
Mel is currently on a leave of absence for the next academic year (2024/25).
I am a Law (LLB), Applied Human Rights (MA) and Social Research (MA) graduate and current ESRC and Stuart Hall Foundation PhD Student at the University of York.
I have worked as a Discrimination Caseworker and Adviser, supporting individuals with protected characteristics with discrimination related advice and casework. I am also an active member of a number of local Equality and Diversity Working Groups and am a Trustee, and Equality and Diversity Board member of my local Citizens Advice and Law Centre. I have also worked within varying organisations as a Research Assistant, both within the Academic sphere on an ESRC-funded project, and for an International Charity. My research interests are Migration, Immigration Law, Post-Colonialism, State Racism, Belonging, Security and Afro-Caribbean Diasporic communities, and Equality.
I am part of YCEDE as I believe that YCEDE’s aims are salient to making academia a more equitable space for academics from different backgrounds. The current racial disparities in postgraduate education, and the broader academic environment, inhibit knowledge production and a diverse research environment. I therefore believe that it is essential to conduct this work to situate and dismantle structural inequalities and barriers.
Scholars Board Members

Ammarah Ikram

Iman Federico Awi

Sonia Hunjan

Nabila Cruz

Sophia Lambert

Sumayyah Patel

Amirah Muhammad

Beverley Thomas

Zenab Eman Sabahat

Anita Rutendo Chonzi

Amira Samatar
