RE-FRESH Next Generation member Sela Fusi left her native Tonga with ‘deeply personal’ motivation to undertake a PhD focusing on ‘Identifying opportunities to improve retail food environments and address diet-related non-communicable diseases in Tonga’.
She expects to submit her thesis in July, exactly three years since she began, and is set to return to her homeland to apply her new skills and knowledge.
Sela took a moment to share the story behind her PhD…
How did you end up ‘here’ – undertaking a PhD?
My journey toward this PhD is deeply personal. My grandparents and my mother suffered various types of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) due to unhealthy diets. This personal experience made the impact of NCDs painfully real for me. While I always wanted to pursue a PhD, I couldn’t afford it initially, so I returned to Tonga from Brisbane after completing my Master’s degree in 2017 and worked with the World Health Organization. In that role, I supported the Ministry of Health to develop a national emergency medical team and became more aware of the urgent need to prevent NCDs. A year later, I applied for the Australia Awards Scholarship — mostly to gain experience with the application process, not expecting to be selected. When I was awarded the scholarship, I was grateful and knew instantly that the stars had aligned. I jumped at the opportunity, knowing it would help me merge my lived experience and professional knowledge to meaningfully contribute to addressing NCDs in Tonga.
Your PhD has been supervised by Prof. Adrian Cameron, Prof. Kathryn Backholer, Dr Jennifer Browne and A/Prof. Megan Ferguson and included several studies, can you tell us a little about what they involved?
I conducted four interconnected studies. Study 1 was a systematic scoping review of evidence on the food environment in the Pacific region. This was to better understand the current evidence on food environments and the interventions that have been implemented to improve them in the Pacific region. To identify an opportunity for policy change in the retail food environment, Study 2 then assessed the retail food environment in Tonga, to gain a better understanding of its healthiness in terms of availability and marketing of healthy compared to less healthy foods. In study 3, qualitative interviews were conducted with Tongan parents to see how they are using the retail food environment and to explore the factors that they perceived to influence their food purchasing decisions. An understanding of this can support the development and prioritisation of policies by addressing the drivers of unhealthy food purchases. Study four involved qualitative interviews with policymakers to explore the factors that are influencing the development of food retail policies. This study aimed to inform future policy development to improve the retail food environment in Tonga.
You’re close to submitting your PhD thesis, what’s next for you?
I’m looking forward to returning to Tonga and applying the knowledge and skills I have gained throughout my PhD. My goal is to contribute to improving the food environment in Tonga and supporting policy efforts to improve diets and reduce NCDs.
What’s been the toughest thing about doing your PhD?
Trying to juggle my research alongside my responsibilities to my family. I tend to invest myself fully in everything I do, so balancing the demands of a PhD with the rest of life’s commitments was a little challenging at times.
What have you enjoyed most about your PhD?
The most enjoyable part was the exploration of a topic I am truly passionate about. Also, the chance to develop critical thinking and research skills while working closely with an amazing supervisory team and peers was really rewarding.
What did you learn most from your supervisors?
What I’ve learned most from my supervisors is research skills, how to think critically, how to navigate the research process with integrity and how to use my findings in ways that can create impact. They also helped me understand the broader context of my work, how research connects with policy, practice, and people’s lives. They’ve also shown me how to slow down and really engage with ideas, to question, reflect, and dig deeper. What I’ve learned from my supervisors goes far beyond research skills or academic knowledge. They saw potential in me and that kind of belief leaves a lasting impact. Their mentorship has profoundly improved my research skills and influenced both my professional development and my personal growth.
What did you learn from studying at this level, and as a student from another country?
The journey can feel isolating at times, especially being far from home, but it also teaches you to lean into your purpose and reach out when you need support. To anyone considering this path, especially those outside Australia, know that your voice, your story, and your perspective are incredibly valuable. Being in this program has given me the tools, the community, and the space to grow. If you feel called to this journey, don’t wait for the perfect moment, sometimes the moment finds you. Be open, be bold, and remember why you started.
Where do you see yourself – hopes/dreams – in 20 years from now?
In 20 years, I hope to be in the Pacific region, contributing meaningfully to strengthening health systems and policies, especially around the prevention of NCDs. I see myself creating opportunities for others like me to grow and lead in public health. I dream of helping to shape policies that are rooted in our cultural values, community strengths, and real lived experiences. I’d love to be part of a regional research hub that champions Pacific-led solutions, and to continue advocating for equity in health. Most of all, I hope to live a life of purpose — honouring the sacrifices of those who came before me and leaving something better for those who come after.
On a more personal level, can you share the most challenging part of moving to a new country?
One challenging part of moving to a new country is leaving behind the strong support system of family and friends I have in Tonga. However, I was previously here in Australia, but in Brisbane from 2011 to 2017 and I’m not entirely new to life in Australia. It was just a matter of adjusting to life in another state in Australia, but I’m grateful for the opportunity and I have enjoyed being in Melbourne.
Can you share the ‘strangest’ or ‘funniest’ experience of Australian life that you have encountered?
One of the funniest experiences I had was the first time I heard someone say “yeah, nah.” I was so confused, did they mean yes or no? It took me a while to understand that it actually means “no,” even though it starts with “yeah.” Aussie slang is full of these little twists, and I’m still learning! Now I catch myself saying it too sometimes.
What will you miss most when you leave Deakin?
What I’ll miss most is the sense of community and support I have found here. Being surrounded by passionate researchers, mentors, and peers who challenge and inspire me every day has been incredibly enriching. I’ll also miss the campus life, those quiet study spots and thought-provoking seminars that spark new ideas. It’s a unique environment where learning and connection happen at every corner.
And when you leave Australia?
What I’ll miss most when I leave Australia is the food environment. Compared to Tonga, there are so many healthier options that are both accessible and affordable here in Australia. I have really come to appreciate being able to walk into almost any supermarket or café and find fresh, nutritious food choices. The quality of products here is also better, and often cheaper than what I’m used to back home. It’s made maintaining a healthier lifestyle much easier here in Australia.
Finally, can you share a list of publications that have come out of your PhD?
Fusi SKF, Gómez-Donoso C, Backholer K, Browne J, Ferguson M, Cameron AJ. ‘Food environments in the Pacific region and efforts to improve them: a scoping review’. Public Health Nutrition. 2024 Nov 26;28(1):e5.
Fusi, SKF, Crocetti, A, Cameron, AJ, Ferguson, M, Backholer, K, Browne, J. ‘Factors influencing parents’ food-purchasing decision in the Pacific: a qualitative study in Tonga’. BMC Public Health, 2025 June 5.
Do you have any links to other resources/projects you’ve worked on that you’d like to share?
I have a further two manuscripts I have submitted that are under review:
Study 2: ‘The availability, placement, price promotion, and marketing of healthy and unhealthy food in retail outlets in Tonga’
Study 4: ‘Food retail policy to prevent diet-related non-communicable diseases in Tonga: a qualitative study exploring the opportunities and challenges’
