Writing and journalism

Lee's early writing work included a short story published in Voiceworks,^[5] while serving as the founder and editor of the (now defunct) feminist quarterly periodical Hot Chicks with Big Brains.^[6] Hot Chicks with Big Brains ran from 2015-2018, spanning seven issues. It featured articles and interviews with diverse women and non-binary people, including Darug elder Aunty Jacinta Tobin, Isabella Manfredi, Mehreen Faruqi,^[7] Ruby Tandoh,^[8] and Clementine Ford.^[9]

Lee's first book, the memoir Eggshell Skull was published by Allen and Unwin in early 2018. It describes Lee's experience as a complainant in the Australian court system for sexual abuse she was subjected to as a child, whilst simultaneously working as a Judge's Associate working on similar cases. The memoir was well received, winning several awards including the People's Choice Award at the 2019 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards,^[10] as well as the Davitt Award for debut novel^[11] and the Ned Kelly Award for best true crime^[12] in the same year. Funding for story development for a film adaptation was granted by Screen Australia in March 2023.^[13] In 2021, passages from Eggshull Skull were quoted in a parliamentary debate regarding reform to the criminal justice system in Queensland.^[14] In 2023, Lee's work was discussed in the Parliament of New South Wales after the second reading speech for the Criminal Procedure Amendment (Child Sexual Offence Evidence) Bill 2023.^[15]

In October 2019, Lee's essay Beauty was published by Allen and Unwin.^[16] In the essay, Lee examines her struggles with disordered eating. It was praised for its dissection of corporate middle class culture.^[17]

In 2020 Lee was appointed the Australian Copyright Agency's Writer-in-Residence at the University of Technology Sydney.^[18]

Her book, Who Gets to Be Smart, was published in 2021 by Allen and Unwin.^[19]

In 2022, Lee's journalism for The Saturday Paper investigated a 'loophole,' whereby perpetrators of abuse were able to shield their assets from civil claims brought by their victims, by moving them into their superannuation.^[20] This was followed by further coverage by other outlets such as the ABC, and calls by Australian of the Year, Grace Tame for the government to enact reforms.^[21] The Australian Government subsequently pledged to close this loophole.^[22] Similarly, in 2023, Lee's investigative reporting into the financial affairs of Australian fashion label Ellery in The Monthly sparked further investigation and exposure by the ABC and other outlets.^[23][24] Lee was nominated for a Walkley Award for the piece.^[25]

Advocacy and media

Together with Bond University’s Professor Jonathan Crowe,^[26] Lee co-authored legal research and built ConsentLawQLD.com, a platform for the advocacy which led to the Queensland Attorney-General referring consent and the ‘mistake of fact,’ defence to the Law Reform Commission in 2019.^[27] Lee has been featured in advertising campaigns for brands including Sportsgirl,^[28] Mimco,^[29] Camilla & Marc,^[30] and Fashion Journal.^[31] Her advocacy has been recognised with a shortlisting for Women’s Agenda Leadership awards^[32] and a placement as one of 2019 Fin Review’s ‘women of influence’.^[33]

In 2021, in partnership with the Women's Justice Network and GleeBooks, Lee launched 'Freadom Inside,' an initiative facilitating the provision of books to inmates in women's correctional facilities in New South Wales.^[34]

Lee hosts the 'B List Bookclub;' a monthly bookclub featuring Australian and international authors, with the State Library of New South Wales.^[35] Lee has made several appearances on the ABC program 'The Drum,'^[36] as well as appearing on Radio National,^[37] discussing issues such as law reform, and her written work.