The Australian Agricultural Economics Profession: An Appraisal of Current Trends

Using the results of the first part of their 1994 AAES membership survey, Ahmadi-Esfahani and Brake (1995) examined the structure, conduct, and performance of the society qualitatively. This paper extends that analysis by appraising the current trends in the Australian agricultural economics profession quantitatively. While still utilizing some anecdotal evidence, the paper concentrates on the second part of the survey to address a number of more fundamental questions. These include constraints impinging upon alternative research philosophies and methodologies, environments required for the creation of useful knowledge and mechanisms necessary for fostering innovative thinking and scientific debate. Comparison of current trends in the Australian and American agricultural economics professions is made. The implications of the analysis for the product mix of the Society (eg. publications) and the balance between inputs and outputs of the profession are explored