Dr. Andrea Mellor

Andrea’s research explores the ways that natural, social, and political environments influence health and wellness and how improving access to resources and services can optimize wellbeing. My current work focuses on marginalized populations, in particular Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth who use substances and are facing formidable life challenges, people living with disabilities, and sex workers. I am interested in the ways that social structures and cultural norms intersect with day-to-day lived experiences, and in particular, ways that cultural teachings can promote and enhance resilience, strength, and health equity. My research explores these intersections using community-based, participatory, Indigenist, critical, and visual methodologies.
- BSc (2006) Geology, University of Calgary
- MSc (2011) Hydrogeology, University of Calgary
- PhD (2021) Social Dimensions of Health, University of Victoria
- PhD grad collaborates with Indigenous youth (UVic News)
Publications
- Benoit, C. & Mellor, A. (submitted). Access to Sexual Rights for People Living with Disabilities: Assumptions, Evidence and Policy Outcomes. Submitted to Archives of Sexual Behavior (December 2021).
- Mellor, A., Surrounded by Cedar Child and Family Services, Cloutier, D., Wang, L., & Kobayashi, K. (submitted). Becoming Wolf and other stories: Using Indigenist arts-based methodologies to explore urban Indigenous coming of age. Submitted to AlterNative (February 2021).
- Mellor, A., (2021). Quilting allyship in a time COVID-19. Journal of Indigenous HIV Research, 11, 3-13.
- Mellor, A., Surrounded by Cedar Child and Family Services, Cloutier, D., & Claxton, N. (2021). “Youth will feel honored if they are reminded they are loved”: Supporting coming of age for urban Indigenous youth in care. International Journal of Indigenous Health, 16(2), 308–321.
- Mellor, A., SCCFS, Cloutier, D. (2020). Becoming self-in-relation: Coming of age as a pathway towards wellness for urban Indigenous youth in care. First Peoples Child and Family Review, 15(1), 2-21.
- Mellor, A., Wells, M., Pooyak, S., Nicholson, V., Dickie, C., Lambert, S., Hillstrom, K., Monchalin, R., Nixon, S., Amirault, M., Prentice, T., Masching, R. (2019). The WoW Gathering: A Land-Based Positive Action Initiative to Support Indigenous People Living with HIV. Journal of Indigenous HIV Research, 10, 28-38.
- Mellor, A.F.P., Webb, N.K., Pooyak, S., Nicolson, V., Dickie, C., Lambert, S., Monchalin, R., Nixon, S., Amirault, M., Masching, R., Prentice, T. (2018). “I’m here and I’m going to do what I’m going to do”: What is an HIV Older? Journal of Indigenous HIV Research, 9, 66-72. Accessed at: