Biography

Alyssa is a social scientist with a focus on community development. She is finishing her PhD in human geography from the University of Otago looking at small-town change and regional development, while her Masters research focused on climate change adaptation planning and decision-making. The postdoctoral researcher position brings these fields together to look at climate risk and adaptation in the Buller District.

Alyssa’s current research focuses on effective community engagement to enhance local climate resilience. To do this, she is working with vulnerable communities in small-towns and the hinterland to understand climate risks and hazards and to start planning for climate adaptation. Alyssa’s research interests encompass rural development, resilient communities, and enhancing local adaptive capacity.