A trawlwulwuy woman of tebrakunna country, Dr Emma Lee is a key architect of ‘Reset the Relationship’ – a Tasmanian government strategy focused on the themes of recognition, reconciliation and real outcomes for Aboriginal communities in Tasmania.
‘Reset the Relationship’ includes constitutional recognition, a focus on Tasmanian Aboriginal history and culture in the school system, and joint land management arrangements between the government and Aboriginal communities.
An academic at Swinburne University of Technology, Emma’s research over the past 25 years has focused on Indigenous affairs, land and sea management, policy, and governance of Australian regulatory environments.
In 2017, Emma began a postdoctoral project to establish a market for cultural fisheries and food tourism in Tasmania. The aim is to promote Aboriginal economies, traditional knowledge and connections to marine environments.
Additionally, Emma advocates for Aboriginal communities as a sitting member of the Australian Government's National Co-Design Group. She works to develop models so that Indigenous voices can be heard in parliament.