Elissa is a political geographer and lecturer in Human Geography. Her research focuses on the social and political dimensions of climate change adaptation and disaster governance in Australia and the Pacific. 

In the Pacific context this work is currently focused on policy development for climate change adaptation and vulnerability in atoll states. Her PhD research focused on disaster governance in small island states. 

Within Australia, Elissa has 15 years of experience working with governments at state and national levels to provide research and advice on climate change adaptation, particularly with respect to sea level rise and coastal management. She is currently a CI on the National Environmental Science Program Climate Systems Hub project Enabling Best Practice Adaptation in Australia.