Nadia Olivia Parker

Nadia Olivia Parker, Ph.D., was a distinguished professor of environmental science at the University of Auckland until her retirement in 2024. She has been an influential figure in New Zealand's conservation efforts and continues to contribute as a senior advisor to the university’s Centre for Sustainability.

A passionate advocate for biodiversity and climate action, Nadia received the prestigious Sir Peter Blake Trust Environmental Award in 2019 for her outstanding contributions to environmental stewardship. Her work has graced the pages of renowned publications such as Nature, The Guardian, Sydney Morning Herald, and National Geographic, among others.

Nadia is also the author of several books, with her latest being "Tides of Change: The Impact of Rising Seas on Coastal Communities" (Oxford, 2023), which explores the effects of sea-level rise on communities around the Pacific Rim. Her earlier works include "Eco-Warriors: The Rise of Grassroots Environmental Activism" (Oxford, 2015), which chronicles the stories of everyday heroes fighting for the planet, and "Silent Forests: The Quiet Crisis of Deforestation" (Oxford, 2010), translated into eight languages, detailing the hidden impacts of deforestation and its global implications.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Nadia spent years working closely with indigenous Maori communities, integrating traditional knowledge with modern science to better protect New Zealand's unique ecosystems. Her collaborative approach has set a new standard for ecological research and policy-making.

Follow her legacy on Twitter @nadiaparkerolivia.