King’s Fellow Charlotte Taylor reflects on her time visiting Kingston, Jamaica as part of the inaugural KCFP Climate Resilience Fellowship residential.
Charlotte Taylor, King's Fellow
Charlotte Taylor is a King's Fellow in the Climate Resilience Fellowship cohort within the King's Commonwealth Fellowship Programme.
Travelling from Fiji to Kingston, Jamaica, to attend the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) Climate Resilience Fellowship Residential was more than a journey across the globe; it was an opportunity to see climate resilience through an entirely new lens. Representing Fiji alongside fellow Pacific participants was both a privilege and a reminder that while Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are separated by oceans, many of the climate challenges we face are remarkably similar.
I applied for the Climate Resilience Fellowship because I wanted to strengthen my ability to contribute meaningfully to climate resilience in the Pacific. As a Lecturer at The University of the South Pacific, my research focuses on improving access to climate finance for women working in Fiji’s agricultural sector. I knew that technical knowledge alone would not be enough. I wanted to learn from experts and peers across the Commonwealth, broaden my perspective, and develop practical approaches that could strengthen both my research and my teaching.
The residential exceeded every expectation.
What stood out most was not simply the knowledge shared by facilitators, but the way the programme challenged us to think differently. Rather than viewing climate issues as isolated problems requiring individual solutions, we were encouraged to understand them as interconnected systems shaped by institutions, communities, policies, behaviours, and finance. This shift in perspective was transformative.
One of the most valuable lessons for me was systems thinking. It challenged me to move beyond asking, “what is the problem?” to asking, “why does this problem continue to exist?”. That seemingly simple shift has already influenced how I approach my research. Instead of viewing barriers such as financial literacy, collateral requirements, and institutional policies independently, I now see how they reinforce one another, creating cycles that either enable or restrict access to climate finance.
Equally inspiring was learning alongside Fellows from across the Commonwealth. Each participant brought experiences from different cultural, political, and environmental contexts, yet there was a shared commitment to building more resilient communities. Conversations during workshops, meals, and informal networking became some of the most valuable learning moments of the week. They reminded me that innovation often comes from listening to perspectives that differ from our own.
Although I have attended professional workshops before, this residential felt different because it fostered a genuine community of practice. Rather than simply attending presentations, we worked collaboratively, challenged one another’s thinking, and reflected openly on the complexities of climate resilience. These interactions made the learning more practical, more relevant, and far more memorable.
One surprise was discovering how applicable systems thinking is beyond climate research. I found myself reflecting on how these approaches could improve my teaching, support policy discussions, and encourage students to think critically about complex societal challenges. The Fellowship reinforced that resilience is not built by one discipline or one institution alone, it is strengthened through collaboration across sectors, communities, and countries.
When I return to Fiji, the first thing I will do differently is integrate systems thinking into both my research and my classroom. I want my students to move beyond seeing climate change as a series of disconnected issues and instead understand the relationships that shape real-world challenges. I also hope to apply these insights to my research on climate finance, ensuring that proposed solutions address underlying systemic barriers rather than only their symptoms.
The Fellowship has reaffirmed why international collaboration matters. As Pacific Islanders, our voices are essential in global climate conversations, not because we have all the answers, but because our lived experiences offer valuable insights into resilience, adaptation, and community-led solutions.
I leave Jamaica not only with new knowledge but also with renewed confidence, meaningful friendships across the Commonwealth, and a stronger sense of purpose. But more importantly, I leave with a responsibility. The insights gained through this Fellowship must extend beyond reflection; they must translate into action. Whether in the classroom, through research, or in policy engagement, I am committed to applying systems thinking to challenge existing barriers and contribute to more inclusive climate solutions.
If resilience is built through connection, then the next step is clear: we must continue to learn from one another, collaborate across regions, and ensure that our approaches address not just the symptoms of climate change, but the systems that sustain them. Only then can we move towards truly resilient futures for our communities.
Learn more about the King's Commonwealth Fellowship Programme.