Melissa Butcher

Growing up in rural Australia, Melissa watched families and communities around her trying to manage change. As a journalist, then a university researcher, Melissa has tried to understand what makes the difference. Working with people from all walks of life, in countries around the world, she is now a leading voice in understanding the link between social conflict and how we manage change.
Melissa’s latest research on freedom and political polarization in the USA continues this focus. Her writing captures complex social issues in everyday stories, creating findings that have been used in policy and practice.