From Participation to Purpose: Reimagining Social Value

Meet our Panel

Dr Edilene Lopes McInnes, Chair of Engagement Institute Research Working Group

Dr Edilene Lopes McInnes is a public health and social researcher with expertise in public engagement processes, both as a researcher and a practitioner. Her research track record includes studies focused on engagement processes aimed at incorporating marginalised voices in decision-making, particularly within the healthcare sector.Edilene has experience in qualitative research methods and has taught in this domain. She has also conducted engagement exercises with various groups. Her interdisciplinary profile is reflected in her collaborations with colleagues across diverse fields such as business, humanities, and health, as well as her professional networks both within and outside academia.

Edilene is a member of the Public Health Association of Australia and the International Association of Public Participation.Her leadership abilities have been demonstrated through her coordination roles in the professional sector prior to joining academia as a project coordinator. Currently, she is also a member of a newly established Early Career Network at the University. Edilene’s research interests encompass public engagement exercises, the inclusion of marginalised voices in decision-making, patient involvement in research and healthcare policy, and wellbeing initiatives in both educational environments and the workplace.

Dr Emanuela Savini, Practice Lead / Director Public Value Studio

Dr Emanuela Savini is the Practice Lead for Democracy and Citizen Engagement at the Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance at the University of Canberra. Her research focuses on how government organisations adapt and embed deliberative engagement practices, with a strong interest in building capacity for democratic innovation within public management. Alongside her academic work, Emanuela is the Director of The Public Value Studio, an organisation dedicated to expanding civic participation and supporting community-led initiatives. She regularly facilitates programs, such as the Democracy Lab, and served as Chair of the Engagement Institute Research Working Group from 2019 to 2025. Passionate about bridging theory and practice, Emanuela works to advance more inclusive, participatory and democratic approaches to governance.

Merryn Spencer, Stakeholder and Engagement Lead, West Region Delivery Team

Senior stakeholder and engagement leader with over a decade of experience delivering communication, facilitation, and engagement strategies for infrastructure and energy projects. I lead values-driven teams that connect community insight with corporate decision-making, ensuring that projects align with organisational vision and public expectations. My focus areas include stakeholder engagement strategy, facilitation, digital engagement tools, and insight communication. Recognised for delivering best-practice engagement and actionable intelligence for complex projects, I bring a structured yet adaptive approach — combining technical, strategic, and human perspectives to achieve measurable results.