Elena holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of International Studies with a major in Government from the University of Sydney. Her research focuses on Australia’s China policy, the US-China-Australia relationship, the South China Sea, and the Belt and Road Initiative. Her work has been published in the Sydney Morning Herald, the South China Morning Post, The Diplomat and the Lowy Institute’s Interpreter amongst other outlets, and she has contributed chapters to edited volumes. She has previously held research and project positions in Australian departmental, ministerial and Senate offices, at state and federal levels.