AELA’s Team

Dr Michelle Maloney has a Bachelor of Arts and Law (Hons) from the Australian National University and a PhD in Law from Griffith University. As Co-Founder and National Convenor of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance, Michelle manages the strategic direction and governance of AELA, including the extensive partnerships and networks that AELA has with the legal, academic, indigenous and environmental advocacy communities. Michelle also designs and manages AELA programs and events, including AELA's Rights of Nature Tribunals, and coordinates the work of more than 20 fantastic multi-disciplinary professional and student volunteers around Australia.Michelle is the Co-Founder and Director of the New Economy Network Australia (NENA); Senior Adjunct Fellow, Law Futures Centre, Griffith University; the Australian representative on the Executive Committee of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN);  and a member of the Steering Group the Ecological Law and Governance Association (ELGA) . Michelle lives in Brisbane, (Queensland) with her husband, daughter and Raz the Wonderdog.

Read Michelle's profile and publications.

James Lee has a background in art, music (BMus) and film studies (GradDip Film & TV) and holds a Master of Environmental Management (MEM) from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). James has a strong interest in interdisciplinary approaches to addressing ecological challenges and exploring the role that cultural practices can play in informing and supporting Earth-centred governance.James manages a range of AELA programs, including ecological governance/GreenPrints, AELA Education and selected Earth Arts projects. James also oversees AELA's operational systems, including membership, event coordination, communications, and website development across several AELA programs.

Annabelle Nilsson (BA/LLB(Hons)) is passionate about challenging unsustainable consumption to reduce its destructive effects on our environment and health.

Annabelle leads the planned obsolescence law reform and community engagement campaigns of AELA's Challenging Consumption Program. Annabelle has spoken at numerous conferences about the opportunities within Australia's legal system to prioritise the manufacture, distribution and sale of products with optimal lifetimes.

In addition to working with AELA, Annabelle also works as a lawyer advising on the co-management of environmentally protected land and sea areas by Aboriginal and government parties. Her legal experience includes planning, environment, native title and property law within private practice, the Commonwealth government and international and domestic NGOs.

Annabelle currently resides in Sydney.

Dr Edward Morgan PhD (Natural Resource Management) (GU), MSc (Environmental Science), MSci (Chemistry). Edward is a Research Fellow at Griffith University and volunteers to support AELA's GreenPrints program and other projects that require expertise bridging the natural and social sciences. Edward's research interests include the interaction between science and society for sustainability; governance and planning for water sensitive cities and adapting to climate change; environmental justice and the role of communities in transforming governance.

Luke Day has been working in the web development and information technology areas for over seven years and has also worked for a number of volunteer and non-profit organisations over the last fifteen years. He has worked on a wide range of projects ranging from South Pacific aid initiatives, student government planning and online international research tools and applications, but has always had a passion for protecting the environment and wild places since his childhood days growing up the Glasshouse Mountains. Luke currently assists AELA with day-to-day web content management and publication tasks as well as coordinating on overall web design and web and technology strategy for the future.

Patricia Sauer has 20 years' experience in book keeping, business management, human resources and office administration.
Patricia is an invaluable member of the AELA team and provides support to a range of AELA's programs.