Mel is a research fellow at the Health Research Institute, University of Canberra. Mel has a background in social science, forestry and natural resource management, and her area of research focusses on the health and wellbeing of different groups of Australians, wellbeing and resilience in relation to experience of challenging times such as disasters, and social dimensions of natural resource management in Australia.

Her recent work has been focussed on wellbeing surveys, wellbeing measurements and indicator production, using both quantitative and qualitative social science methodologies. Mel works extensively on the annual Regional Wellbeing Survey (RWS) and the annual Carer Wellbeing Survey (CWS): both nationwide surveys examining the wellbeing of individuals, differnet groups of people, communities and carers. 

In 2021 Mel was awarded her PhD at the Australian National University, exploring social acceptablity of fuel management strategies used to reduce bushfire risk to life and property.

Research Interests

Melinda's area of research focusses on the social dimensions of natural resource management in Australia.