Vale Professor Emma Johnston AO FAA FTSE

We have come to hear today, 29^th December 2025, and with much sadness, of the passing of Professor Emma Johnston AO FAA FTSE.

In addition to her many extraordinary accomplishments and roles, most recently as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, Professor Johnston was a founding contributor to SAEF.

Professor Johnston was proud of this part of her research. She made crucial contributions to the initial ideas, establishment and research of SAEF, passing the research responsibility along only when she assumed her most senior academic leadership roles.

Emma touched many lives. And touched them through many different roles. She touched ours with deep scholarship, clarity and empathy. In every interaction with SAEF, she recognised our diversity of context and knowledge, place and time. She differentiated her approach, yet stayed a course of unfailing, artfully articulated, generous scholarship.

As Professor Johnston, we saw her stand up to the perils of a science-free government, comprehensively making the case for scholarship as a crucial pillar of our democracy.

As a colleague, we saw Emma unveil so much about how marine systems work, when disturbed by people and when in a more natural state.

And we saw her celebrate and promote the diversity essential for knowing about our world.

Emma inspired and educated all of us.

A tireless advocate for the value of scholarship in society, with a deep understanding of the history of knowledge and the ways we come by it, Emma contributed so many facets to the jewel that is our understanding of the world.

We will miss Emma’s knowledge, insights, eloquence, warmth and her influence.

Our deepest condolences to Professor Johnston’s family, friends and colleagues.