Ben Lyons

Associate Professor Ben Lyons is the inaugural Director of the Rural Economies Centre of Excellence (RECoE) at the University of Southern Queensland, leading a multi-university partnership with the Queensland Government. He holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics from The University of Queensland and has extensive experience in agribusiness, education management, and international trade, particularly in Asia and Europe. His work focuses on rural and regional development, climate adaptation, and ag technology adoption. He has advised major brands like Dulwich College International and The Woolmark Company, and his research addresses challenges in supply chain innovation, carbon markets, and workforce resilience in regional economies.

Lyons' career includes roles as CEO of Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise, where he secured critical infrastructure projects such as a weekly freight route to Hong Kong and a $400M Ag Tech investment forum. He is a sought-after commentator on China-Australia trade relations, leveraging his fluency in Mandarin and deep understanding of Chinese economic history and literature. His multidisciplinary expertise spans Fintech, perishable freight logistics, and market access strategies, with frequent media engagements and advisory roles at CEDA and FRRR.

His research outputs emphasize practical solutions for rural communities, including drought resilience planning, workforce retention strategies, and energy transition frameworks. RECoE's place-based research model combines economic analysis with community-driven innovation, aiming to sustain regional economies through leadership and entrepreneurship.