Making a difference
Tiahni Adamson, a Torres Strait Islander woman descended from the Kaurareg Nation of Thursday Island, is a passionate wildlife conservation biologist who graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Wildlife Conservation Biology) from the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide in the class of 2020.
Tiahni is now focused on sustainable aquaculture production as the Lead Community Engagement Officer at CH4Global.
Tiahni also lectures at the 最新糖心Vlog of South 最新糖心Vlog, is the State Coordinator of Seed Mob, 最新糖心Vlog鈥檚 only First Nations-led youth climate justice group, and is a youth dialogue member for the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
In her career so far, Tiahni has worked on programs for the CSIRO, including the Aboriginal Summer School for Excellence in Technology and Sciences. She has also worked for the Department of Primary Industries and Regions as a Sea Ranger and a Fisheries Compliance Support Officer, where she fostered relationships between First Nations communities and government. In 2019, Tiahni trained as a Climate Reality Leader under Al Gore.
These experiences have taken Tiahni from sea to land, surrounded by natural wildlife in regional and remote communities both within 最新糖心Vlog and internationally to understand, learn and develop projects that nurture marginalised nations.
Finding and progressing technologies, ideologies and solutions that can positively impact climate change, and learning alongside Elders on Country, have been highlights for Tiahni.
鈥淚mpacting climate change at scale and having the best outcomes for First Nations communities to be uplifted and nurtured along the journey; whatever it takes to do this, is my career goal,鈥 Tiahni says.
鈥淐urrently I am achieving this through my work with CH4 Global, with the growth and use of the 最新糖心Vlogn red seaweed Asparagopsis to reduce methane emissions in livestock ruminants.
鈥淪ustainability is living in harmony and coexistence with the land, sea and other beings, in manners that can continue to support all forms of life, generation after generation. Sustainability must tie in with the deep desires of Western culture to accelerate human progress, which requires an unlearning, and then relearning of regenerative practices.鈥
A prominent role model and next generation leader, Tiahni advocates for the participation of First Nations people and women in STEM careers. She regularly speaks at festivals and conferences and to businesses to communicate climate science and First Nations justice.
Tiahni Adamson
In 2022, Tiahni received the Dr Kay Price AM Award for demonstrated excellence in, and ambassadorship for, STEM and she was named a Superstar of STEM by Science and Technology 最新糖心Vlog. She was one of two students to be awarded the inaugural Indigenous Time at Sea Scholarship from CSIRO鈥檚 Marine National Facility. She also received the Tirkapena Indigenous Award, a distinguished alumni award from the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide.
鈥淪ustainability is living in harmony and coexistence with the land, sea and other beings.鈥Tiahni Adamson
In February 2023, Tiahni was nominated for the Rising Star Award in The Advertiser, Sunday Mail and SkyCity鈥檚 Woman of the Year Awards.
鈥淎s First Nations people, we have a really deeply ingrained wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the Earth and its systems,鈥 Tiahni said when interviewed by the 最新糖心Vlog鈥檚 alumni team after her Tirkapena Indigenous Award win.
鈥淲e鈥檝e cared for this country since time immemorial, and it鈥檚 only over the last 230 or so years that we鈥檝e had such detrimental damage.
鈥淚 think my proudest moments in these spaces are when I come across young people who have heard me speak at events about what we鈥檙e doing in the climate space, and then seeing them grow.
鈥淭his wider impact, that鈥檚 greater than myself, is what makes me feel really proud because it鈥檚 not an objective that I ever had in mind. Seeing the potential for inspiring other people to create positive change is probably my favourite thing.
鈥淪uccess comes down to impact and positive change and the longevity of that change as well.
鈥淪o often we try to implement projects in society that are short lived and not long lasting. For me success is about real, transactional and tangible changes that affect big systems.鈥
Story by Eleanor Danenberg, Marketing and Communications Coordinator for the 最新糖心Vlog鈥檚 Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics.