Nuffield Scholar 2026 & Research
In November I was honoured to be awarded a Nuffield Scholarship to research "The Third Model", an exploration of how indigenous and colonial knowledge systems can be integrated across land and water use to create a visionary future for agriculture in New Zealand. Please join me for this journey.
Nuffield 2026
My Nuffield year is in full swing and I'm excited for the journey.
For the New Zealand Scholars, the Nuffield Scholarship includes a week of Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme (Lincoln), the Value Chain Innovation Programme (Napier, Tauranga, Te Puke, Hamilton), Contemporary Scholars Conference (Japan) and the Global Focus Programme (Indonesia, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Alberta, Mexico). My individual study is to be confirmed but at this stage will likely include Canada, Australia, India and South Korea.
My facilitation work will continue as I have availability. Please get in touch as soon as possible if you require my services so that we can make suitable arrangements.
Please see below for information on how to follow my Nuffield journey. If you are considering applying for any of the Rural Leaders Programmes and could use a chat beforehand, please don't hesitate to reach out. If you are a current Nuffield Scholar looking to travel to New Zealand please let me know if I can assist your research.
Being the Plus One: Women in Agriculture Research Project
Concurrent with my Nuffield project, I have another research project currently underway. Please see details below. Reporting for this project is expected in Quarter 4, 2026.
Women play a central role in New Zealand agriculture, yet their financial position and long-term security within farming businesses is not well understood. This survey aims to explore the lived experiences of women in relation to farm finances, ownership structures, and decision-making, particularly where assets are held through trusts, companies, or multi-generational arrangements. Early conversations suggest that many women could face significant financial vulnerability if their circumstances changed unexpectedly - for example, through widowhood, separation, or shifts in farm succession plans. Unlike previous generations, today’s women are often deeply involved in farm life but are not necessarily recognised as owners or equal financial partners, despite contributing substantially to the success of the farming operation. This is a modern and rapidly changing issue, and there is currently very little data about how widespread these experiences are, or what they mean for women’s long-term wellbeing and for the resilience of rural communities. Your participation will help build a clearer picture of these realities and highlight the opportunities, risks, and needs facing women in contemporary agriculture.
Agriculture is made up of many pathways, and women engage in this sector in countless ways - through partnership, family connection, business ownership, on-farm roles, off-farm support, or the expectations and responsibilities that come with being part of a farming family. Some women may one day return to a family farm; others are already living and working on-farm within multi-generational ownership structures. Many contribute financially, practically, or emotionally to farm life, even when not formally recognised as owners or decision-makers. This survey welcomes all of these experiences. Some questions may apply to you more closely than others. Where your situation doesn’t fit a tick-box, you are invited to add your own context so we can understand your perspective.
To our knowledge, a survey of this nature has not previously been conducted in New Zealand agriculture. Your insights are valuable and appreciated.
The Women in Agriculture Project survey can be answered here.
Follow the Journey
Through-out my travels in 2026 I will be updating both my instagram (usually daily) and LinkedIn (usually weekly) with learnings, insights and the day-to-day experience of being a Nuffield Scholar. I'd love to have you along for the journey!