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Demelza joined the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) in 2023, following research and teaching roles at the University of Gloucestershire, Aston University and the University of Birmingham, and a PhD at the University of Bristol.
Demelza’s research focuses broadly on the liveability of rural areas, particularly for younger residents and lower-income households. Current and recent work in this area includes the Horizon Europe RUSTIK project, where she collaborates with Monmouthshire/Sir Fynwy County Council to investigate drivers of demographic imbalance, and projects addressing rural affordable housing, community infrastructure, and service provision funded by Defra, Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), the Rural Housing Network, and the Ministry of Justice.
She has additional research interests in social inequalities in access to nature, which she has explored via work on Forest School/Outdoor Learning in state primary schools, and an evaluation of the Culture Nature programme which funds public libraries to deliver nature connection initiatives in their local communities.
Demelza has previously researched and published on migration, diaspora and the impacts of austerity on low-income families. Before her PhD, she worked in the third sector with organisations including Arts Council England, BBC Children in Need, and the Refugee Council, and is current co-Chair of the University of Gloucestershire’s Sanctuary Committee.
Social Research Association
My current research interests focus on liveability of rural communities for younger and lower income residents, and social inequalities in access to nature.
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