Elle teaches in the English program, and has particular interests in the representation of Antarctica in literature, and the relationship between literature and science. Her first degree was in physics, and her doctoral dissertation focussed on the language of science popularizations. She has published in a diverse range of journals, including the Review of English Studies, Ariel, Theatre Notebook and Polar Record.

Elle’s interest in the Antarctic developed when she began teaching at the University of Tasmania in 2000. Recently, she was awarded an Australian Antarctic Arts Fellowship, which enabled her to travel to Antarctica on the expedition ship Aurora Australis. Her current research into representations of Antarctica is supported by an ARC Discovery Grant. From 2005 she has been contributing to the new Bachelor of Antarctic Studies at the University.

Elle has been awarded a UTas Rising Stars grant (2008 for 2009-11, postponed until 2010 due to parental leave and also received an IRGS grant for 2007 entitled "Of People and Penguins: A Pilot Study of the Representation of Antarctic Animals".