A rural Eastern Bay PhD student, Sarah van der Boom, is the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Roland Stead Doctoral Scholarship in Dryland Pastoral Research.

The scholarship is described by Lincoln University, the institution through which Ms van der Boom studies, as one of the most prestigious scholarships from an external trust that the university manages.

The scholarship is intended to provide financial support for the university’s best postgraduate student to assist in study towards a research degree.

Ms van der Boom said the scholarship was pivotal in enabling her to complete her studies.

“I felt a bit emotional when I received the news and read the offer letter. I feel a huge responsibility to produce something worthy of the privilege, and at the same time, I am super excited to work toward this challenge,” she said.

Ms van der Boom’s early research explored how women were responding internationally to rural social and environmental issues, including what might be applicable in New Zealand. The research highlighted rapid and significant changes in rural society over the past 35 years.

Ms van der Boom said in New Zealand, less than 25 percent of the rural population was now employed in primary industries, and only 15 percent of working-aged women living rurally are working in primary industries.

“Many people living rurally now are on lifestyle blocks and commuting or telecommuting for work. This is a huge shift from the 1990s when most rural dwellers were engaged in some form of primary production. These changing dynamics challenge the idea of ‘what is rural?’ and can impact how modern rural society functions,” she said.

Over the next six months, Ms van der Boom will interview women living and working rurally in the Bay of Plenty and Canterbury, to find out how they are responding, or wanting to respond, to rural issues. She said the research participants were from very diverse backgrounds, including rural leadership, healthcare, science, environmental consulting, law, horticulture, dairy farming, organics, sheep and beef industry, deer farming and more.

“The research has been an incredible journey so far. It is a privilege to take a glimpse into the busy lives of really diverse rural women. I am very grateful to all of the women who have agreed to participate so far,” said Ms van der Boom.