Emily is interested in whether building social equity into iconic species conservation programs improves their ecological and social success. During her PhD, Emily is investigating whether orangutan conservation projects are more effective if they consider the needs and perspectives of local people.

This involves an examination of the interplay between the ecological success of orangutan conservation projects, and various social variables, including human wellbeing benefits, community perceptions and community engagement in conservation projects. Emily's PhD work is supported by a team of supervisors including Prof Hugh Possingham (UQ), Dr Angela Dean (QUT), Dr Erik Meijaard (Borneo Futures), Dr Truly Santika (University of Greenwich) and Prof Kerrie Wilson (QUT). Following a BSc in Ecology, Emily completed her honours project at UQ. Her project explored whether nature experiences are associated with conservation behaviour and if so, the pathways through which this might operate. After her honours, Emily worked with the United Nations Great Apes Survival Partnership and the United Nations Wildlife Unit in Nairobi, where she contributed to a host of conservation projects.