Teagan Shields is a proud Arabanna descendant. She grew up in Newcastle (Awabakal country) and has worked in the public sector across 3 states. Teagan has worked in the community engagement and environmental sector for over 15 years including in NSW, QLD and WA as well as at an international level as in the UN. She is currently driving Indigenous-led environmental research projects at Curtin University under NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub.

Teagan believes the answer to the conservation issues facing Australia lies in the Indigenous-led use of Traditional Knowledge. In 2024, she completed a PhD with the University of Melbourne, investigating systemic changes to empower Indigenous land and sea managers in biodiversity conservation. Currently serving as Deputy Chair of the federal Minister for the Environment’s Indigenous Advisory Committee, Teagan also serves on several committees and boards, including the Biodiversity Council and the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance.

Teagan holds a Bachelor of Applied Science, Bachelor of Education, a Master of Marine Science and Management, and a PhD doctorate.