The four-year scholarship, worth about $100,000 a year, will enable Mr Gawith (24) to undertake research into the impact that changes in water availability caused by climate change will have on people's livelihoods.
''It's really exciting. It allows me to focus on the research, as opposed to trying to focus on the bank balance,'' he said.
Without the scholarship, he could not have afforded to study at the English university. The likely human impact of changed water availability was one of the most important topics involving climate change.
''That's why I chose to look at it. Hopefully, there's positive work to be done.''
Wellington-born Mr Gawith has studied at Otago since 2008, gaining a BSc (hons) in geography and also graduating with an MA in August. His Cambridge studies, which will begin next October, will build on his earlier work, his honours dissertation having focused on climate change and hydrological modelling in Central Otago.
His master's thesis examined the social and economic vulnerability of Nepalese Himalayan communities to changes in water availability under climate change.
He is at present working for Landcare Research in Auckland, on a cost-benefit analysis of various climate change adaptation measures in Fiji.
Established in 2003, and awarded to up to three New Zealand graduate students each year, Woolf Fisher Scholarships recognise ''outstanding academic ability'' as well as other qualities, including integrity and leadership.
The two other 2014 Woolf Fisher recipients were Alex Kendall and Jane Leung, both of Auckland University.
