A bird in the hand and two feet on the soil

| Posted May 13,2024

Soil CRC PhD student Melissa Wales pictured in the field.

An Australian wildlife enthusiast, Soil CRC PhD student Melissa Wales has always been passionate about the natural world. She was known to save insects and other small creatures as a young child and is still a keen fauna advocate.

“My fondest memory is working at a pharmacy when my co-workers came running to ask me to help a bird that was trapped inside,” Melissa recalled. “I was able to free the little Spotted Pardalote and put it outside in a tree where it eventually flew away.”

Since being appointed captain of sustainability and environment in her final year of high school, Melissa has followed a consistent trajectory. She studied a Bachelor of Science (Resource and Environmental Management) at the Australian National University (ANU), which led to an honours degree in groundwater science.

“It was at ANU that I met the wonderful team at iCAM (Integrated Catchment Assessment and Management Centre) and the amazing Professor Allan Curtis, who really encouraged me to pursue a PhD after honours,” she said.

“I was then accepted by Charles Sturt University to commence my doctorate through the Soil CRC and was supported by my incredible supervisors, Professor Catherine Allan and Associate Professor Ben Wilson.”

Melissa’s PhD research aimed to identify and understand the social norms around soil management that are operating within Australian farming communities. She looked at how these norms may be influencing perceptions of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ agricultural management practices today, and in turn how this influences management and policy decisions.

“I interviewed 31 agricultural professionals in southern NSW about their attitudes towards soil management in Australia today, which involved speaking with farmers, soil officers, soil scientists and agronomists,” Melissa explained.

“My research identified several social norms around soil management which have powerful implications for natural resource management programs and policies.”

Melissa’s research can help farmers better understand their values, beliefs and the social norms that are operating within their communities and guiding their management of soils.

“I hope that my research demonstrates that there is so much opportunity for policy to influence soil management, by expanding research and engagement from the purely biophysical and technical into multi and transdisciplinary studies that involve a range of social scientists.”

When asked what she enjoyed most about her PhD, Melissa said she valued the opportunity to contribute to the growing body of research about soil science and social norms.

“I appreciated being able to work closely with farmers, policy makers, soil officers and soil scientists and learnt so much from them.”

Now that she has submitted her thesis, Melissa said she can fully appreciate how far she has come in such a short time and how much she has gained.

“I faced many significant obstacles during my PhD and I’m extremely proud of the tenacity and resilience I showed throughout,” she said.

“I am really grateful for all the support I have received from my supervisors, Charles Sturt University, the graduate office, and the Soil CRC.”

“I am also incredibly blessed with the most supportive and tight knit family who have supported my education every step of the way – my husband, mum, dad and brother inspire me the most, and I am grateful for them every single day,” Melissa emphasised.

“Thanks to my support network I was able to submit a thesis that I am incredibly proud of, and believe I did a great justice to my research participants.”

On the career-front, Melissa is excited by the opportunities that may arise from her involvement with the Soil CRC and is keen to develop her skills as a researcher in the public or private sector.

“My ultimate goal is to work with a wide variety of stakeholders to help improve soil management and natural resource management for the future,” she said.