Dr. Kelly Melekis has taught courses on social work practice,
research methods, and death, dying and bereavement for over 20 years.
She practiced as a clinical social worker in geriatric mental health and
substance use, and taught social work practice, policy and research at
Boston University, University of Hawaii, and Skidmore College. A U.S.
Fulbright Scholar, she recently explored cultural variations in
end-of-life care at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania.
As
a gerontological social worker, Dr. Melekis’s scholarship focuses on 1)
the health and well-being of vulnerable and oppressed older adults,
particularly in terms of homelessness, housing, and social environment,
and 2) the education and training of social workers, especially in terms
of interprofessional practice in health and aging. Underlying the
substantive content of her research are methodological considerations
rooted in social justice and a commitment to including the voices and
perspectives of marginalized populations and those who serve them,
thereby providing a comprehensive sense of what works, for whom, and in
what ways. She conducts primarily community-based research, with an
emphasis on collaborative, participatory methods and her work
contributes to improved policy, program development, and effective
interprofessional practice.