Zina Bird has achieved a major academic milestone, successfully defending her PhD on climate change and food security, reinforcing the critical role of education in driving meaningful change. Ms Bird is originally from Malaita in the Solomon Islands. Her research, title; The Impact of Climate Change on Local Domestic Crops: Implications for Household Food and Nutritional Security in Malaita, Solomon Islands, examines how rural farmers are adapting to climate-related challenges. The findings aim to address food security issues in her homeland, the Solomon Islands. For the 36-year-old, the journey to earning a PhD was filled with obstacles, but perseverance remained her guiding force. She credits her success to the unwavering support of her family, mentors, and the wisdom passed down by her grandparents. “From the beginning of my education, earning a PhD was always my goal,” Ms Bird said. “The road was challenging, but the commitment to making a difference kept me going.” Academic journey Her academic journey began in the Solomon Islands and later expanded to Papua New Guinea, where her Master’s research inspired her to delve deeper into climate change’s impact on local agriculture. Identifying gaps in existing research, she dedicated her doctoral studies to understanding how farmers in Malaita are coping with environmental changes. Ms Bird’s family was proud of her achievement, with emotional moments shared over phone calls after her thesis defense. She also reflected on the absence of her late sister, whose support she deeply missed. “If my sister were here, she would be thrilled. But I know she’s smiling down on me along with all the loved ones I’ve lost during my PhD journey.” Now a graduate under the newly established Centre for Sustainable Futures (CSF), Ms Bird is enthusiastic about the opportunities the institution offers to students pursuing research in diverse fields. Encouraging aspiring academics, she emphasised the limitless potential of education. A Master’s or PhD is more than just a degree it’s a journey of intellectual growth and a chance to serve your country and region through meaningful research.” With her PhD completed, Ms Bird looks forward to applying her knowledge to real-world challenges, ensuring her research contributes to sustainable solutions for food security and climate resilience in the Pacific. Feedback: sosiveta.korobiau@fijisun.com.fj