Originally from Adelaide, Dr Emily Matheson, a research consultant who leads global mental health initiatives, moved to England for a new job after finishing her PhD in Clinical Psychology, before making another transcontinental shift to New York to be with her (now) husband. She’s recently launched New York Transplants, where she will be exploring what community means and how she and other transplants can feel a greater sense of belonging and grounding in New York City.
What were your first impressions of NYC, and how has that changed since you’ve lived here?
My love for New York has been a story with many chapters! I first visited in 2009 as an 18-year-old with my parents at Christmas, and it was like walking into a Home Alone movie set. Just two years later, I was back for Camp America, spending the summer as a camp counselor and lifeguard in the Catskills, which led to some of the greatest friendships I still have today. In yet another twist of fate, I met my (now) husband in 2015 in Adelaide while he was on a lacrosse exchange program from New York. After doing long distance for several years, we got married in 2022, and we’ve been calling New York home ever since.
Visiting and living in New York are very different experiences. After living in New York for almost three years, I noticed that I’d been pendulum-swinging between being very busy and at a standstill; there was no in-between. The busy periods involved a lot of transition: getting married, applying for visas, moving apartments, work travel, family events, and extended visits back to Australia.
The quieter periods, however, stopped me in my tracks. I hadn’t spent much time nurturing my New York Community. This year, I promised myself that I would be intentional about creating and nurturing my sense of belonging, with a focus on building up my community. I started documenting this experience, talking about belonging and community with other transplants and expats, and thought it might be worth sharing these conversations with a wider audience. That’s how New York Transplants came to be.
What do you do for work?
From a young age, my parents taught me the value of connecting with people from all walks of life, particularly those who have walked a different path to me. This passion for human connection led me to pursue Clinical Psychology, which is all about exploring, understanding, and supporting people’s mental and physical health and overall well-being.
I’m a research consultant and for the past six years, I’ve led global mental health initiatives that encourage young people to embrace their bodies and feel confident expressing their identities. It’s been inspiring to see body confidence become a household topic and for people to recognize how feeling good about our bodies enhances both our mental and physical health. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with some of the kindest and most talented people in the well-being space, including purpose-driven brands and community partners like Dove, Cartoon Network, Nike, Laureus, and UNICEF, who are committed to creating more diverse and inclusive spaces, particularly for girls and women.
One of my favorite projects was developing Body Confident Sport in partnership with Dove and Nike. This project aims to prevent girls from dropping out of sports due to low body confidence. It was a significant undertaking that took three years to complete and brought together girls and coaches from around the world, ensuring it was truly a program for girls, by girls. It was then incredibly special to be at the global launch of Body Confident Sport here in New York in October 2023.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received about living/working in NYC?
It takes time! Whatever it is—finding your feet, your people, your ideal job, or even the best flat white. New York is a city of contradictions, and with endless possibilities, it can sometimes feel overwhelming, leaving you unsure which direction to take. That’s when checking in with yourself becomes essential. Take stock and reflect on what you want to gain from this city. You can’t expect New York to come to you; it’s out there waiting, and you need to be intentional about shaping your experience. It takes consistency to build familiarity and it takes familiarity to build community—it won’t happen overnight!
Have you kept connections with Aussies in NYC? And what does that community of Aussies mean to you (being so far from home)?
The Aussie community has been a huge part of my New York journey, especially in 2024. Sharing an identity breaks down so many barriers—it makes it so much easier to connect, especially with people who just get it right away. When I was looking for intentional ways to build my community, I found Josh Pugh and the America Josh community, which led me to my first AWNY and AAA events in October. These three organizations gave me an immediate sense of warmth and some quick wins for building connections. For example, I joined the weekly Friday coffees and attended the Big Aussie BBQ hosted by Josh, where a joke over a sausage roll turned into new friendships with two fellow Aussies—shout out to Peta and Christina!
What is the best way for AWNY members to contact or communicate with you?
You can find me at New York Transplants on all your favorite social media platforms. I know people connect with content in different ways, so I share New York Transplants across multiple platforms, offering both short and long-form insights. You can access them all via my website.
AWNY | Australian Women in New York 