Melisa Maida

Melisa Maida is a Researcher and PhD candidate in Human Geography at Newcastle University's School of Geography, Politics and Sociology. Her work focuses on refugee resettlement, transnational belonging, and participatory arts-based methods. She is affiliated with the Children and Youth Research Group and co-founded the Creative Arts Research Network (CARN), fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in creative research methods.

Academic Qualifications:

• PhD Candidate in Human Geography (Newcastle University, ongoing)
• MA Human Geography (Newcastle University, 2020-2021)
• MA Community Arts (University of Cumbria)
• BA (Hons) European Studies and Modern Languages (Northumbria University)
• BA (Hons) Geography (Newcastle University, 2017-2020)

Research Interests:

• Migration, asylum-seeking, and refugee experiences
• Belonging and relatedness in transnational contexts
• Participatory photography and creative ethnography
• Social exclusion and ethno-nationalism

Teaching Contributions: She has taught courses including GEO1010, GEO1018, GEO2043, and SOC2070, focusing on geographical analysis, migration studies, and research methods.

Creative Outputs: Her research employs participatory photography to document refugee narratives, culminating in exhibitions during Tyneside's Refugee Week. She co-presented at the RGS-IBG 2022 conference on creative methodologies for refugee inclusion.

Professional Background: With over 15 years of experience in NGOs such as North of England Refugee Service and VSO, her work bridges academic research with grassroots advocacy for displaced communities.