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Tiahni Adamson
Adamson in 2025
Born
Tiahni Jade Adamson

1995/1996 (age 28–29)[1]
Alma materUniversity of Adelaide (BSc)
OccupationWildlife conservation biologist
Known forEnvironmental and indigenous activism
Tiahni Adamson's voice
Adamson speaking about climate change
Recorded 9 May 2025

Tiahni Jade Adamson (born 1995/1996)[1] is an Australian wildlife conservation biologist and advocate for Indigenous Australians and women in STEM. Named South Australian Young Australian of the Year in 2024 and nominated for the national Young Australian of the Year,[2][3] she is renowned for her impactful activism and contributions to environmental science.[4] Adamson is also widely recognised for her work with First Nations communities, her dedication to sustainability, and her efforts to combat climate change.[5]

Early life and education

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Tiahni Jade Adamson[1] is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman descended from the Kaurareg Nations, developed a strong passion for sustainability from an early age.[2] Growing up on the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia,[6] she initially studied veterinary medicine at the University of Adelaide. However, her growing concern about the decline of Australia's biodiversity led her to shift her focus to science.[7] Determined to protect the environment and conserve native species, she completed a Bachelor of Science in wildlife conservation biology in 2020.[8][9] During her time at university, she was one of the first two recipients of the Indigenous Time at Sea Scholarship (ITSS). As part of this opportunity, Adamson joined fellow student Sophie Gilbey and ITSS coordinator Hannah McCleary on the program's inaugural research voyage aboard the RV Investigator. The expedition departed Darwin on 23 December 2019 and arrived in Fremantle on 2 January 2020, after ten days studying the ocean and atmosphere along Australia's west coast.[10]

Career

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Adamson has worked closely with the CSIRO on Indigenous education initiatives and was trained as a Climate Reality Leader by Al Gore in 2019.[2] By 2023, she had contributed to programs such as the Aboriginal Summer School for Excellence in Technology and Sciences. She also served as a Fisheries Compliance Support Officer and Sea Ranger for PIRSA, where she actively fostered stronger connections between government agencies and First Nations communities.[11][9] Adamson remains dedicated to healing and protecting Country, advocating for environmental justice, and empowering First Nations peoples through her work.[12]

Incorporating First Nations wisdom ... it's not just something that would be great, it's something that’s been cut out of leadership programs intentionally since colonisation and definitely something we need to bring back into conversations

Tiahni Adamson, on regional leadership program (2023)[13]

As of 2022, Adamson serves as the lead community engagement officer at CH4 Global, a climate tech start-up focused on reducing methane emissions from livestock through sustainable seaweed aquaculture. In this role, she works to integrate Indigenous knowledge into climate solutions, particularly through the use of Asparagopsis, a native seaweed shown to significantly cut methane output from cattle.[14] CH4 Global's mission centres on developing environmentally responsible agricultural practices to address climate change. In 2023, Adamson shared her vision: "…to be a part of bettering our ecological crisis and fight for First Nations rights, where Indigenous people gain full re-independence of our livelihoods, and where the Earth can heal and rest."[12]

Adamson serves on the Green Adelaide Board, is a youth member of the Uluru Statement from the Heart,[15] and is part of the leadership team for Seed—Australia's only First Nations-led youth climate justice group.[13] Her involvement with the Uluru Statement is grounded in her belief that science and politics are deeply interconnected. She sees the Voice as a vital step toward healing for Australia's First Nations people—its first scientists—and believes it will benefit both Indigenous communities and the wider Australian public.[15]

Recognitions and awards

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Tiahni speaks at a 2025 rally outside Parliament House, calling for an end to native forest logging

Adamson has been widely featured in both print and radio media, with interviews and coverage highlighting her achievements—including being named South Australia’s Young Australian of the Year and her nomination for the national Young Australian of the Year title.[16] Outlets such as CityMag,[13] The Canberra Times,[17] and Cosmos[15] have spotlighted her leadership, her advocacy for regional communities, the pressing threat of climate change, and the vital intersection between climate action and First Nations perspectives.[18]

She has received several notable awards, including:

  • 2024 – Young South Australian of the Year.[6]
  • 2023 – Superstar of STEM, 2023–2024 cohort.[2]
  • 2023 – South Australian Woman of the Year finalist.
  • 2023 – InDaily South Australian 40 Under 40 for 2023.[2]
  • 2022 – Tirkapena Indigenous Award 2022.[19]
  • 2022 – Seven News Young Achiever Award finalist.[6]
  • 2022 – Dr Kaye Price AM award for commitment, advocacy and ambassadorship for STEM.[19]
  • 2021 – SA Environment, Leif Justham Young Achiever Award.[20]
  • 2020 – ATSI Engagement Impact Excellence Medal, CSIRO.[21]
  • 2018 – CSIRO Tertiary Education STEM awards finalist.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Previous Finalists". Awards Australia. Archived from the original on 2025-02-11. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Tiahni Adamson". Australian of the Year. Archived from the original on 2025-03-16. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  3. ^ Gore, Charlotte (2024-01-25). "Meet the change makers in the running to be named Australian of the Year 2024". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2025-05-08. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  4. ^ "Tiahni Adamson, Young South Australian of the Year, to Open Talks in Ten Program at Science Alive". Science Alive. 2024-07-29. Archived from the original on 2025-03-16. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
  5. ^ "Tiahni Adamson named 2024's Young Australian of the Year for South Australia". Hughes PR. 2023-11-02. Archived from the original on 2025-04-01. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
  6. ^ a b c Tiller, Abbie (2024-05-22). "Country South Aussie's shine at 7News Young Achiever Awards". Greater SA. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  7. ^ "A hope that landscape management combines western and Indigenous science". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2020-05-30. Archived from the original on 2024-11-04. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
  8. ^ 2021 Graduation Ceremonies (PDF). University of Adelaide. 2021. p. 62. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-12-08.
  9. ^ a b Danenberg, Eleanor (2023-05-16). "Making a difference". University of Adelaide. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
  10. ^ "Tiahni Adamson". CSIRO. Archived from the original on 2025-01-18. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
  11. ^ "Tiahni Adamson talks about First Nations knowledge, nurturing country and climate change". 3KND Kool 'N' Deadly. 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
  12. ^ a b "Meet the leaders in this year's 40 Under 40". InDaily. 2023-07-11. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  13. ^ a b c Karakulak, Helen (2023-11-23). "A Newday for leadership in the regions". CityMag. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  14. ^ "CH4 Global's Tiahni Adamson Announced as a Superstar of STEM". CH4 Global. 2022-11-17. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  15. ^ a b c Bowler, Jacinta (2023-10-03). "Science and the Voice to Parliament". Cosmos. Archived from the original on 2025-05-08. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  16. ^ "Australian of the Year series". SBS World News. 2024-01-18. Archived from the original on 2025-05-08. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  17. ^ "Meet SA's diverse nominees for 2024 Australian of the Year Awards". The Canberra Times. 2023-10-22. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  18. ^ Wormald, Liam (2024-05-14). "Climate change talk of the town". Port Lincoln Times. Archived from the original on 2025-05-08. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  19. ^ a b "Tiahni Adamson". Alumni | University of Adelaide. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  20. ^ "2021 Award Recipients". SA Environment Awards. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  21. ^ Patten, Nina (2022-04-04). "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Impact Excellence Medal". CSIROpedia. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
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