Emma Shortis

Emma Shortis is a PhD Candidate in History at The University of Melbourne. Her thesis centers on the question of how major shifts in international environmental politics are achieved. Specifically, her research tackles a case study of great significance in the history of environmental protection: the abandonment of a nearly completed international agreement that would have allowed mining in the Antarctic, in favor of a new agreement guaranteeing the comprehensive environmental protection of the entire continent. In a climate in which the outcomes of international environmental negotiations are of increasing complexity and significance, this research aims to generate greater understanding of the construction of successful environmental outcomes. Emma is also a Sessional Lecturer at The University of Melbourne, teaching over 100 students the history of the United States in the world. She is often asked to provide media commentary on historical connections to current events in the United States, tailored for an Australian audience. Emma holds a Master’s Degree in International and European Studies from Monash University, and a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Melbourne.

Policy Brief: “What Past Battles Can Teach Today's Activists Fighting Environmental Catastrophes”