Melissa Marselle

Dr. Melissa Marselle is a Lecturer in Environmental Psychology at the University of Surrey, working within the Environmental Psychology Research Group (EPRG) in the School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. With over 12 years of interdisciplinary research experience, her work bridges environmental psychology, biodiversity conservation, and public health. She has held research positions at multiple institutions across the UK, Germany, and the United States, focusing on how nature contact influences human health and well-being.

Dr. Marselle's educational background includes:

• PhD in Environmental Psychology from De Montfort University (2010-2014)
• MSc in Environmental Psychology (Distinction) from the University of Surrey (2003-2004)
• BA in Psychology from Oregon State University (1999-2003)

Her research primarily focuses on the health benefits of nature and biodiversity, as well as the psychology of sustainability. Dr. Marselle investigates which types and qualities of nature influence health outcomes, how biodiversity specifically affects mental well-being, and what "doses" of nature provide optimal health benefits. She also examines why sustainability policies often fail by analyzing behavior change interventions within conservation strategies, seeking to improve policy effectiveness through psychological insights.

Analysis of Dr. Marselle's recent publications reveals a strong trend toward understanding the specific mechanisms linking biodiversity to human health. Her work increasingly focuses on urban environments, soundscapes, and the psychological pathways through which nature contact improves well-being. There's a notable emphasis on translating research into practical applications through nature prescriptions and social prescribing programs, with growing attention to equity issues in accessing nature's health benefits.

Dr. Marselle serves as an Associate Editor for the journal "People and Nature" and is a member of the EKLIPSE Expert Working Group on Biodiversity and Mental Health, which has produced influential systematic reviews on urban green and blue spaces.

As an educator, Dr. Marselle teaches in the MSc Environmental Psychology program, covering topics including the health benefits of nature, behavior change theory, and design against crime. She also serves as Dissertation Tutor for undergraduate psychology students. Her research collaborations span multiple international institutions, including the James Hutton Institute (UK), University of Michigan (USA), Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (Germany), and Technion Institute of Technology (Israel).

Dr. Marselle leads and participates in several significant research projects, including Dr. FOREST (studying forest diversity effects on human health) and EKLIPSE (investigating which types of urban green and blue spaces impact mental health). Her work combines environmental psychology with conservation science to develop evidence-based approaches for urban planning and public health interventions.