Meet Joshua Cherney | 2026 Deakin Field Readiness Scholarship — UNBC

About Joshua

Joshua Cherney is a first-year M.Sc. student in Natural Resource and Environmental Studies at the University of Northern British Columbia. He brings diverse field experience, including undergraduate research in bat ecology and professional work in environmental consulting near Fort McMurray.

His current graduate research focuses on wood-dwelling and wood-degrading insect biodiversity within controlled silvicultural trials designed to evaluate reforestation strategies under climate change. Joshua is a thoughtful and driven researcher whose work aims to improve ecosystem services, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable forest management practices.

About the Deakin Field Readiness Scholarship

The Deakin Field Readiness Scholarship supports students enrolled in field-based academic programs at Canadian universities. Each recipient receives $1,000 in cash and $500 in professional field equipment from Deakin Industries. Recipients are faculty-nominated based on academic potential, enthusiasm for fieldwork, and financial need.
Graduate research in the natural sciences often involves months of fieldwork in remote locations. The financial pressures on graduate students are well documented, and the cost of proper field equipment can be a real barrier. This scholarship helps ensure that students like Joshua can focus on their research instead of worrying about whether they can afford the gear they need.

For Universities

We’re expanding the Field Readiness Scholarship to more Canadian universities with field-based programs in forestry, geology, environmental science, and related disciplines. If your school would like to join the program, contact Valerie at info@deakin.com.

Congratulations, Joshua. Your research matters, and we’re glad to support it

Learn more about the Deakin Field Readiness Scholarship at deakin.com/pages/scholarships.

Students: sign up for the Deakin 10% educational discount at deakin.com.