Emma Church

Growing up on the east coast of Australia, Emma has always found the ocean to be a place of inspiration and respite. Experiencing these marine environments as a surfer and diver have shaped her values and career choices. As an environmental social scientist, Emma has a breadth of experience working across renewable energy, integrated water management and biodiversity conservation. She enjoys working collaboratively with industry, government and communities using applied research to tackle sustainability and conservation challenges. Emma has been involved in several science communication and education programs; she teaches marine science while sailing and supports ocean based outward-bound style adventures for kids of all ages.

Emma is currently undertaking a PhD; her research explores how behavioural drivers and social contexts enable people to act for nature. She recently completed an internship with Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist reporting on the State of Science in Queensland. In the summer of 2021-22, Emma worked with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Institut polaire français Paul-Émile Victor (IPEV) monitoring the Southern Ocean in Antarctica.