Emma Wardle was born in the United Kingdom but grew up in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

She has an academic background in the sciences, completing a Bachelor of Biomedical Science majoring in Molecular Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry.

Upon graduating, Emma made the leap into a policy career, drawn in by an interest in the role of governments in shaping scientific priorities and using science to achieve outcomes for society.

Emma's work for New Zealand's central government has included policy interventions to grow investment in research and development and designing an emissions pricing policy for agricultural emissions.

Her key policy interests include evidence-based policy, and how climate and ecological crises can be solved through effective policy-making.