About

Dr Melissa Innes is a researcher specialising in Individual Foresight (IF), knowledge management and organisational learning. Her award-winning doctoral research, published in the Journal of Innovation and Knowledge (a Q1-ranked journal), developed the IF Framework—an innovative approach now being applied across a diverse range of industries for leadership and organisational development.

Dr Innes is currently extending her IF research to support child safety and aged care workers in Queensland, aiming to enhance decision-making and knowledge-sharing in high-stakes environments. As such, she is a member of the Healthy Ageing Research Cluster at UniSC. Her current research involves investigating the role of key network actors in Alternative Food Networks (AFNs), focusing on how effective knowledge management can drive sustainability and innovation across the sector. At an organisational level, Dr Innes' research investigates how cultivating IF within organisations can foster knowledge creation, innovation, and improved knowledge management, ultimately contributing to organisational capability and strategic efficiency.

These outcomes are particularly relevant in the context of sustainable business, health, and food systems, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2, 3, 8, 12, 13, 15, and 17. Dr Innes’ research supports UniSC’s Research Impact Strategy, with tangible benefits for regional AFNs and community health, while contributing meaningfully to global sustainability scholarship.

Links

A research cluster that seeks to enhance the health and wellbeing of older adults living in regional communities.
We are a research collective at UniSC, that focuses on creative, regional, organisation and work issues.
Lecturer and Individual Foresight researcher in the School of Business and Creative Industries at UniSC.

Awards and Honours

Dean, Graduate Research Award for Outstanding Thesis
University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia, Sunshine Coast) - UniSC, August 2023
Nominated for Australia Day Citizen of the Year
Sunshine Coast Council (Australia), 2018
Lifetime Membership of Golden Key International Honor Society
Queensland University of Technology (Australia, Brisbane) - QUT, 1999

Organisational Affiliations

Lecturer in Management and HRM, School of Business and Creative Industries

Education

Exploring the lived experience of Individual Foresight in organisations
20182023, Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia, Sunshine Coast) - UniSC
Bachelor of Business (Management & Human Resource Management)
19971999, Bachelor of Business (BBus), Queensland University of Technology (Australia, Brisbane) - QUT