Melisa Duque

Monash University, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Melisa Duque is a design anthropologist whose research sits at the intersection of human-computer interaction (HCI), ageing, and care innovation. Her work reimagines technology for positive ageing, shifting the focus from deficit-based interventions—like improving mobility or health outcomes—toward fostering creativity, inquisitiveness, and resourcefulness among older adults. Her most cited paper, “Isn't this Marvelous” (2022, 16 citations), exemplifies this contribution, offering a nuanced understanding of how technology can support joyful, engaged later life. Duque also pioneered “troubleshooting as a method” during COVID-19, a collaborative, digital-hybridized approach for remote aged care innovation (2022, 8 citations). This methodological contribution provides an ethical framework for exploring the lived experiences of older people with chronic conditions. More recently, her work on “Anticipatory Repair” (2024) extends the concept of repair into digital futures, engaging with algorithms, AI, and robotics. Through interviews with leading scholars, Duque reframes breakage not as a problem to be fixed, but as a site for future-oriented design. Her research is notable for its interdisciplinary, participatory ethos, making her a key voice in designing more humane, imaginative technologies for ageing populations.