Judge: Best Plain Language Website — Public Sector

Analyst and Technical Communicator, Wellington, New Zealand

Emily Cotlier is a plain language advocate, a senior business analyst, and a technical communicator. Her experience includes over 20 years working with web design and architecture. She also creates accessible content for complex topics — she’s written about meat-cutting robots, pomegranate-processing machinery, wireless radio data, and AI technology.

In 2025 she is part of the team improving New Zealand’s national legislation website at the Parliamentary Counsel Office. She notes,

New tools are changing how users find information, what they expect from websites, and what makes information trustworthy. Plain language improves website access for every level of user, and enables the new tools they want.

Emily has an MS in Scientific and Technical Communication from Drexel University, and a BA from Bryn Mawr College.

Meet the judges for the Plain Language Awards

How the judging process works