Research isn't enough - we need human stories to change people's minds and change the world
Starting her professional life in the legal profession, Bri Lee worked as a Judge’s Associate then went on to publish the best-selling and widely acclaimed book, 'Eggshell Skull' (2018), exposing the sexism and misogyny built into the Australian legal system.
She went on to publish peer-reviewed research about consent law, and was named a Fin Review ‘Woman of Influence’ for her role in getting the matter referred to the Queensland Law Reform Commission. She is now a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney Law School researching the way defamation is chilling public interest journalism.
Bri’s second major work, Who Gets to Be Smart (2021) was an examination of how power and privilege operate throughout Australia’s education system. Her investigations and essays about early childhood education and care, school funding, and university access, have made her a repeat guest around the country at educational institutions, teacher’s conferences, and not-for-profits focusing on intergenerational inequality.
Together with the Women’s Justice Network, Bri founded the “Freadom Inside” initiative. That program saw over $30,000 worth of books bought and donated to women in prison in New South Wales. They are now running a pilot program to fund previously incarcerated women to run book clubs for those still inside.
In 2024 Bri published her debut novel, 'The Work', which was both the Dymocks and Booktopia ‘Book of The Month’, and which she toured nationally for two months, she has also recently finished another nation-wide tour for her latest novel, 'Seed'.
Bri was a co-curator at the 2024 ‘All About Women Festival’ at the Sydney Opera House, programming six sold-out events and interviewing global superstar historian Mary Beard. She was shortlisted for a Walkley Award for her investigative journalism in The Monthly, won a 2021 UQ Alumni award, and has been listed for and received countless awards for literature.
Talking Points
Breaking Bias: Gender Equality and Justice in Modern Australia
This keynote tackles systemic gender bias in law and workplaces, offering practical strategies for creating equitable environments. Bri draws on her legal background and advocacy experience to provide insights relevant to leadership teams and organisations committed to diversity.Breaking Bias: Gender Equality and Justice in Modern Australia
Key Takeaways:
- Understand structural barriers to gender equality.
- Learn actionable steps for inclusive policy and culture.
- Explore the role of advocacy and leadership in driving change.
- Gain tools for embedding equity into organisational frameworks.
Who Gets to Be Smart: Power, Privilege, and the Future of Education
Drawing on her acclaimed book and years of research, Bri examines how privilege shapes access to education and opportunity in Australia. This keynote unpacks systemic inequities in early childhood care, school funding, and university pathways, and explores what organisations, policymakers, and communities can do to create fairer systems. Perfect for education conferences, government forums, and corporate events focused on social impact and workforce development.Who Gets to Be Smart: Power, Privilege, and the Future of Education
Key Takeaways:
- Understand how structural privilege influences educational outcomes.
- Learn practical strategies for promoting equity in education and training.
- Explore the long-term impact of intergenerational inequality on society and business.
- Gain insights into how organisations can support inclusive access to learning.
Shifting Systems: The Art of Influence and Reform
Bri shares her journey from legal associate to national advocate, illustrating how individuals and organisations can influence policy and culture. This keynote inspires audiences to leverage their platforms for meaningful change.Shifting Systems: The Art of Influence and Reform
Key Takeaways:
- Discover how storytelling drives systemic reform.
- Learn advocacy techniques for corporate and community impact.
- Understand the ripple effect of grassroots movements.
- Build confidence in using influence for positive outcomes.
Creativity as Resistance: Art, Literature, and Social Change
Exploring the intersection of creativity and activism, Bri demonstrates how art and literature can challenge injustice and inspire progress. Ideal for sectors prioritising innovation, culture, and engagement.Creativity as Resistance: Art, Literature, and Social Change
Key Takeaways:
- Understand how creative expression drives social impact.
- Learn to integrate storytelling into organisational strategy.
- Explore cultural narratives as tools for transformation.
- Gain inspiration for fostering creativity in leadership.
Workshops
Bri Lee has done – and excelled at – almost every type of writing: her investigative journalism was shortlisted for a Walkley Award, her academic research has been peer reviewed and published, her opinion and analysis work has been published widely, and she’s gathered ten thousand readers to her weekly casual newsletter. That’s not to mention her award-winning books across fiction and non-fiction. Bri has been teaching reading and writing lessons to adults for years, and was also recently a lecturer at the University of Sydney. She is an engaging and approachable teacher for either small groups or large audiences. Workshops
“The thing all these types of writing have in common – when they’re done well – is clarity.”
Workshops are best catered to organisations or groups depending on their needs. Get in touch to find out more about areas Bri can cover such as:
• Public speaking
• Appropriate written communication across differing levels of seniority
• How academics can get their complicated research into ‘plain English’ for the general public
• How to inject personality into your writing while remaining professional
• Basic building blocks for creative writing
• Managing large written projects over time
• Editing skills for your own work
• Editing skills for working with other people
Topics
I knew when Bri Lee agreed to interview the famed classicist Mary Beard on our Concert Hall stage, we were in good hands. She was in immediate command of a large amount of material which she ... keep reading Chip Rolley, Head of Talks and Ideas, Sydney Opera House
Bri spoke with such a resolute commitment and determination for a call to arms from us all – it really was a very phenomenal talk. When I met her afterwards, I almost felt a bit emotional. She was just fantastic.
Bri was absolutely fantastic… she captivated everyone that was in attendance (both in person and at the 6 satellite sites). Bri was forth-right in her presentation and covered everything that we all wanted to hear. Bri was extremely friendly, personable, and a pleasure to deal with.
Bri was fantastic on Friday, she was such a pleasure to work with and her speech was so powerful; she reflected so many things that are important to us at WLA. Bri was so generous with her time by signing copies of her books and taking photos with participants! There was a huge line at one stage. It was such a joy to work with her.
We had incredible feedback from all of our attendees at the event and lots and LOTS of “how did you manage to get Bri Lee to speak! She was so amazing!” It was a powerful and inspiring evening.
Bri was amazing, the audience were definitely there to see her. The panel conversation was a real highlight and Bri’s contribution to that panel was so on point. Lots of questions were directed to her and she was very eloquent and genuine. The conversation with Linda Black was really well attended and we reached full capacity. The book signing had a big line! Lots of Bri fans wanting to chat, and I really enjoyed meeting her – she was a festival highlight for sure!
