Pele is a Human Ecologist and qualitative researcher working at the intersection between conservation, agriculture, natural resource management, and human systems. Her recent research has focused on the relational context of human-nonhuman coexistence and environmental governance. 

Pele completed a BA at ANU, with an Honours project in Human Ecology looking at farmer decision-making around change. Pele then worked in a variety of interdisciplinary roles across different sectors - from a stint as a Project Manager for the Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, to the Operations and Education Caretaker for a non-profit wolf sanctuary and nature centre in Colorado, USA.

Her PhD project built from these experiences, and examined human-nonhuman relationships, coexistence, and moral responsibility. Her research gathered data at the wolf sanctuary, Mission: Wolf, and connected the experiences of visitors and volunteers at the santuary to broader theory in carnivore conservation, environmental ethics, and environmental philosophy. Pele's thesis, titled Don't Scare The Wolves: Towards response-able human-nonhuman coexistence, explores the role of 'stories we tell stories with' in framing biopolitical decision-making, and discusses relationality as an alternative to categorical moral frameworks.

Post-PhD, Pele is now turning her attention to other aspects of human-nonhuman relationships and environmental governance. She is currently assisting A/Prof Sarah Clement on her DECRA-funded project Fire and Transformation: Building capacity for managing Australian Bushfires, and convening the Fenner School's Honours  and Masters (Adv) Research Skills coursework.