
Josh Hixson LinkedIn
Senior Research Impact Manager
Adelaide, South Australia
Wine Australia
Dr Josh Hixson is Research Impact Manager at Wine Australia, where he works to maximise the value and impact of research and innovation investments for Australian grapegrowers and winemakers. His role focuses on helping research outcomes transition into practical tools, technologies, products and practices that deliver measurable benefits to the Australian grape and wine sector.
Josh has a strong background in wine science, research and innovation, holding a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Adelaide. Prior to joining Wine Australia, he worked with the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI), where he conducted and published research in wine chemistry, flavour science and grape and wine by-product utilisation. He continues to support research and industry capability development through his role as an Adjunct Research Fellow with the University of South Australia.
At Wine Australia, Josh leads initiatives that strengthen the pathway from research discovery to industry adoption, working closely with researchers, industry stakeholders and end users to ensure innovation addresses real-world challenges and opportunities. His work spans impact-focused project design, stakeholder engagement, research translation and adoption strategies that help Australian wine businesses remain productive, profitable and resilient.
Related research projects
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In progress
Elucidating the effects of environmental volatile compounds on red wine aroma and flavour, and evaluating the potential for novel cover crops in viticulture
Flavour Start: 31 May 2025 -
In progress
Addressing production challenges through the management of wine non-volatiles
Wine production Start: 30 Jun 2022 -
In progress
Fermentation management through optimal microbial consortia
Fermentation Start: 30 Jun 2022 -
In progress
Transformative microbiological inputs for innovative winemaking
Yeast and bacteria Start: 30 Jun 2022 -
In progress
Volatile compound insights: Flavour attributes of current and future commercial significance to growers and winemakers
Faults and taints Start: 30 Jun 2022 -
In progress
Wine components and interactions influencing the in-mouth sensory properties of Australian wine
Flavour Start: 30 Jun 2022 -
Completed
Low- and no-alcohol wine products – understanding technical and sensory-related challenges and opportunities
Wine production Start: 30 Nov 2020 -
Completed
Tracking trends in Australian wine composition and vineyard and winery practices
Data and decision support Start: 30 Jun 2019 -
Completed
Australian Germplasm Register Project
Start: 28 Feb 2019 -
Completed
The impact of metal speciation on the development, shelf-life and sensory properties of wine
Winemaking & production Start: 29 Apr 2018 -
Completed
Management and optimisation of the AWRI Wine Microorganism Culture Collection
Yeast and bacteria Start: 15 Jul 2017 -
Completed
The relationship between grape juice composition and the progress of alcoholic and malolactic fermentation
Fermentation Start: 15 Jul 2017






