Emma Lee

Professor Emma Lee OAM is a trawlwulwuy woman from tebrakunna country, currently serving as a Professorial Research Fellow at Federation University's National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice since March 2023. She holds a PhD in Regional Development from the University of Tasmania, complemented by a BA (Hons) in Biological Anthropology and a Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Research Leadership.

Her research focuses on Indigenous methodologies applied to land/sea management, democracy, tourism, fisheries, and regional development. Key expertise areas include Indigenous rights advocacy, policy governance, and ocean sustainability. She advises federal/state governments, UN bodies, and organizations like Greening Australia and Future Earth Australia.

Notable achievements include founding the world's first Indigenous not-for-profit seafood enterprise (Tasmanian Aboriginal Seafoods) and being the first Indigenous Australian editor of IUCN conservation guidelines. Her work bridges research with practical impacts, such as shaping the National Voice Co-Design Framework and advancing climate adaptation strategies.

• Awards: OAM (2025), William Jonas Award (2020), ASA Best Paper Award (2019), Pew Marine Conservation Fellowship (2023)
• Grants: $733k ARC Linkage Project (2023-25), Federation University ECR Grant (2024)
• Labs/Teams: Land and Sea Aboriginal Corporation Tasmania, UN Expert Group on Indigenous Fisheries