AELA's Core Team
Dr Michelle Maloney
Co-Founder and National Convenor
Dr Michelle Maloney (BA/LLB(Hons, PhD) manages the strategic direction and governance of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA), including the extensive partnerships and networks AELA has with the legal, academic, indigenous and environmental advocacy communities. Michelle designs and manages AELA programs and events, and coordinates the work of staff, volunteers and collaborative networks. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts (political science and history) and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the Australian National University, and an PhD in environmental regulation, from the Griffith Law Futures Centre.
Michelle is also the Co-Founder and Director of the New Economy Network Australia (NENA); Co-Founder and Director of Future Dreaming Australia; Adjunct Fellow, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and a member of the Advisory Council, Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature.
Michelle lives near Brisbane, Australia with her family and Ziggy the Wonderdog.
To read more about Michelle's work, including her affiliations, publications, podcasts and interviews, please visit her personal website here (michellemaloney.au)
James Lee
AELA Operations and Governance
James Lee holds a Master of Environmental Management (MEM) from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and has a background in art, music (BMus) and film studies (GradDip Film & TV). James has expertise in interdisciplinary approaches to addressing ecological challenges and his work explores the role that cultural practices can play in informing and supporting Earth-centred governance. James provides technical and geospatial mapping support to the Greenprints program, and also oversees AELA's operational systems.
Sarah Bashforth
Administration Manager
Sarah has more than a decade of experience providing high level administrative support to organisations, including legal and other businesses. Sarah manages AELA's administrative and events schedule, and supports AELA's National Convenor, staff and volunteers. She is passionate about protecting the environment and believes strongly in earth-centred governance. Sarah, originally from Brisbane, now calls Bundaberg home and is a keen volunteer with her local Landcare group. She is very proud to be a part of the AELA team.
AELA's 2025 INTERNS
Alejandro Patricio Véliz Zúñiga
AELA Intern, Rights of Nature and decolonizing Western approaches to environmental law
Alejandro Patricio Véliz Zúñiga is a Chilean lawyer with a strong passion for protecting our planet and its resources. He is currently nearing the completion of his Masters in Environmental Law at Universitat Rovira i Virgili.
A sports enthusiast, avid traveller, and a lifelong learner, he is carrying out his Masters Internship with AELA to learn more about Rights of Nature and how to decolonize Western approaches to environmental law.
Kinaura Maisha Sugiarto
AELA Intern, Local economies in South-East Queensland
Kinaura Maisha Sugiarto is is a final-year student pursuing a double degree in Economics at Universitas Indonesia and in Economics and Public Policy at the University of Queensland. With a keen interest in macroeconomics and public policy, she enjoys writing and conducting research to gain new perspectives into how economics can address real-world challenges.
She is excited to join AELA as an intern and explore how we can understand and transform the relationship between economics and environmental issues.
Phoebe Hill-Douglas
AELA Intern
Phoebe Hill Douglas is a fourth-year Justice and Psychology student at QUT. She is passionate about policy reform, intersectional justice, and mental health-informed governance.
She enjoys researching and developing innovative solutions and believes effective governance should integrate psychological insights, cultural perspectives, and sustainability. She is excited to contribute to AELA’s work in ecological and social justice.
