:00 am - 11:00 amWRI Seminar Series: Prof Jenny Mortimer, Deputy Director of the WRI; SAFW, Adelaide University
Join us for an exciting seminar by Professor Jenny Mortimer, Deputy Director of the Waite Research I...
Aug 20, 10:00 am - 11:00 amAPBA Networking Event: Cultivating Connections in Plant Breeding
The Australian Plant Breeding Academy (APBA) would like to invite you to their upcoming networking e...
Aug 27, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pmWRI Seminar Series: Professor Kerry Wilkinson, SAFW, Adelaide University
Professor Kerry Wilkinson is an engaging wine educator and a world-renowned wine scientist. As an AR...
Sep 3, 10:00 am - 11:00 amWRI Seminar Series: Dr David G. Schmale III, Fulbright AUKUS Scholar; Professor and Director, Translational Plant Sciences Center Virginia Tech University
David Schmale III is the first Scholar to visit Australia through the new Fulbright AUKUS Scholarshi...
Sep 24, 10:00 am - 11:00 am


