Melissa is renowned for crafting content that explores cutting-edge ideas and innovations across science, technology, and design, and their potential impacts to environment, society, culture, and business. Principally working in experimental and pioneering media and publishing formats, she champions new talents and projects while drawing inspiration from the likes of H.G. Wells, David Attenborough, Alan Wicker, Carl Sagan, Arthur. C. Clarke, and Jacob Bronowski.

 Her written works span an extensive breadth of subjects, formats, and audiences. Published in over 60 international academic, industry, and consumer titles — with additional coverage in 450+ more — Melissa’s writing navigates complex, forward-thinking topics with clarity and depth. She is known for challenging received wisdom, crafting incisive arguments, far reaching foresight, and rigour in research. 

From authoring chapters in scholarly books like The Routledge Companion to Smart Design Thinking in Architecture and Urbanism to contributions to popular non-fiction, including recently published The Meaning of Life: Letters from Extraordinary People and their Answers to Life’s Biggest Question, to authoring influential whitepapers for multinational corporations and non-government agencies, Melissa’s non-fiction works tackle highly complex subjects at the nexus of science, sustainability, innovation, and design.

Since the early 2000s, Melissa has published a wide range of interviews with international thought leaders in areas such as nature-inspired design, sustainable innovation, edge technologies in sensing and computing, science and engineering, and fashion, culture, and the visual arts. Her interviews have featured in print and digital magazines, as well as across livestream platforms and podcasts.

In addition to non-fiction, Melissa also writes science fiction in formats including micro, flash, short, and novella for print, digital, audio, and short film. Her inaugural fiction works attained accolades including finalist positions in two New Scientist writing competitions and an honourable mention in the Millenium Writing Awards. Subjects she explores include the future of climate [Cli-fi], society, and environment, as well as mythology, anthropology, and folklore. Her works have been published in both experimental and independent media, including first-in-genre media projects and startups of which she has been a cofounder.

Melissa has further contributed as an expert-advisor to short and feature length film, television, and radio scripts, including shorts on sustainable innovation, nature-inspired design, the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci, the future of work and society, and most recently, a pilot for a television series that explores the future of sustainable luxury, and a documentary on the future of cities.

Her accolades include contributions to award-winning publications, multimedia productions, and groundbreaking speculative fiction projects. Collaborating with globally recognised organisations, publishers, and media outlets, as well as exciting new talents from around the world, her work reaches diverse audiences—from academics and industry leaders to the public at large. Whether exploring climate resilience, nature-inspired innovation, business ethics, or more, Dr. Sterry’s writing reflects her deep sense of curiosity, commitment to creativity, and unparalleled perspective.