Researcher biography
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Environmental Management (Honours Class I) - University of Queensland (2019)
Project title:
'Climate Change Adaptation in Tuvalu'
Project description:
Tuvalu is a low-lying atoll island nation in the Pacific Islands region that is highly vulnerable to climate impacts, facing increasing pressures from sea level rise, coastal erosion, and limited land resources. Many climate change adaptation initiatives have been implemented across the country, including projects focused on coastal protection, food security, and water security. However, there remains limited empirical understanding of how these initiatives influence Tuvaluans’ capacity to respond to climate change impacts, particularly from the perspectives of local communities.
This research explores how climate change adaptation is shaped across regional, national, and local scales in Tuvalu, and how local communities experience and assess the effectiveness of adaptation initiatives. The study draws on a conceptual framework that brings together Community-Based Adaptation (CBA) and Multi-Level Governance (MLG), and examines both hard adaptation measures, such as land reclamation, and soft adaptation measures, including nature-based solutions such as mangrove and coral reef restoration. Using qualitative and participatory research methods, this project centres community perspectives to identify the factors that contribute to adaptation outcomes that are equitable, culturally appropriate, and sustainable.
Funding:
Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) Scholarship
School of the Environment HDR Funding
Advisors/supervisors:
Professor Karen McNamara, Dr Claudia Benham, Dr Alvin Chandra, Dr Annah Piggott-McKellar