Dr. Melissa Sterry
Melissa Sterry, Ph.D., CSci, FIScT, FDRS is recognised globally for her cutting-edge work at the intersection of science, technology, and design. Melissa is a pioneering leader in sustainable innovation research, development, and strategy. With a career spanning over 25 years, she has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in creating sustainable and resilient futures.
Melissa’s primary expertise lies in harnessing nature’s strategies to address complex environmental challenges, a field where she is considered a trailblazer. Her research into biomimetics and ecological systems thinking has led to the development of groundbreaking concepts like Panarchistic, Pyrophytic, and Xerophytic architecture, which reimagine how we build in fire-prone and arid environments by mimicking the traits of natural ecosystems and the species that populate them. Her research works published through her platform Panarchic Codex®, is also founder of virtual pop-up hybrids Design for Wildfire school – the world’s first school dedicated to teaching architectural, urban, and landscape design for resilience to wildfire, and its wildfire design laboratory, Firescape Lab.
As the founding director of boutique biofuturism and bioinnovation consultancy Bioratorium® (Est. 2019), and Bionic City® (Est. 2010), the seminal exploration of how nature would design a city with resilience to natural hazards, Melissa has been at the forefront of integrating biodesign and its sister disciplines into mainstream design, architecture, construction, and urban planning. Her work has inspired a global community of innovators and has been instrumental in shaping the future of sustainable design.
Her influence extending beyond research and development, she is a trusted board-level advisor to both private and public sector leaders worldwide, helping them to navigate the complexities of sustainable innovation. Her strategic insights have been sought after by major corporations, government agencies, NGOs, and leading academic institutions, where she has informed forward-thinking programmes, policies and practices.
A chartered scientist with a Ph.D. in bio-inspired design for building resilience to wildfires, and a recipient of numerous prestigious awards, fellowships, and other honours, Melissa is also a celebrated speaker and thought leader. She is published in over 60 international consumer, trade, and academic titles, has been featured in over 450 more, has appeared in numerous media productions, and delivered over 100 invited keynote addresses at conferences worldwide.
Melissa’s work is not only visionary but also deliverable, making her a central figure in the movement toward a more sustainable and resilient world. Her ability to translate complex scientific ideas into practical, scalable solutions has cemented her reputation as a leader in sustainable innovation strategy and leadership. Her depth of technical knowledge and wide-ranging hands-on executive experience make her one of the few contemporary futurists able to walk her sustainability and futures talk.
Her awards and honours include Mensa Education and Research Foundation International Award for enhancing intelligence that benefits society (2010), Woman Icon of the Year Award (overseas), International Inspirational Women Awards (2024), Inductee of the Global Women Inventors and Innovators Network ‘Hall of Fame’ (2009), among many others. Melissa is a member of design and innovation boards including the Design Council expert network, a fellow of the Design Research Society, and of the Institute of Science and Technology. An executive board advisor to countless startups in design, media, publishing, film, technology, fashion, music, and the visual arts, she is advising the world’s first company to grow furniture in orchards, and a mixed media borderless magazine. Her wider experience includes board roles with several first to markets, as well as some of the world’s most pioneering philanthropic events, including the world’s longest ever fundraising party, and the first rock concert to be held at the Royal Opera House.
Melissa’s earlier works include founding New Frontiers (2008–2010) – an award-winning interdisciplinary collaborative innovation programme that provided opportunities and stimulus for new sustainable design; founding Societas (2004–2010) – an multi award-winning sustainability innovation think tank, collaborative laboratory and strategic consultancy; and cofounding the Creative Graduate Prize (2004 – 2010), launching talent in the fine, installation, and photographic arts – the world’s first online digital creative arts awards and the Iconique Societas Awards (2007 – 2010) – the world’s first online fashion arts awards.
In addition to her commercial works, Melissa is a champion of equity and fairness in research, enterprise, and innovation. Having experienced numerous instances of her research being plagiarised, IP being stolen, and other infringements on her intellectual property, and aware many peers have experienced similar issues, in 2025 she cofounded the Original Minds, Rightful Credit campaign to push back against the problem of misattribution of origination of ideas, inventions, and innovations.
Watch Earth 2.0: Initialization — Melissa Sterry. Read INTERVIEW: We Talk to Futurist Melissa Sterry About Earth 2.0 and the Bionic City. View her Facebook page. Read her about.me profile and LinkedIn profile. Follow her X feed. Watch her YouTube channel.