Dr Melanie Handley is an Associate Professor at the University of Hertfordshire and a researcher in NIHR ARC East of England’s Social Care, Dementia and Ageing theme.
Melanie's research focuses on health and care services for people living with multiple long-term conditions. She recently led the CONNECT study, working with people living with dementia, family supporters and hospital staff to co-design an intervention that facilitates person-centred approaches to hospital care. Her current research includes co-leading the MEDAL study that will model how people living with and supporting someone with dementia alongside other long-term conditions access and navigate support from health, care and community services.
Melanie employs and combines a range of approaches including realist methodology, systems thinking and co-production. Her research is multi-disciplinary and aims to establish what works and why for people with lived experience and those working in services.
