Growing extension capability
Build the skills, confidence, and community to lift adoption and impact across RD&E. Our year-long, cross-industry program gives us a structured pathway to grow capability, apply tools in real projects, and learn with peers who do similar work in different industries and regions.
Is this program for you?
- Do you want a consistent, evidence-based way to design, deliver, and evaluate change efforts across your projects?
- Do you lead or support RD&E and need practical methods that translate your research into real on-farm results?
- Do you value learning alongside a peer cohort and expert facilitators over a sustained period?
Why join?
- Turn good practice into standard practice through regular workshops, webinars, and coaching.
- Apply tools immediately and get feedback so learning sticks.
- Gain confidence explaining your project’s adoption pathway and demonstrating impact to funders and stakeholders.
- Connect with a cross-industry network and share what works.
What you’ll experience
- Regular small-group coaching for reflection and application.
- Four half-day online workshops focused on priority capability topics.
- Four targeted 90-minute webinars in alternate months.
- A two-day, face-to-face annual event to consolidate learning and expand networks.
- A supported Community of Practice with curated resources and discussions.
What you'll achieve
Through this year-long, highly interactive program, you’ll explore topics such as:
- Stronger capability to design, deliver, and evaluate effective extension.
- Clearer, more defensible plans that align activities to outcomes and impact.
- Practical artefacts for your projects, such as stakeholder maps, Theories of Change, activity sequences, and monitoring plans.
- A trusted peer network across industries, regions, and sectors.
What you’ll experience
- Regular small-group coaching for reflection and application.
- Four half-day online workshops focused on priority capability topics.
- Four targeted 90-minute webinars in alternate months.
- A two-day, face-to-face annual event to consolidate learning and expand networks.
- A supported Community of Practice with curated resources and discussions.
How it works
- Annual cohort runs February to November.
- We begin with a Training Needs Analysis to prioritise topics and tailor learning modes.
- Sessions alternate monthly: workshops and webinars, with coaching every six weeks or so.
- The Academy coordinates and hosts all sessions. Guest specialists contribute where useful.
By the end of this program, you’ll have practical approaches and proven principles to embed extension into your research—so you can design projects that engage the right people, enable change, and achieve lasting impact.
Submit your details to secure your place.
Who you will learn from
Dr John James is deeply passionate about enabling change and fostering innovation. With a wealth of experience, he specialises in helping organisations enhance the skills and capabilities of their teams in all aspects of extension and adoption. As an Adjunct Associate Professor with The University of Queensland, John brings a practical, hands-on approach to his work, bridging the gap between theory and real-world application. John is a keen supporter of the Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (APEN), having been a past President, the convenor for two international conferences, and is an APEN Life Member.
Denise Bewsell is passionate about helping people enable change and strengthen how they work with others. With a background in Agricultural Science and a Masters exploring how people respond to information, she combines research insight with real-world experience. As a Principal at Scarlatti, Denise leads the extension programme design area and has worked extensively across agriculture supporting facilitators and researchers. An APEN Life Member and associate editor of its journal, she’s excited to help others build capability through Enablers of Change.
Program details
- Annual cohort runs February to November.
- We begin with a Training Needs Analysis to prioritise topics and tailor learning modes.
- Sessions alternate monthly: workshops and webinars, with coaching every six weeks or so.
- Investment: The price for this program is A$2000 ex GST per participant.
- Register your interest: Simply add your details to this form and we’ll let you know when the course is next offered.
Turn great research into real impact!
Take the next step toward embedding extension principles and practices into your projects so your research leads to meaningful on-farm change. Enrol now to gain the tools, approaches, and confidence to connect science with practice and achieve lasting impact.
FAQs
What is the Growing Extension Capability program about
This year-long program is designed to strengthen how we design, deliver, and evaluate change efforts across RD&E. Through workshops, webinars, coaching, and a supported Community of Practice, we build practical skills, confidence, and a strong peer cohort. The program helps us embed proven extension principles into real projects so our research leads to meaningful, on-farm impact.
Who is this program for
It’s ideal for researchers, farm advisors, enablers of change, project managers, and anyone involved in RD&E who wants a consistent, evidence-based way to lift adoption and impact. If you’re seeking practical methods to turn research into results, or value learning with a cross-industry cohort over time, this program is a good fit.
How is the program delivered
The program blends four half-day online workshops, four targeted 90-minute webinars, regular small-group coaching, and an optional two-day annual event held in person. All online components are hosted via Zoom, with interactive activities, examples, and discussion to help you apply the tools immediately.
Do I need any special software or accounts
No special software is required. You’ll receive Zoom links and access details for the Community of Practice before each session. Please ensure you have the latest version of Zoom installed.
What if I can’t commit to this year’s cohort
If the timing doesn’t suit, simply add your details to the waitlist and we’ll notify you when the next cohort is offered.
How much time do I need to commit
Across February to November, you’ll participate in one major learning touchpoint each month—alternating between workshops and webinars—along with coaching approximately every six weeks. Most participants find this rhythm manageable alongside project work.
What will I walk away with
By the end of the program, you’ll have practical artefacts you can use straight away in your projects, including stakeholder maps, Theories of Change, activity sequences, and monitoring plans. You’ll also gain a stronger, more defensible approach to designing and delivering extension, and a trusted cross-industry network to draw on.
Is there an initial assessment or preparation
Yes. We begin with a Training Needs Analysis so we can tailor content and prioritise capability areas that matter most to the cohort.
Are places limited
Yes. To ensure meaningful interaction, coaching, and personalised support, participant numbers are capped. Early registration is recommended.
Can multiple people from one organisation enrol
Yes. Simply provide each person’s details when submitting the registration form. A tax invoice will be generated from the information you provide.
What does the program cost
The investment is A$2000 ex GST per participant.
Is it only for people in Australia?
No, this course is open to anyone, no matter their location or nationality. While we expect most participants will be located across Australia, we’re looking forward to people from New Zealand and other countries joining in. We’ve scheduled the live sessions at 11:30 am AEDT to accommodate as many time zones as possible.
Can I register multiple people from my organisation at once?
Yes. Simply list all the participants’ names and email addresses in the appropriate fields of the registration form, and then provide the name and email address of the person making the booking in the final comments field, and the tax invoice will be sent to them.
Are places limited?
Yes. To make the workshop engaging and worthwhile, participant numbers are capped. This ensures plenty of opportunity for discussion and interaction with the trainers.
How is the workshop delivered?
The session is delivered live via Zoom. You’ll take part in interactive discussions and activities, with practical examples you can apply immediately in your work.
Do I need any special software or account?
No special software or account is required. You’ll receive a Zoom link by email before the workshop—just click to join. Please check beforehand that you have the latest version of Zoom installed on your computer.
How can I pay?
We prefer payment by bank transfer, as this avoids processing costs. However, for your convenience, you can also pay by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) through our secure Stripe payment gateway.
Are there any extra fees?
Only when paying by credit card, as Stripe charges a small processing fee that is automatically added to your total. For Australian cards, this is 1.7% + A$0.30 (inc GST). For international cards, this is 3.5% + A$0.30 (ex GST). These charges are passed on at cost so that we receive the full workshop or course amount. The total payable is displayed clearly before you confirm payment.
Why do you pass on Stripe fees?
As a small business, we prefer to keep our standard prices as low as possible and only recover processing costs from those choosing to pay by card. Paying by bank transfer avoids these fees entirely.
Is my payment secure?
Yes. All card payments are encrypted and processed securely by Stripe, a PCI-compliant global payment provider. We do not store or have access to your credit-card details.
How do I register?
Click the link below to secure your spot.
What if I can’t attend at that date and time?
If the scheduled date for this course doesn’t suit you, simply add your details to this form and we’ll let you know when the course is next offered.
Are refunds available?
We offer refunds up to seven days before the course date; after that point, refunds aren’t available. If something comes up within those final seven days, another person from your organisation is welcome to attend in your place at no additional cost. To arrange this, just email us the full name, role, and contact details of the substitute attendee and we’ll update the registration.
If you have any other questions, feel free to email us: info@enablersofchange.com.au. We’re here to help!