Mel is a second year PhD Student based in the Department of Politics at the University of York. The current working title for her PhD is: ‘We are Here to Stay Inna Inglan: Britain’s Immigration Regime, Contingent Status and Belonging Amongst Windrush Descendants of Jamaican Heritage’.
Alongside her studies, Mel is also involved in community work and activism, mostly focussed on social justice, anti-racism, access to justice, and ‘Windrush’. Mel is a trustee at her local Citizens Advice and Law Centre, Co-founder and member of the ‘Anti-Racism Working Group’ based at the University of York, EDI Consultant at the Anthony Walker Foundation and an active member of various regional anti-racism focussed organisations. Mel particularly believes in the importance of connecting activism with research, legal practice and the arts to trigger necessary change, and has worked with the rest of the conference team to create this interdisciplinary space for PhD students and ECRs.