
Professor Wendy Umberger
Executive Director CGFAR
School of Economics and Public Policy
Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Professor Wendy Umberger is the Executive Director of the Centre for Global Food & Resources at the University of Adelaide. The program was officially launched in 2013 and focuses on economic issues affecting global food and agricultural value chains.
Wendy is currently leading components of interdisciplinary value chain research projects in Asia, Australia, North America, the Pacific Islands and South Africa exploring opportunities for agricultural smallholder households in producing high value (horticulture, dairy, beef) food products and adopting new technology to gain access to modern food value chains. Part of this work includes estimating consumer demand for specific credence (quality, safety and health) attributes in food and determining efficient governance systems to verify related attributes. She is also studying the impact of urbanization, modern retail transformation and development programs on food consumption patterns, diet quality and longer-run health and livelihood implications in Indonesia and Fiji.
Wendy’s research uses innovative methods to understand drivers of consumer and producer behaviour and the implications of changing behaviour for global food systems. This includes research to understand how individual and household characteristics such as demographics, socio-economics, attitudes, values and knowledge, affect future food demand and supply shifts, diet transformation and related health changes, and drive adoption and uptake of technology, both at the food production and consumption stages. This information is particularly helpful for translation of research and design of more efficient food policy programs.
Professor Umberger has published extensively and has been invited to present her work internationally to a variety of audiences including industry, government and academic. Wendy received her B.S. in Animal Science (1996) and M.S. in Economics (1998) from South Dakota State University and her PhD in Agricultural Economics (2001) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Prior to joining the University of Adelaide in 2006, Wendy was an Assistant and Associate Professor from 2001-2007 in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at Colorado State University in the USA. She was raised on a beef cattle farm, which is still owned and operated by her family in South Dakota USA.
Current Research Focus and Interests
- Consumer behaviour related to food purchases, nutrition and health
- Food security, including economics of food safety
- Diet and nutrition transition in less developed and developing countries
- Producer behaviour and drivers of technology adoption
- Food policy
- Translation of research for policy and industry
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2016 - ongoing Executive Director and Professor, June 2016 to present University of Adelaide 2016 - ongoing Professor University of Adelaide 2013 - 2016 Director and Professor Global Food Studies University of Adelaide 2012 - 2015 Associate Professor University of Adelaide 2009 - 2011 Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide 2006 - 2008 Lecturer University of Adelaide 2006 - 2007 Associate Professor Colorado State University 2001 - 2006 Assistant Professor Colorado State University -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2006 - 2008 South Dakota State University United States Master of Science in Economics (MSc) 1998 - 2015 University of Nebraska–Lincoln United States PHD 1992 - 1996 South Dakota State University United States Bachelors of Science in Animal Science (BSc) -
Postgraduate Training
Date Title Institution Country 1998 - 2001 Doctor of Philosophy University of Nebraska–Lincoln United States -
Research Interests
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Journals
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Books
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Book Chapters
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Conference Papers
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Conference Items
Year Citation 2020 Akzar, R., Umberger, W., & Peralta, A. (2020). The synergistic effects of multiple dairy feed technologies on Indonesian smallholder dairy farmers. Poster session presented at the meeting of : Australasian Agricultural and Resources Economics Society 64th Annual Conference. Perth. 2019 Akzar, R., Umberger, W., & Peralta, A. (2019). Adoption of multiple dairy farming technologies by Indonesian smallholder dairy farmers: A latent class analysis approach. Poster session presented at the meeting of The 63rd AARES Annual Conference. Melbourne, Australia. 2018 Nguyen, A. D., Umberger, W., & Zeng, D. (2018). Concerns and valuation of food quality and food safety in urban Vietnam. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australasian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society 62nd Annual Conference. 2018 Akzar, R., Peralta, A., Umberger, W., & Hetherington, J. (2018). Simultaneous Decisions of Indonesian Smallholder Dairy Farmers Adoption of Multiple on Farm-level Innovations. Poster session presented at the meeting of The 62th AARES Annual Conference. Adelaide Australia. 2018 Genova, C., Umberger., Newman., Peralta., & Zeng. (2018). The impact of smallholder vegetable production on child nutrition in rural Vietnam. Poster session presented at the meeting of 2018 Annual Australasian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society (AARES) Conference. Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, SA. 2018 Yargop, R. L., Akzar, R., & Umberger, W. (2018). A study on Smallholder Inclusive Agrifood Value Chains in South East Asia. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australasian Agriculture and Resource Economics Society Annual Conference. Adelaide, Australia. 2018 Peralta, A., Umberger, W., & Christian, G. (2018). Spousal agreement and women participation in decision making in rural Vietnam. Poster session presented at the meeting of Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA) 2018 Annual Meeting, August 5-7, 2018, Washington, D.C.. 2018 Peralta, A., Umberger, W., & Azkar, R. (2018). Spousal agreement, women participation in decisions, and technology adoption in Indonesia.. Poster session presented at the meeting of 2018 AARES Conference. 2018 Maligalig, R. L., Umberger, W., Demont, M., & Peralta, A. (2018). Farmer preferences for rice varietal trait improvements in Nueva Ecija, Philippines: A latent class cluster approach. Poster session presented at the meeting of International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE) Triennial Conference. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 2018 Maligalig, R. L., Demont, M., Umberger, W., & Peralta, A. (2018). Using Experiments to Understand Gender Influence on Intrahousehold Decision Making for Investment in Rice Varietal Trait Improvements. Poster session presented at the meeting of 2018 International Rice Congress. Singapore. 2017 Nguyen, A. D., Umberger, W. J., Zeng, D., & Dumbrell, N. P. (2017). Concerns and valuation of food quality and food safety in urban Vietnam. Poster session presented at the meeting of North-West Vietnam Research Symposium: Mountains of Opportunity. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. 2017 Maligalig, R. L., Demont, M., Umberger, W. J., & Peralta, A. (2017). Intrahousehold decision making on rice varietal trait improvements: Using experiments to estimate gender influence. Poster session presented at the meeting of 2017 Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) Annual Meeting. Chicago, Illinois. 2017 Dumbrell, N., Umberger, W., Zeng, D., Nguyen, A., & Pagliuca, L. (2017). The role of market research in agricultural development for northwest Vietnam: The case of fruit and vegetables. Poster session presented at the meeting of North-West Vietnam Research Symposium: Mountains of Opportunity. Hanoi, Vietnam: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. 2017 Genova, C., Umberger., Newman., & Peralta. (2017). To Market, to market: Does smallholder vegetable production lead to increased children's dietary diversity and improved diet quality? Empirical evidence from Northwest Vietnam. Poster session presented at the meeting of 62nd Agricultural and Applied Economics Association Annual Meeting. Chicago, Illinois. 2017 Rupa, J., Ahmed, S., Umberger, W., Zeng, D., & Sim, N. (2017). Analysing the association between rural farm household health and economic shocks and food security in Bangladesh: a consolidated approach of measuring food security. Poster session presented at the meeting of PowerPoint presentation at 61st Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society's Annual Conference. Brisbane, Qld.. 2017 Yargop, R., Malek, L., Nelle, S., & Umberger, W. (2017). A study of drivers for industry growth and innovation in the South Australian food and agribusiness sector. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society. Corner Merivale And Glenelg Streets, South Bank, Brisbane, Queensland. 2017 Genova, C., Umberger, W., Newman, S., & Peralta, A. (2017). Linking smallholder vegetable production to children’s diets: evidence from rural Vietnam. Poster session presented at the meeting of Presentation at the 2017 AARES Annual Conference. Brisbane, Qld.. 2016 Genova, C., Umberger, W., Newman, S., & Peralta, A. (2016). Food choices of the Môngs in the northwest uplands of Vietnam. Poster session presented at the meeting of Presentation at the XXIII Agri-food Research Network (AFRN) conference. Adelaide. SA.. 2016 Akzar, R., Permani, R., Wahida., & Umberger, W. (2016). Understanding Indonesian Smallholder Dairy Farmers’ Decisions to Adopt Multiple Farm-Level Innovations. Poster session presented at the meeting of The 60th AARES Annual Conference. Canberra , Australia. 2016 Akzar, R., Permani, R., Wahida., & Umberger, W. (2016). Understanding Indonesian Smallholder Dairy Farmers’ Decisions to Adopt Multiple Farm-Level Innovations. Poster session presented at the meeting of The 15th International Convention of the East Asian Economic Association. Bandung, Indonesia. 2016 Ahmed, S., dodd., umberger., & deussen. (2016). Influence of Socio-economic location, diet and physical activity among overweight/obese pregnant mothers. Poster session presented at the meeting of AGRIFOOD XXIII Conference. Adelaide, SA. 2016 Rupa, J., Ahmed, S., Umberger, W., & Zeng, D. (2016). Analysing the association between rural farm household health and economic shocks and food security in Bangladesh: a consolidated approach of measuring food security. Poster session presented at the meeting of XXIII Agri-food Research Network (AFRN) conference. Adelaide, SA. 2014 Dodd, J., Ahmed, S., Karnon., Umberger, W. J., Deussen, A., & LIMIT trial group. (2014). The economic costs and consequences of providing antenatal lifestyle advice for women who are overweight or obese: The LIMIT randomised trial. Poster session presented at the meeting of 36th Annual Australian Health Economics Society (AHES) Conference. Adelaide, SA: International Health Economics Association. 2014 Ahmed, S., makrides., & umberger. (2014). Economic Analyses of DOMInO. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Annual Scientific Meeting. 2014 Malek, L., Zhou, S. J., Makrides, M., Flynn, T., & Umberger, W. (2014). A discrete choice experiment to understand factors influencing women’s dietary decisions during pregnancy. Poster session presented at the meeting of Social Networks, Social Media and the Economics of Food. Montreal, Canada. 2014 Malek, L., Zhou, S. J., Makrides, M., & Umberger, W. (2014). A novel study to understand psychosocial factors influencing healthy eating intention during pregnancy. Poster session presented at the meeting of Social Networks, Social Media and the Economics of Food. Montreal, Canada. 2014 Oral Abstracts (2014). Poster session presented at the meeting of Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. Wiley.
2013 Malek, L., Zhou, S. J., Makrides, M., Flynn, T., & Umberger, W. (2013). Understanding consumer preferences for nutritional supplements during pregnancy: A choice experiment study. Poster session presented at the meeting of 9th World Congress of the International Health Economics Association (iHEA). Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 2005 Umberger, W., Thilmany, D., & Ziehl, A. (2005). Does altruism play a role in determining U.S. consumer preferences and willingness to pay for natural and regionally produced beef?. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abstracts of the Western Agricultural Economics Association Annual Meeting (WAEA 2005), as published in Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics. USA: Western Agricultural Economics Association.
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Report for External Bodies
Year Citation 2019 Zuo, Z., Wheeler, S., Tang, W., & Umberger, W. (2019). Understanding parallel trade of Australian products to China. 2013 Umberger, W. J., Minot, N., Stringer, R., Reardon, T., & Wahida. (2013). Markets for high-value commodities in Indonesia: Promoting competitiveness and inclusiveness (ADP/2005/006). Canberra ACT: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. 2013 Findlay, C., Umberger, W., Bardsley, D., Tan, Y., & Watson, A. (2013). Asian Food in Transition: Priority Research for Food Security and Sustainable Futures in Australia, China and the Asia-Pacific Region.. Adelaide: The University of Adelaide. -
Theses
Year Citation 2015 Malek, L. (2015). Exploring the nutrition knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women in Australia. (PhD Thesis, The University of Adelaide). -
Working Paper
Year Citation 2017 Ahmed, S., dodd., & umberger. (2017). Influence of Socio-economic location- and factors on diet and physical activity among overweight/obese pregnant mothers. 2016 Rupa, J. A., Ahmed, S., Umberger, W., Zeng, D., & Sim, N. (2016). Analysing the association between rural farm household health and economic shocks and food security in Bangladesh: a consolidated approach of measuring food security.
Research Funding
FUNDED PROJECTS AS PI, CO-PI OR COLLABORATOR (Since 2007 only)
- (2013-2016). “Getting to the meat of the matter: social and economic issues in animal welfare in Australia’s livestock industry” W.J. Umberger & R. Ankeney, $287,607 LP130100419 Australian Research Council Linkage Grant (ARC-Linkage).
- (2013-2015) “Grass-fed markets and value chains for small-scale and emerging beef cattle farmers in South Africa” G. Griffith, R. Cooksey, N. Nengovhela, D. Baker, J. Mamabolo and W.J. Umberger, W.J. $1.15 million LPS/205/128 Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
- (2011-2015) “Foods for Future Australians” NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence, Makrides M, Gibson RA, Ryan P, Zhou SJ, Dodd J, McPhee AJ, Umberger WJ, Muhlhausler B, Collins CT, Penttila I., $2.15 million APP1035530 National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
- (2010-2013). “Pacific Agribusiness Research for Development Initiative (PARDI)” W.J. Umberger, & Stringer, R. $2.1 million PC/2008/044 Australian Centre for Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
- (2009-2012) “Economic Evaluation of the Seafood CRC.” W.J. Umberger, & Stringer, R.. Seafood CRC Project Number LS009, $300,000.
- (2010-2011) “Consumer and Market Demand Research Network: A Look Behind the Curtain of Best Practice Value Chain Development: The Example of Meat Standards Australia.” Agricultural and Agri-food Canada. Co-PI. PI: S. Anders. $12,680,
- (2009). “Beef Consumer Segmentation Research To Build Supply Chain Capability.” $47,500 from Meat and Livestock Australia, Innovation Partners Program (competitive) 09MLA_P.PSH.0427.
- (2009-2010) “International Beef Value Chain Research Network.” Alberta Livestock Industry Development Fund. Co-PI with PI: S. Anders. $15,000.
- (2008-2010) “Markets for high-value commodities in Indonesia: Promoting competitiveness and inclusiveness.” R. Stringer, N. Minot, T. Reardon and W.J. Umberger Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) project ADP/2005/066. $1.543 million.
- (2008-2009). “Examination of Consumers Perceptions of Various Wine Product and Health Related Labelling Policies.” $20,000 from the Winemakers Federation of Australia (project to begin in April 2008). Also $10,000 from University of Adelaide Faculty of Sciences Strategic Initiative Funds (competitive),
- (2007- 2008). “Determining Retailer and Wholesaler Demand and Market Potential for Regionally-Grown Beef in South Australia.” $9967.50 from Primary Industries and Resources South Australia.
- (2007-2010) Linking vegetable farmers with markets in West and Central Java, Indonesia.” Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). International Potato Centre is the Principal Investigator. Collaborating Researcher. Funded February 2008.
- (2008) “Sustainable Value Chain Analysis – A Case Study of South Australian Wine” Collaborating researcher, $450,000 from Primary Industry and Resources South Australia. (UA share was $10,000).
- (2007-2009) “Promoting diverse fuelwood production systems in PNG.” Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). Principal Investigator: Ian Nuberg. Collaborating Researcher. February 2008.
- (2006-2007) “Assessing the Impact of The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) On Beef, Pork And Lamb Harvesting And Rendering Facilities In The US.”, Colorado Dept. Ag., USDA-APHIS. PI: G.C. Smith. Co-PIs: J.D. Tatum, J.A. Scanga, K.E. Belk, J.N. Sofos, W.J. Umberger, T.G. Field, W.R. Wailes, and S.B. LeValley. Grant Amount: $394,426. Funded October, 2006.
- (2005-2007), “Market Analysis of Forage Finished Beef In the Southeast.” Funded by the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP). Principal Investigators: R.C. Lacy and W.J. Umberger. $76,273.00. July 2005.
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Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2021 Principal Supervisor The role and application of decision support tools (DSTs) in food loss waste (FLW) decision making within Australian food systems. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jack Benjamin Hetherington 2020 Principal Supervisor Understanding drivers of consumer food purchasing behaviour in Laos Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Chitpasong Kousonsavath 2020 Co-Supervisor Essays in Wine Economics Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr German Puga 2019 Principal Supervisor Investigating Food Loss and Waste Reduction in the Food Supply Chain in Asia-Pacific Region Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Trang Thi Thu Nguyen -
Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2017 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Adoption of Multiple Dairy Farming Technologies – Issues and Opportunities for Smallholder Dairy Farmers in West Java, Indonesia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Rida Akzar 2017 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Exploring Relationships between Changing Food Environments, Food Consumption Behaviour, Attitudes and Nutrition Outcomes for Urban Vietnam Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Anh Duc Nguyen 2017 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Consumer perceptions and intentions towards sustainable meat consumption and lab-grown meat in Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Livia Garcez de Oliveira Padilha 2015 - 2019 Principal Supervisor Analysing the Drivers of Dietary Diversity, Diet Quality and Household Food Security in Developing Asia: Evidence from Urban Vietnam and Rural Bangladesh Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Jesmin Ara Rupa 2014 - 2019 Principal Supervisor The Effect of Smallholder Vegetable Production on Children's Dietary Quality and Nutritional Outcomes: Evidence from Vietnam Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Christian ll Genova 2014 - 2018 Principal Supervisor Eliciting Farmer Preferences for Rice Varietal Trait Improvements Using an Experimental Methodology Based on Investment Games Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Rio Lawas Maligalig 2013 - 2015 Principal Supervisor A Study of the Relationship between Modern Food Retail Penetration and Urban Indonesian Consumers’ Food Shopping Behaviour, Consumption and Dietary Patterns Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Hery Toiba 2013 - 2017 Principal Supervisor The Potential for Innovative Farm Business Structures in the Australian Grains Sector Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Brendan Charles Clarkin Lynch 2013 - 2019 Principal Supervisor Food System Transformation in Fiji: Exploring the Determinants of Diet Quality and Health Outcomes in Rural and Urban Households Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Anna Vicki Finizio 2013 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Adoption of High Value Horticultural Crops in Indonesia: Determinants and Impacts Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr . Suprehatin 2013 - 2015 Principal Supervisor The Impact of Customary Inter-Household Transfers on Labour-led Cash Crop Intensification among the Smallholder Farmers of Malekular Island, Vanuatu Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Tim Martyn 2013 - 2015 Principal Supervisor Food System Transformation in Indonesia: Factors Influencing Demand and Supply for Alternative Pest Management Farming Systems Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs . Wahida 2013 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Essays on the Economic Impacts of Climate Change on Agriculture and Adaptation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Kaixing Huang 2011 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Exploring the nutrition knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women in Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Lenka Malek 2008 - 2012 Co-Supervisor Buyer and Seller Relationships in Malaysia's Dairy Industry Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Bonaventure Boniface 2008 - 2013 Co-Supervisor Contracts and Marketing Decisions of Indonesian Potato Growers Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Eka Puspitawati 2008 - 2012 Co-Supervisor The Transformation of Modern Food Retailers in Indonesia: Opportunities and Challenges for Smallholder Farmers Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs . Sahara
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Board Memberships
Date Role Board name Institution name Country 2017 - ongoing Director Board of Directors Grain Producers South Australia Australia 2015 - ongoing Director Governance Board International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics India -
Offices Held
Date Office Name Institution Country 2017 - 2018 Immediate Past President Australasian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society Australia 2016 - ongoing President Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society (AARES) Australia
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