Zana Monaghan

Zana is an emerging environmental and ocean advocate, passionate about bridging law and science to protect people and the planet.

She received the Sarah Flynne Memorial Scholarship at the Environmental Defenders Office in Sydney (Jan to Feb 2026), where she contributes to public interest environmental litigation and law reform.

Her work is informed by hands-on ocean conservation experience, including field research in Mozambique and volunteering with ocean conservation initiatives in Aotearoa New Zealand. Alongside her environmental work, Zana has experience in both global commercial law firms and local community law centres, giving her insight into large-scale legal disputes as well as community-level access to justice.

She is drawn to UNESCO by a belief that meaningful and lasting change requires interdisciplinary approaches grounded in local and Indigenous knowledge. Her work in conservation has reinforced her understanding that community-led approaches are essential to addressing environmental and social challenges together. She is particularly passionate about supporting grassroots solutions to the complex challenges facing people and the planet today.

Zana holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Science, with her honours dissertation focused on regulating offshore renewable energy in Aotearoa New Zealand.