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); Co-Founder and Director of Future Dreaming Australia; 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.

Meaghan manages AELA’s Law and Regulation Team, which works to create and advocate for Earth centred law and regulation, and includes the work carried out by the Australian Centre for the Rights of Nature (rightsofnature.org.au) and the Australian People’s Tribunal for Community and Nature’s Rights (tribunal.org.au) . Meaghan also supports the delivery of AELA’s education program. Meaghan has a multidisciplinary background across the public, private and non-government sectors. She is skilled in regulatory strategy, policy, practice, program delivery and complex issues management with over ten years’ experience in the sustainability, environment and corporate social responsibility portfolios. Meaghan is a Director of the New Economy Network Australia (NENA) and Convenor of the NENA Newcastle, Hunter & Central Coast Hub. Meaghan is completing a Master of Government Law & Regulation from Monash University and holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Environment Policy, Governance and Communication from Melbourne University, and Bachelor of Commerce from James Cook University. Meaghan lives in Lake Macquarie, NSW and loves connecting with nature, family and friends.

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.

Liz 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. She 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 her childhood days growing up the Glasshouse Mountains. Liz currently assists AELA with day-to-day web content management for the AELA and NENA websites, and publication tasks as well as coordinating on overall web design and web and technology strategy for the future.

Leeanne has more than 17 years' experience in policy analysis, regulations and compliance, sustainability and financial reporting in the energy industry.  Leeanne holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Newcastle, Master of Environmental Law from the University of Sydney and is CPA qualified.