Award-Winning Academic, Art Psychotherapist, Designer & Social Impact Innovator

Melanie is a distinguished leader in animation therapy and creative interventions, with over 20 years of experience spanning education, therapy, and creative practice. She has been recognised globally for her pioneering work, which has led to groundbreaking achievements in therapeutic animation, particularly for marginalised communities.

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Key Awards & Recognition:

• Invited to a Royal Reception at Buckingham Palace, where she was awarded by the late Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of her lifelong work impacting communities both nationally and internationally. This prestigious accolade acknowledged Melanie’s enduring commitment to social change and her significant contributions to therapeutic practices and education for disadvantaged groups.

• Named a Distinguished Scholar in Marquis Who’s Who in the World, a prestigious honour recognising her global impact and academic excellence.

• Winner of the Social Enterprise Award, recognising her innovative contributions to social impact through creative practices.

• NHS Innovation Award for developing animation-based therapy to help children with Prolonged Grief Disorder.

• Commended by The Duke of Gloucester and Baroness Morris of Yardley for her work with marginalised groups, including children with disabilities and those excluded from mainstream education.

• Awarded the title of Learning and Teaching Champion, recognising her excellence in teaching and mentorship, as well as her impact on the development of students in the field of creative education.

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Additional Notable Achievements:

• Founder of an award-winning animation studio focused on creating films with a social impact.

• Created the Animation for Public Engagement symposium and the Inclusival Animation Festival, both internationally recognised for advancing animation in education and therapy.

• As Head of Animation and Senior Lecturer at the University of Sunderland, Melanie developed the Good Hearts Model (GHM), the first-ever published animation-based therapeutic model used in both education and clinical settings. It lead to the creation of the HEART organisation, now tranferred to  Texas Tech University. This groundbreaking approach has earned multiple accolades, including widespread recognition in academic and public sector circles.

• Secured significant funding from the Big Lottery Fund, NHS, and Arts Council, and partnered with organisations like Barnardo’s to support children with complex needs.

Melanie’s work has transformed the intersection of animation, art therapy, and education, bringing innovative therapeutic practices to global audiences. Her extensive contributions have had a lasting impact, empowering individuals from disadvantaged or excluded backgrounds to access the support they need to thrive​

Current Focus:

Melanie is currently expanding her expertise into illustration and mental health, developing models of good practice to enhance positive mental health through creative expression. By combining her background in art therapy, animation, and design, she continues to push boundaries in how visual arts can support emotional wellbeing and contribute to mental health recovery.

Available for:

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Commissions

 

Exhibitions

 

Licensing Opportunities

 

External Examining

 

Consultancy

 

PhD Supervision

 

Keynote & Conference Presentations

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Research & Exhibition Opportunities

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Her unique expertise and ability to bridge the worlds of education, therapy, illustration, and creative practice make Melanie an invaluable collaborator and speaker, dedicated to advancing creative innovation and social change.