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My name is Melissa. I am fascinated by the ways that societies define and redefine themselves through migration. Studying migration – both the ways people move around the globe but also the ways that states and other actors try to control those movements – is a window into a wide array of social phenomena. Thinking critically about all sides of migration issues helps us to become more inclusive and prosperous societies.

I recently completed a PhD on the local governance of forced migration. This work was motivated by the question of how cities serve as a unique site of refuge for people affected by displacement. Work in a variety of contexts inspired this research, including from eastern Ukraine (pictured above).

I am now focusing on the UK context to support local authorities developing a more sustained welcoming and integration infrastructure for migrants and newcomers. Stay tuned!