Melanie Eddy

Melanie Eddy serves as Lecturer in Jewellery and Objects at Birmingham City University, leveraging over 25 years of industry experience and 15 years in Further/Higher Education to bridge academic practice with global craft traditions. Her work integrates hands-on making, critical writing, and cultural research across international contexts.

Her research centers on Contemporary Jewellery within Cultural Heritage frameworks, with emphasis on South Asian craft ecosystems and decolonizing design practices. Fieldwork in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and Thailand informs her investigations into artisan displacement, material sustainability, and gender dynamics in craft economies, particularly through collaborations with Turquoise Mountain and British Council initiatives.

Eddy actively advances diversity in craft industries through trustee roles and advisory work with UK/international bodies. Her industry portfolio includes high-impact contracts with Swarovski, DeBeers Group, Victoria & Albert Museum, Aga Khan Foundation, and Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, focusing on ethical supply chains and cross-cultural design innovation.