A Young Voice, A Clear Direction

Mikayla Hyland-Wood, Policy and Research Officer

After six months as a research and policy intern at Watertrust, Mikayla Hyland-Wood is about to take the next step in her journey – completing a Master’s degree in Water Science, Policy and Management at the University of Oxford.

Mikayla joined the team with experience in research, community-based water programs, and international development work. At Watertrust, she found something different.

“Working for an organisation designed to respond to Australia’s complex and contested water landscape has been a special opportunity,” she says. “It gave me the confidence to take the next step.”

That next step will see her explore the intersection of water, people, and decision-making, building on what she’s learned through Watertrust’s collaborative work with communities in the Upper Murrumbidgee and Lower Balonne.

Asked what she hopes to see for Australia’s water sector in the decade ahead, her answer reflects both her optimism and her experience: “That people feel they have genuine involvement in the decisions that affect them. And that governments at every level feel supported to run thoughtful, challenging processes that result in fairer, more enduring outcomes.”

Mikayla’s voice has been a valuable part of our work. We’re proud to have supported her journey and excited to see where it leads next.

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