Hameer Jhiknaria, update: March 2025

Scholarship helps see research go from north-western Victoria to nationwide

‘The study area has been expanded initially from North-West Victoria to the whole of Australia using more refined data – and the findings are very significant for Victoria.’

One of the 5 researchers into drought resilience who was awarded the inaugural Vic Hub Drought Resilience Scholarship last year, here’s what Hameer is up to now:

Expansion made possible

Hameer says, “With the Scholarship Award, I have been able to extend my study area, refine my analysis and build upon the initial findings of the research.

“The study area has been expanded initially from North-West Victoria to the whole of Australia using more refined data – and the findings are very significant for Victoria.

“The results have been finalised from the research and the manuscript is drafted. I have also submitted the research abstract for the upcoming Drought Resilience 2025 conference under the ‘Lessons from Past’ interdisciplinary theme.”

Hameer says he’s looking forward to talking more about the outcomes from his research wherever he gets the chance.

“I’ll be honoured to present my refined analysis and share the insights I have gained through my expanded research – made possible because of the support from Vic Hub Scholarship Award 2024.”

About the project

Spatio-Temporal Assessment of Agricultural Drought Vulnerability with Farmers’ Perspective in North-West Victoria

Hameer’s study is using GIS to understand historic changes in drought vulnerability in north-western Victoria. Focusing on the period 2006-21, the project uses key statistics related to farm-level impacts of drought, such as wheat production, profitability, land use and farm-water use, coupled with broader social and physical statistics to describe the relative vulnerability of LGA’s in north-west Victoria to drought.

See the original interview with Hameer about his project here.

Hameer is studying at Vic Hub partner The University of Melbourne.