For many of us, the dangers of climate change feel abstract. We know how pressing the situation is, but we don’t often feel it in our day-to-day lives.
For island communities like Fiji, though, things are different. The threat of climate change is visible. Omnipresent. Concrete.
The solution isn’t so concrete. But it could be found in gravel, sand, limestone and other materials that commonly get discarded and displaced during construction and mining projects.
Researchers like Bora Aska are exploring how these unexpected minerals could be the key to surviving climate change – for island communities, and for the whole world.
My goal is to use my voice to create better outcomes for the environment and society, and to help build a sustainable future for the next generations.
Digging into the importance of natural minerals
We typically only hear about minerals in the news as sources of conflict, inequality, and exploitation.
Bora’s research with UQ’s Sustainable Minerals Institute aims to change this perception – to highlight the important role these minerals play in the environment.
“I see minerals as essential components of the natural world,” she says.
“They are the building blocks for ecosystem services that are vital for both biodiversity conservation and human wellbeing.”
Bora provides a useful analogy to explain why these minerals are critical for multiple reasons.
“Imagine our planet is a big house, and a massive storm – climate change – is coming,” she says.
“To protect the people, animals and plants inside, we need to do two things: switch to clean energy, like solar panels, and build strong physical defences, like seawalls and flood protection.”
Minerals are the key to both these tasks. Elements like silicon (extracted from sand) are required for solar panels, while minerals such as sand, gravel and limestone are used to build seawalls.
“These minerals are much more than just construction materials – they are a vital part of the Earth’s natural system.”
Through her PhD, Bora hopes to develop a comprehensive understanding of how important these minerals are, so communities can use them efficiently and responsibly. But, sometimes, that means leaving them untouched.
“For example, the sand and rocks we dig up for building are often the same materials that naturally keep coastlines from washing away or rivers from flooding,” says Bora.
“My PhD is about assessing the true value of these materials, so we can build a cleaner world – without accidentally breaking the natural foundations that keep us safe from the storm.”
Bora’s collaborative PhD experience
Bora is completing her PhD with UQ’s Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI), supported by her multidisciplinary team of supervisors:
- Professor Daniel Franks, Bora’s primary supervisor and the Director of SMI’s Global Centre for Mineral Security
- Associate Professor Laura Sonter, who works for The Biodiversity Consultancy and whose research focuses on how landscapes can be managed and conserved to benefit both nature and people
- Dr Aurora Torres, a CDEIGENT researcher at the University of Alicante in Spain.
As Bora’s research branches across multiple topics – minerals, climate change, biodiversity, and human security – having access to a diverse range of academics has been essential. It’s also been enlightening.
“By working with a multidisciplinary team of geologists, social scientists, and ecologists, I’ve gained a truly unique perspective on resource extraction,” she says.
This combination of viewpoints is what led to Bora’s nuanced way of perceiving minerals today: not just as commodities, but as foundational parts of the environment that are critical to the future of both the natural world and humanity.
What led Bora to studying a PhD at UQ?
Bora’s research journey began at UQ, where she completed her Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours).
During her undergraduate studies, her supervisors quickly saw she had an aptitude for high-level research and mentored her through a project that ended up getting published in the Nature Sustainability journal. This early milestone confirmed in Bora’s mind that a research career was the right path for her.
Bora next worked on projects such as the Mineral Security Masterclass in Fiji, where she realised just how crucial this area of research is.
“These projects forced me to move beyond desktop research and navigate the real-world overlap of climate change, biodiversity conservation, and mineral security,” she says.
“Seeing the direct impact of environmental shifts on Pacific communities was a firsthand lesson in the urgency of this work.”
“It also shaped me into a more empathetic researcher, ensuring that my academic goals are always aligned with the wellbeing of people and nature.”
Choosing UQ
Progressing into her PhD at UQ was a natural transition for Bora. Throughout her studies, she had already seen and felt inspired by other researchers here and their high-impact work for both the environment and society.
“Ultimately, my decision to pursue a PhD here was driven by two things: the incredible support I received from my supervisors, and the way SMI applies research to solve complex problems in the world,” says Bora.
Bora’s advice for future PhD candidates
To succeed as a PhD student, Bora believes you need to love your topic. But, even more importantly, you should be inspired by the deeper goal and potential impact of your research.
“While you must enjoy your PhD topic, the real motivation should come from using your knowledge and privilege to drive change,” she says.
And as a researcher who is using her voice to help build a sustainable world for future generations, Bora is a wonderful role model for building a PhD project guided by big ambitions and strong values.
“My research is deeply shaped by my personal experiences. By integrating biodiversity conservation with mineral and human security, I hope to address the complexities of the climate transition.”
Ready to embark on your own research journey?
