Dr. Edward Melhuish

Biography

Edward Melhuish is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Oxford, where he has focused on human development and child education. He has conducted extensive research across 12 countries, currently leading large-scale longitudinal studies in Norway, the UK, and Australia, which explore family and community influences on child development and their policy implications. Melhuish participates in the EU-project ISOTIS that addresses childhood inequality in 11 countries and has influenced UK social policy regarding families and young children through landmark legislation like the Children Act and Childcare Bill. With over 300 publications, Melhuish has contributed to discussions on child social policy in various countries including Norway, Germany, and Japan. He serves as a scientific advisor to UK research funding agencies and international bodies such as the European Commission and the OECD, and was awarded the OBE for his services to social sciences in 2016. His pro-bono work includes advising charities focused on child well-being, and he is a trustee for several organizations including the WAVE Trust and Foundation Years Trust.

Research Interests