Q. When did you begin your research? When are you anticipating finishing?

A. I started my research in July 2024 and am now working towards my first milestone. I’m studying part-time while continuing my role in regional local government, focusing on climate adaptation. I really want to sit between research and practice — to bring what I’ve learnt through my work into my PhD, and to use my research to support others in similar roles across smaller local governments in Victoria. Because I’m doing my PhD part-time, I’m aiming to finish in 2030. The longer timeframe actually works in our favour, as it gives us a chance to see how adaptation efforts evolve over time and respond to increasing disasters such as drought. I’ll be sharing a report with the Vic Hub later this year after completing my first milestone.

Q. Noting your research topic “How local government officers efforts to advance long-term climate change adaptation are affected by immediate climatic stressors including drought”, with your research to “explore the barriers, challenges and opportunities to embed CCA at the local government level and its implications for community resilience and wellbeing”. What drew you to this area?

A. I work in this space and see first-hand how hard it can be for local governments to plan for long-term climate adaptation while constantly responding to immediate pressures such as extreme weather events. I’ve always had a passion for local government and the strong connection it has with the community. Through my research, I want to explore the real challenges and opportunities by speaking with and learning from colleagues working in this field. Living in a regional area myself, I’m especially interested in focusing on rural and regional councils, which often face additional challenges when it comes to embedding climate change adaptation into their day-to-day work.

Q. How will your research help Australian farming and rural & regional communities prepare for drought, and be drought resilient?

A. Adaptation is all about adjusting and planning for what’s ahead. With large parts of Victoria expected to become hotter and drier, we need to be thinking now about how to prepare. Local government is in a really good position to work closely with rural and regional communities to build drought resilience. My research looks at the challenges and opportunities councils are facing, and how they’re already working with their communities to adapt. The findings will help shine a light on what’s working well and where more support is needed to embed climate change adaptation at the local level.

Q. What does the Vic Hub scholarship mean for your work?

A. It’s great for my topic to be recognised, and it will support me to be able to engage with experts in the field.

Q. What drew you to agriculture?

A. I live in a regional area and have always been interested in rural communities and the challenges they face, especially with the growing impacts of climate change. Agriculture is such a big part of life in many rural and regional areas across Victoria. I’m really interested in how the sector’s unique challenges connect with community resilience and the role local government can play. It’s something I’ve explored through my work, and I’m excited to explore it in depth through this research project.

Q. What’s a highlight for you so far in your project research?

A. I’m still in the early stages of my project, but receiving this scholarship has definitely been a highlight. It’s been really encouraging to see such a positive response to my research topic and ideas — it confirms that this is an important area to be exploring. I can see the potential for this research to make a real difference for local governments and the rural and regional communities they support.