Author Identifier
Date of Award
2026
Keywords
food security, systems change, rural, regional, remote, barriers, enablers
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Master of Medical and Health Science by Research
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
First Supervisor
Stephanie Godrich 
0000-0003-3067-8253
Second Supervisor
Amanda Devine 0000-0001-6978-6249
Third Supervisor
Sarah Goodwin 0009-0000-4786-9705
Fourth Supervisor
Melissa Stoneham 0000-0001-8745-2664
Abstract
Introduction: Food security refers to reliable physical, social and economic access to adequate food for all people at all times. In Australia, research on services designed to support food security has predominantly focused on metropolitan emergency food relief, resulting in limited evidence about initiatives operating in rural, regional, and remote (RRR) areas such as those in Western Australia. People living in RRR communities, and the initiatives that support them, experience distinct geographical factors that shape food security outcomes. The paucity of research exploring RRR contexts limits understanding of the specific barriers and enablers these services encounter and, consequently, how to strengthen their efforts. As food security is a complex, ‘wicked’ problem, a systems approach is required to understand the initiatives operating in RRR areas.
The Food Community project applied a Systemic Innovation Lab approach to identify, map, evaluate and strengthen government and community-led food security initiatives in RRR Western Australia to support systems change. Using data from the Food Community project, this thesis examines RRR Western Australian food security initiative leaders’ perceptions, regarding barriers and enablers of systems change contributions.
Methods: A qualitative research design was used. Data collection occurred in two stages. First, semi structured baseline interviews (n=94) were conducted with 101 initiative leaders, providing data for 148 initiatives, and explored operational barriers to initiatives demonstrating systems change characteristics in practice. Action plans (n=27) were then co-designed with 27 initiative leaders to identify practical actions they could integrate into their work to strengthen their contribution to systems change. Six months later, follow-up interviews (n=10) were conducted with 10 initiative leaders of the 27 who had developed an action plan for their initiative (37% response rate) to explore barriers and enablers to implementing their action plans. Interview data were analysed thematically using QSR NVivo 13, and action plans were analysed using content analysis.
Results: Across both interview stages, initiative leaders consistently identified limited engagement with government representatives, insufficient advocacy skills, and a lack of locally relevant food security data as key barriers. Capacity, funding, and partnerships emerged as both barriers and enablers. Baseline interview findings identified that initiative leaders were least likely to undertake actions related to government-community interaction. Barriers to strategic engagement with government representatives included limited opportunities for contact, perceived lack of government interest, and uncertainty around undertaking advocacy. Analysis of six-month follow-up interviews identified barriers to action plan implementation including time and capacity limitations, resource constraints and insufficient funding. Enablers included existing collaborations, networks, and access to food security resources and projects.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for stronger government-community collaboration, enhanced advocacy capacity, and improved access to local food security data. Supporting initiative leaders to develop advocacy skills, engage strategically with government, and formalise partnerships could strengthen systems change efforts. This thesis identified research, policy and practice recommendations to address key barriers and leverage existing enablers, including developing practical toolkits, improving food security surveillance systems, and establishing longer-term funding arrangements. By identifying systemic constraints and opportunities, this thesis argues for improved government-community interaction, strengthened advocacy support and accessible local data.
Access Note
Access to this thesis is embargoed until 10th October 2028
Recommended Citation
Chiera, I. T. (2026). Barriers and enablers of food security systems change: Perspectives from government and community-led food security initiatives in rural, regional and remote Western Australia. Edith Cowan University. https://doi.org/10.25958/9tas-zh34