Tribute messages

I was so pleased to have the opportunity to work with Emma as a member of the University Council and in my capacity as Deputy Chancellor. Emma brought a freshness, a great feeling of energy and optimism to the University and her inclusive and confident style was to bring people in rather than lock them out. Her first address to the Leadership Conference in February 2025 drew on her own research area, talking about the interdependence of ecosystems. This is what she brought to the culture and the thinking of the University Community, and her impact was so great in such a short time. My thoughts and best wishes are with the family and friends. I cannot imagine how acutely you must be feeling her loss. It is no comfort, but I want you to know I feel privileged to have a short time to get to work with Emma, to experience her energy and her intellect, and to see her impact. Thank you to her for all that she gave in such a short time.

Dr Helen Szoke AO Dep Chancellor

I had a brief but memorable encounter with Emma during Open Day at the Southbank Campus while I was volunteering at one of the entrances. I met her as she arrived, and although we were very aware of who she was, Emma warmly introduced herself to us with a smile and handshake, as if we did not already know her role. It was a small and seemingly casual gesture, but it left a lasting impression. It reflected the genuine kindness, humility and respect she showed to others, qualities that spoke to her character and to the type of leader she was, and would have continued to be for the university. Her loss is deeply felt, and it is profoundly sad that we will not see the changes she would have made or the impact she would have continued to have. She will be remembered with great respect.

Daniel Ho

We are so deeply sad on the passing of Emma Johnston. In the short time she was VC at Melbourne she brought such wonderful optimism and energy to the role. Her vision and clarity as to what was important, and her ability to work collegially and always with curiosity will be so missed. I still remember her enthusiasm when she visited our Faculty of Arts on one of her first Faculty visits at the University of Melbourne. She was so deeply engaged and so interested in everyone she met as part of that visit, academic and professional staff, on what they were working on, on how they worked with our students, and on what came next. (I still remember our hard hats in the now Media Production Studio, and her enthusiasm in the Object Based Learning labs, as well as her deep interest in our early career academics she met, and her openness with our leadership team). She was a wonderful leader and individual, who cared deeply about this place. Our thoughts are with her family now and ongoing.

Professor Jennifer Balint, Dean of the Faculty of Arts

Professor Emma Johnston's loss has been an unbelievable shock to all that got to meet with her, and engage in her vision for the University’s future. Although she served in her role for less than a year, she created such positive support for creating better communication and collaboration between doctrines, faculties, institutions, and community groups. The excitement that was generated by Emma’s leadership should not be forgotten, and I hope will continue to inspire meaningful progress. I admired her professionalism, her astuteness and articulation of her expectations for the University. And personally - at the simple heart of it, from our handful of interactions this past year I thought she was a lovely, kind, thoughtful and engaging person who I honestly looked forward to getting to know better over the coming years. Sending my deepest condolences to her grieving family, friends and colleagues.

Amy Tennent

On the two occasions I met Emma personally during her tenure as Vice Chancellor I was impressed by her curiosity about the University's history. This was particularly so as the University grappled with the complexities of truth telling, and the troubling revelations of the Dhoombak Goobgoowana books. To have arrived at the University in the midst of this process, notwithstanding having had a long personal association, can only have been challenging. I was pleased to work with Emma to find a way through. I found Emma to be a warm and affirming leader and I will miss her, as will the University.

Associate Professor James Waghorne, University Historian

Your untimely passing has cast a dark shadow but when I think of you it is light that rises first. I had the privilege of working closely with you as a Go8 VC and Go8 DVCR Chair. Those roles connected us professionally, but it was our time travelling together through Europe that showed me the full measure of you: sharp, curious, wickedly funny, and endlessly good company. I am especially grateful that we recorded a podcast together last year. You reflected on so many things - but what struck me most was how lovingly you spoke about your early life. How you learned to swim before you could walk, and that your two amazing parents encouraged every curious question you ever had about how the world. How you swam, snorkeled, surfed and sailed the bay your whole life. That image has stayed with me - a life lived in motion, curiosity and joy. May you now be swimming, snorkeling, and sailing for eternity. With deepest respect. Vicki Thomson

Vicki Thomson, CEO, Group of Eight

Emma was an inspiration to me and so many others in the scientific community. As my PhD Supervisor, Emma knew just how to support me, and I could see that she changed her management style to suit the needs of different team members in our lab. This is a rare skill, and highlights Emma's extraordinary capabilities as a scientist, leader and communicator. As I worked with her subsequently on the State of Environment report, and in setting up the Marine Ecology Futures lab at the University of Sydney, Emma continued to demonstrate a commitment to scientific rigour whilst always having time for those around her. I wish to express my deep condolences for Emma's family, friends and colleagues for the enormous loss of her passing.

John Turnbull

Seeing Emma’s enthusiasm and energy, and hearing of her excellent reputation from her previous roles, I was really looking forward to working with Emma in the international engagement space. Emma’s leadership, warmth, and vision were inspiring, and her passing is a huge loss on so many levels. My heartfelt condolences go out to Emma’s family and loved ones.

Miriam Cahir

I am still reeling from the loss of such a unique person, a wonderful scientist, expert communicator, and true friend. I served on many committees with Emma and valued her input and enjoyed many social interactions. She shared wonderful Facebook posts of marine scenery and her family adventures that were indicative of a full and very happy life. It is so cruel that all this had to end so prematurely when she had so much more to give. I especially feel for her family who suffer now but have so many fond memories. Graeme Batley

Dr Graeme Batley AM

I am very sad to hear of the passing of Emma. Our short time working together was both promising and inspiring. She brought clarity and determination to our interactions, and her loss has been deeply felt. My condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues

Joe West

I have known Emma since she came to our CSIRO Sydney lab as a young post doc full of enthusiasm for her marine research. Over many decades we have shared research, friendship and a passion for marine science. Emma was an exceptional communicator and networker. It was wonderful to watch her meteoric rise through academic positions -Pro Vice Chancellor, Dean of Science, DVC Research and finally VC at prestigious Australian Universities. Emma was an amazing scientist and leader - an absolute credit to our field of ecotoxicology. Sadly, she left us at the height of her career and she will be sorely missed.

Jenny Stauber

When I was Australia’s Chief Scientist, I shared the platform with Emma from time to time and concluded that Emma’s standout superpower was communication. Communicating as a television presenter to lay audiences, communicating through speeches and roundtables as an acknowledged expert, communicating to politicians in federal and state parliaments, and communicating to staff and students at the University of Melbourne and in her prior institutional roles. Emma was always knowledgeable, thoughtful and vivacious in her connection to her audiences and peers. The university sector has lost a leader who had much more to give at the highest levels. I pay my respects to all that Emma achieved.

Alan Finkel