Solastalgia, the feeling of homesickness or grief while you’re still at home, caused by damage to your environment. This is the central concept to the research of UNE PhD candidate, and proud Gamilaraay/Wiradjuri woman, Kisani Upward.
Kisani explores solastalgia in relation to the 2019/2020 Black Summer Bushfires and the emotional impacts it had on First Nations communities, through the Medical Research Future Fund’s Bushfire Impact Project. With increasing temperatures and the upcoming El Niño summer in Australia, her research is important now more than ever.
While never having a clear idea of what she wanted to be when she left school, Kisani said of two things she was certain: “I love being creative and I love to help others.” This led her to pursue a Master of Philosophy at UNE, which, with the support of her supervisors and mentors, became a PhD in Philosophy. Her primary supervisor, Professor Kim Usher, introduced her to the term solastalgia.
I look forward to the future of Aboriginal health and wellbeing research, and by actively being involved, I hope to continue contributing to this space, not only for my community and regional/rural Aboriginal communities, but also for the future of my children.
“The term was created by Professor Glenn Albrecht after he witnessed the distress, anxiety, grief and loss felt by the Communities surrounding the Hunter Valley as a consequence of heavy industrialisation and mining within the area,” Kisani says.
Kisani at a community event.
She developed “a fascination, a passion, an obsession” with the term and is contributing to a growing body of research that studies the impact of increasingly frequent natural disasters, caused by a rapidly changing climate. Kisani and her team’s research is done in collaboration with the Nucoorilma community of Tingha.
Kisani hopes her research can help influence national policies and strategies that aim to prevent natural disasters and inform post-disaster interventions, as well as show how environmental change disproportionately affects First Nations communities.
"I look forward to the future of Aboriginal health and wellbeing research, and by actively being involved, I hope to continue contributing to this space, not only for my community and regional/rural Aboriginal communities, but also for the future of my children."
Kisani and her daughter
Kisani’s research project will culminate in the opening of The Guwiinbarraan Project art exhibition at the Armidale Cultural Centre and Keeping Place in January next year and she is hoping to submit her thesis in April.
While she had to adapt to an “intense learning curve” in her studies, Kisani says it was made easier by the support of her supervisors, mentors and family.
"I have been extremely fortunate to find my home within UNE.
“UNE has a brilliant philosophy of promoting cross-disciplinary collaborations, which have been beneficial to our project. UNE and Oorala have been provided immense support to my studies and the project itself.
“As a regional university, UNE is making considerable steps to supporting and encouraging Indigenous methods of academic practice and research.”
Kisani lives by this message: “Take each day as it comes. Consider each opportunity to ensure that it aligns with your personal values and goals. And lastly, strike up a good work/life balance, because what’s living if it doesn’t involve a bit of fun.”
To find out more about Kisani’s project, visit her Close to Fire Project page.
