G.J. Melendez-Torres, Professor of Clinical and Social Epidemiology, University of Exeter
This public lecture featured Professor G.J. Melendez-Torres who shared insights into how an intervention works, where it works and for whom it works. His talk attracted 80 associates from various public sector institutions, including many policymakers, practitioners as well as service users. They come from the Ministry of Social and Family Development, the Institute of Policy Studies, the National Council of Social Services, the National University of Singapore, the Institute of Mental Health, the Ministry of Home Affairs and other Government agencies.
80 participants from various public sector institutions attending the SUSS Public Lecture
Professor G.J. Melendez-Torres used examples from child and adolescent health to illustrate and discuss the development of future methods to move evaluations and evidence syntheses from inference to explanation. In addition, he also delved into future possible approaches for future questions. The lecture rounded off with a spirited 30-minute question-and-answer segment which elicited a lively discussion between Professor G.J. Melendez-Torres and the participants.
A dynamic exchange was sparked during the QnA session
Everyone agreed that it was a great and successful event and looked forward to more of such lectures as Singapore moves from theories to practice in intervention methods.
Wang Jiunwen, Senior Lecturer at S R Nathan School of Human Development, found the talk was not only eye-opening but also inspiring for researchers to employ a more nuanced approach in our data analysis. He says, “Prof G.J. Melendez-Torres’ talk enabled us to have a deeper look at both qualitative and quantitative data analysis and challenged some of our current methodologies, offering refreshing alternatives to look at and analyse data.”
Nicholas Netto, Senior Lecturer at SUSS SR Nathan School of Human Development, adds, “Moving from inference to explanation in evidence-based policy advice – a great catchy title with a big ask. But Prof G.J. Melendez-Torres’ intense yet insightful lecture captured the attention of policy-makers and practitioners alike, as he espoused methods in primary evaluations and evidence synthesis that tackled "knotty methodological problems" in the research of complex interventions. A fruitful two hours that left participants craving for more…”
Liu Li Juan Denise, senior research executive of Fei Yue Community Services expressed her gratitude to SUSS for organising and inviting her to the lecture. Finding this talk applicable to her work, she says, “Prof G.J. Melendez-Torres’ “whistle-stop” tour of causation and realist evaluation methods was very thought-provoking and relevant to my work as a researcher in the social service sector. It was a good reminder for me to consider diversity – in terms of methods, context, and sample! Prof G.J. Melendez-Torres’ explained complicated concepts and statistical methods simply and clearly, and his lecture has made me think about how I can better translate evidence meaningfully to my practitioner colleagues.”
Director of SUSS Centre for Applied Research, Associate Professor (AP) Randolph Tan Gee Kwang presents Professor G.J. Melendez-Torres a token of appreciation
About the Speaker:
Prof G.J. Melendez-Torres is a Professor of Clinical and Social Epidemiology at the University of Exeter. He directs the Peninsula Technology Assessment Group, the School for Public Health Environments Research at Exeter, and the Master of Public Health, in addition to a role as the University’s Academic Advisor for Student Health and well-being. An expert in statistical and qualitative methods for evaluation and evidence synthesis, he has a specific focus on child and adolescent development and violence prevention. Prof Melendez-Torres undertook his first degrees at the University of Pennsylvania, where he completed a BSc in the School of Nursing and a BSc from the Wharton School, both summa cum laude; his MPhil and DPhil in Social Intervention from the University of Oxford, where he was a Marshall Scholar; and his MPH from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, where he was a Truman Scholar.