Gillian Richards has joined the Rural Development team to work on various projects including the Demonstration and Investigation into Livestock Systems Adoption and Food Processing and Innovation projects.

Gillian has a rural background, and was raised and educated in the UK; she has a BSc and PhD in Materials Science and Engineering. Gillian brings research and quantitative analysis skills which were gained in three different university and industrial research positions with Rolls Royce Ltd, Metal Box Ltd and the Physics & Astronomy department at Brandon University.  In recent years she has refined her organization and administration skills as an assistant with Mini University, an educational summer camp for children operated out of Brandon University. In this position she developed good working relationships with many partnering Aboriginal communities and granting agencies. Gillian also has lifelong interests in technology, sports, the natural world and sustainability.