Overview
Background
Emma is a Koori Aboriginal woman from the Wiradjuri Nation in New South Wales through her mother and grandparents, and Middle‑Eastern Jewish Australian on her father’s side. Born in Muloobinba (Newcastle, New South Wales), she grew up in Winnam (Wynnum) on Quandamooka Country (Moreton Bay).
Emma has a professional background in leadership, executive management, organisational change and Indigenous engagement. Her research, grounded in Indigenous methodologies, focuses on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment, examining State Government strategies, programs, policies and legislation related to the targeted recruitment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Availability
- Mrs Emma Olssen is:
- Not available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Business Management, Federation University Australia
Research interests
-
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Inclusion
As part of my PhD, I have developed a framework and model for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment. I want to work with organisations how to use and apply the model and framework for inclusive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment.
Research impacts
Emma's research seeks to influence government reform around legislative and policy changes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's recruitment practices, specifically around assumptions of targeted recruitment. Further insight intents to challenge the status quo and directly improve initiatives targeted at closing the gap on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage in Education and Employment.
Works
Search Professor Emma Olssen’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Book Chapter
Elevating Indigenous leadership and employment futures within Australia
Leroy-Dyer, Sharlene and Olssen, Emma (2026). Elevating Indigenous leadership and employment futures within Australia. The Palgrave encyclopedia of leadership and organizational change. (pp. 1-15) Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-51650-4_269-1
2026
Journal Article
Identified positions in Queensland: a discussion on purpose, practice, and possibilities
Olssen, Emma (2026). Identified positions in Queensland: a discussion on purpose, practice, and possibilities. The International Journal of Indigenous Business, 1 (1), 116-120. doi: 10.64222/jrcx4635
2023
Other Outputs
Yes/No 2023 Referendum: Some things to consider
Olssen, Emma (2023, 10 06). Yes/No 2023 Referendum: Some things to consider IndigenousX
2022
Journal Article
Ready to Write
Fredericks, Bronwyn, Martin, Kathryn, Warner, Brian, Perkins, Ren, Combo, Troy, McConochie, Emily, Stajic, Janet, Thomson, Amy, Holland, Lorelle, Olssen, Emma, Thompson, Kate, Broderick, Trudi, Gilbert, Stephanie, Murphy, Lyndon, Lee, Natasha, Beetson, Susan, Fraser, Jed, Allan, Hannah and Bunda, Tracey (2022). Ready to Write. Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues, 25 (3-4), 1-10.
2021
Conference Publication
Online Corroboree in Covid-19: the 'song and dance' of being an Indigenous researcher
Madsen, Beth, Williams, Llew, Rom, Mitch, Perkins, Ren, Olssen, Emma, Simpson, Annette and Torepe, Toni (2021). Online Corroboree in Covid-19: the 'song and dance' of being an Indigenous researcher. 2021 Postgraduate Research Community Online Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 18 September 2021.
2021
Journal Article
Online Corroboree in Covid-19: the 'song and dance' of being an Indigenous researcher
Madsen, Beth, Williams, Llewellyn, Rom, Mitchell, Perkins, Ren, Purcell, Sasha, Olssen, Emma, Simpson, Annette, Torepe, Toni and Shay, Marnee (2021). Online Corroboree in Covid-19: the 'song and dance' of being an Indigenous researcher. Journal of Global Indigeneity, 5 (1), 1-11. doi: 10.54760/001c.19439
2019
Conference Publication
IN-DIGI-TAL (ent): Maintaining Excellence in Indigenous Student Support and Engagement in a COVID World Discussion Paper 1:2020
Baker-Andresen, Danay, Wood, Valeska and Olssen, Emma (2019). IN-DIGI-TAL (ent): Maintaining Excellence in Indigenous Student Support and Engagement in a COVID World Discussion Paper 1:2020. Australian & New Zealand Student Service Association, Otago, New Zealand, 8 - 11 December 2019.
Media
Enquiries
Contact Mrs Emma Olssen directly for media enquiries about:
- Aboriginal Higher Education
- Inclusion in employment
- Indigenous employment
- Reconciliation Action Plans
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