MEDIA & PRESS
Dr. Nancy R. Irwin
Scientist and programme strategist who works where policy meets reality.
Dr. Nancy R. Irwin is a scientist and programme strategist who works where policy, finance, and real-world delivery meet. After rebuilding her life following a severe brain injury, she co-authored the PNG Vanilla Standard with UNCTAD and 33 ministries, later adopted into law, and has supported over 30,000 farmers. She presented at APEC 2026 on green investment for Papua New Guinea.
KEY FACTS
- Co-authored the PNG Vanilla Standard and Export Guide with UNCTAD and 33 ministries, later adopted into law
- Co-founded and led Kamapim Ltd, a vanilla and cocoa export company in Papua New Guinea
- Co-designed the first integrated agricultural credit scoring system in Oceania, based on field data
- Led community conservation protecting 9,600 hectares of rainforest, using conservation deeds that enabled communities to stop illegal logging
- Featured in The Guardian for this work on community-led forest protection in Papua New Guinea
- APEC Presenter, Guangzhou 2026
TOPICS
Agricultural finance and livelihoods
Policy design and implementation
Working in complex environments (PNG and beyond)
Decision-making under pressure (Is It Fatal?)
How to make conservation work
PRESS IMAGES
Right-click any image to download, or contact for high-resolution files.
Headshot
PNG community work
APEC 2026, Guangzhou
PODCAST APPEARANCES
FOCUS ON WHY · EPISODE 511
Justice, Respect and Sustainable Impact
A conversation on what it takes to design development programmes that work in practice, why justice and respect sit at the heart of sustainable impact, and the realities of delivery in Papua New Guinea.
“Programmes don’t fail because of effort. They fail when design doesn’t match reality.”
“If it’s not fatal, you have options.”
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
© 2026 Dr. Nancy R. Irwin. All rights reserved.