Resumé

 

Enterprise & Innovation

Design Scientist, Systems Theorist, Futurologist | Jan 2009 – Present

Design scientist, systems theorist, and futurologist delivering board-level advisories to corporate, government, and NGO clients across the built environment, utilities, manufacturing, engineering, design, publishing, media, and communications sectors. Having first interrogated the potentialities of biomaterials and anticipated the concept that would become cradle-to-cradle design in the early 90s while still an undergraduate, Melissa has researched and developed original biodesign, biomimetic, and biotechnology concepts across fields including textiles, fashion, architecture, urban planning, and infrastructure. A serial entrepreneur who has founded, co-founded, advised, and mentored several first-to-market start-ups across multiple emerging sectors including digital B2B, B2C, and hybrid models, hers is hands-on executive-level experience at the coalface of innovation; researching, developing, and commercialising market-creating concepts. Her trademark is delivering technically and strategically informed analyses that accommodate for factors at the local and global scale in the present and future.

​Her specialist fields are planetary and biofutures; bioscience; bioengineering, and biourbansim; ecological and biocentric design, and urban and peri-urban resilience; natural hazards and risk mitigation; emerging technologies and creative concepts and their applications in science, industry, and society; complexity and systems theory; sustainable innovation and enterprise; and corporate social responsibility and business ethics.

Past activities include expert advisor to a major airline on the future of travel; expert advisor to a leading trends consultancy on the future of cities and health; expert advisor to an Australian government org on the future of design, manufacturing, distribution, and commerce; co-author of a report on the threat of nano/micro pollutants to oceans and possible current and future means of mitigation; expert advisor on design and manufacturing futures to the R&D executives at a leading global manufacturer; expert advisor on world futures social and environmental to numerous global clients; expert advisor and media figurehead to a white paper of the future of technology and the technology recruitment market to a leading recruitment group; contributor to a white paper on the future of events and public gatherings; expert advisor & workshop collaborator on future cities & urban design to various leading construction and real estate companies; expert advisor & workshop collaborator developing goods for the future home for a leading global FMCG group; participating as consultant & speaker in a workshop exploring the future home and home living, Singularity University, California; participating in a workshop developing future communications technology services and products for a leading commnuications company; participating as consultant & speaker in the 'Inventing the Future' think tank, held at the Royal Society, and contributing to its subsequent white paper, which discussed what technical & scientific careers will look like in the future, and what STEM-focused skills will be needed to satisfy these new occupations; and participating as a fellow of the British Council co-created UnBox Labs 'Future Cities' laboratory at the National Institute of Design, India.

Further past clients include Toyota Motor Corporation, Unilever, Virgin group, Vodafone group, Hershey's, Grosvenor, CW Jobs, SUEZ group, Studio IntO, easyJet, among many others. Melissa has been credited as being a top 20 global futurist by Springwise, and in the top 30 women futurists, and top 100 most influential futurists worldwide in the independent Futurist Rankings list.

Founding Director, Bioratorium Limited, London | Jan 2019 - Present

Biofuturism consultancy Bioratorium® and its lab Labioratorium® serve to interrogate the possible future potentialities of bio-informed, bio-inspired, and bio-material science, technology, engineering, design, and thinking in and beyond the built environment. Helping clients to identify possible opportunities and risks, including new products, markets, and business models, its services include scenario planning, horizon scanning, trend identification, analysis, and extrapolation; speculative design and design fictions; workshops and talks; strategic advisories, and curation. Bioratorium® also collaborates with seminal experts across the bio-fields to produce open access content on biodesign, biomaterials, biotechnology, and biofabrication, such as its BIOfutures series of livestream chats, zines, and other publications. See www.bioratorium.com.

Founding Director, Panarchic Codex, London | Jan 2018 - Present

The product of an extensive systemic transdisciplinary interrogation of the interplay between human and non-human systems over deep time and space, Panarchic Codex® seeks to provide a critical, yet creative perspective on the 'problem' of living with wildfire, while also serving to inform wider exploration of bespoke biomimetic, bioengineered, and biotechnological architectural, urban, and landscape natural hazard interventions. Drawing on leading-edge research from several scientific, technological, humanistic, and artistic domains, both academic and commercial, Panarchic Codex® triangulates data spanning myriad forms, disciplines, epochs, and R&D communities. See www.panarchiccodex.com.

Founding Director, Bionic City, London | Jan 2010 - Present

Bionic City® seeks to answer the question “how would nature design a city?” and examines the potential of biomimetics, biotechnology and biology in the built environment in the now, near and far future. Bionic City® creates its own original research, concepts and creative works, while also serving as a platform for collaborating and co-creating with leading interdisciplinary scientists, designers, architects, technologists, and artists worldwide. More information can be found at www.bioniccity.co.uk.

Founding Director, New Frontiers, London | Oct 2008 - Dec 2010

New Frontiers was an award-winning interdisciplinary collaborative innovation programme that provided opportunities and stimulus for new sustainable design, running a number of seminars on the subject and facilitating online conversations through social media. Its 20 knowledge-sharing partners included Royal Society of Chemistry, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Centre for Construction Innovation, Chemicals Northwest and the universities of Manchester, Loughborough and Salford. The initiative was guided by a 30-strong panel of leaders in sustainable science, technology and design for the built environment.

Founding Director, Societás, London | Jun 2004 – Nov 2010

Founded in 2004 as a creative catalyst, London-based Societás comprised a multi award-winning sustainability innovation think tank, collaborative laboratory and strategic consultancy, which brought together world-class international creative and intellectual talent to co-create groundbreaking projects in and across design, media and the visual arts.

Co-Founding Director, Creative Graduate Prize, London | Jun 2004 - Dec 2010

The world's first online visual arts awards, Creative Graduate Prize kick-started the careers of talented emerging visual artists worldwide, bringing their work to the attention of international leaders in the creative industries. Categories spanned photography, painting, illustration, installation, short film and digital media. Supported by pioneering visual arts magazines, institutes, networks and galleries globally, the prize attracted entries and media coverage from several continents. Winners spread as far and wide as USA, China, UK and Europe.

Co-Founding Director, Iconique Societás Awards, London | Jan 2007 - Jul 2010

The world's first online fashion arts awards, co-founded by Melissa and Dutch creative director Joost van Gorsel, Iconique Societás Awards brought the global spotlight to the very best emerging international talent in fashion photography, illustration, and styling. A joint venture between top-10 fashion zine Iconique and Societás, the awards attracted entries from several continents and coverage in China, Japan, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, USA, Canada and Europe.

Marketing & Media Director, RClub, London | Mar 2003 - May 2004

RClub was the world's first online private members club and pioneered new developments in digital communications and marketing, as well as pop-up events and experiences which integrated mulitple tradtional and emerging concepts and media. Projects and activities directed by Melissa included the launch the club members' magazine, of which she was co-editor, and the creation of media partnerships, promotions, sponsorships, affiliations and events with leading luxury brands, and media and entertainment groups, including Jazz FM [Guardian Media Group]. She was creative director and senior event producer of several high profile events, including fashion shows integrating state-of-the-art audio-visual VJ and DJ sets and/or live performances for world-renown designers including tailor Mark Powell, milliner Louis Mariette, and lingerie brand Coco de Mer; and further events events including album launches and several fundraisers. Melissa was also one of the three principle directors of the world's longest-ever party, which lasting 29-days and comprised rolling events for up to 1,200 club members, celebrities, royalty, and press at a time, took place across leading luxury venues in the UK and Europe, and featured premier music and other live entertainment acts, with all profits donated to UK charities.

Client Relations Director, LondonLaunch, London | Oct 2001 – Mar 2003

Having joined first-to-market online event network LondonLaunch when it was just several weeks old to act as a consultant on its start-up operations, Melissa became Client Relations Director after 3 months. She created and implemented the strategy to diversify the company’s services into publishing, sponsorship and event production, brokered several media partnerships and organised a number of prestigious high profile networking events for industry leaders, including one dubbed the 'networking party of the year' by Events Specialist magazine, of which attendees included executives from FTSE 100 companies, and press and media including the BBC. Further responsibilities included editing the company's event industry handbook and its quarterly magazine, directing marketing and communications activity including designing trade show stands and promotional materials, and anchoring sponsorship and collaborations with leading national and international event suppliers and venues.

Head of Business Development, Think Pod, London | Mar 2001 – Oct 2001

Think Pod was a cutting edge London design studio specialising in design for print, new media and packaging, which was in operation between 2001 and 2003. Melissa joined the young company to implement its start-up strategy. Her role involved organising the company launch party and press, writing/editing all company marketing/sales materials, client liaison and online marketing.

Non-Executive & Board Advisory

From 2004 onwards, Non-Executive Director and Board Level Advisor to several pioneering start-ups working in sectors including sustainability, social enterprise, digital, communications, media, events, the arts, and gender equality and empowerment. Activities inc. advisories on research and development; writing and revising business plans; internal and external communications, including branding, corporate identity, press and marketing; corporate governance, intellectual property, due diligence, and business ethics; industry collaborations, partnerships, strategic alliances and affiliations; sponsorship and funding strategy; founder/board mentoring; as well as brand ambassadorship and senior press and media liaison.

Not for Profit

Board advisor to first-in-kind philanthropic bookings platform CharitableBookings.com, London, 2015 - present; Contributing author to the 'Postcards from Tomorrow' fundraising book for Sydney-based women's charity Lou's Place, 2019 - 2020; Committee Member of the Take Heart India annual fundraising ball held at The Roof Gardens, London, 2005 – 2012; Board advisor to the world's largest-ever private fundraising party, The Global Party, launched at the Natural History Museum, London, 2011; Non-Executive Director at fashion movement Anti Apathy, London, 2009 – 2010; Steering Group Member of WWF's 'Awakenings' climate change communications think tank, London, 2007 – 2009; Head of PR, Sponsorship, Brand Affiliations & Fashion Show Production for the ICAP/Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Annual Fundraising Dinner & Temperley London show held at the Puck Building, New York, 2007; Head of Sponsorship, PR & Artist Liaison for The Big Issue’s 15th Anniversary Concert held at the Shepherd's Bush Pavilion, London 2006; Head of Sponsorship for Zandra Rhodes' My Favourite Dress Ball fundraiser in aid of the Fashion & Textile Museum held at the Hurlingham Club, London 2005; Event director to millinery couturier Louis Mariette's fundraising catwalk show in association with the Renaissance Club in aid of Elton John's Aids Foundation held at The Roof Gardens, London, 2003; Head of Sponsorship & After Show Party Production for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Rock Concert, Royal Opera House, London 2002, which was the first ever rock concert to be held at the venue.

Early Career

Freelance Digital and Marketing Consultant, London | 1999 – 2001

Advisor to first-to-market digital start-ups, including online style and arts magazines and e-tailers. She also worked as an executive headhunter on behalf of leading international digital agencies and dotcoms, specialising in senior and board level creatives for the digital and mobile sector, and undertook freelance research contracts working with the marketing and information technology departments of national and multi-national PLCs in sectors including telecommunications, finance and retail.

Fashion Designer & Fashion Buyer, London | 1996 – 1999

On graduation launched her own womenswear label, designing bi-annual collections, pattern cutting, managing sample collection production, organising fashion shows, liaising with press and media, designing and distributing all marketing and merchandising materials, as well as designing and managing production of fashion ranges for third party suppliers. Showed collections at Alternative Fashion Week in Spitalfields Market and at the Islington Design Centre, London. Spent 18 months working on the women’s sportswear buying team for a major high street retailer, working with brands including Calvin Klein, Farah, Kangol, Quicksilver, Levis and Wrangler. While practising as a fashion designer and buyer, visited an extensive number of international fashion exhibitions, expos and shows including London Fashion Week and the VH-1 Fashion Awards in New York, while advancing her education as a graduate member of the Chartered Society of Designers and of the Textile Institute. Upon graduation completed a series of short and professional courses in subjects including tailoring and couture at institutions including the Liberty Sewing School.

Work Experience, UK/South Africa | 1988 - 1996

While an undergraduate, Melissa gained work experience with brands including Gul Wetsuits, Cornwall – where she assisted on couture collection samples in sport fabrics including neoprene for Hussein Chalayan and Karl Lagerfeld. She was also one of a select number of students invited to work on a design brief for Courtaulds for Marks and Spencer, in collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University textile design students. Further work experience included spending 3 months in Cape Town, where she worked with a handful of South Africa's premier fashion designers and a leading retailer; and spending a summer working as an assistant to the directors of the laser research department at Rutherford Appleton Laboratories [RAL] in Oxfordshire. Prior to commencing her undergraduate degree Melissa held several part-time and freelance jobs working for early Internet & technology start-ups.

Education & Academia

PhD, School of Architecture & Landscape, University of Greenwich | 2011 - 2018

Designed and completed a transdisciplinary doctorate programme developing 'Panarchistic Architecture': a new paradigm in resilience to major wildfires through the creation of complex adaptive architectural and urban systems that mimic the biochemistry, behaviours, and relationships of indigenous flora and fauna species in the low, mixed, and high-severity fire regimes of the western U.S. Supervised by Prof. Neil Spiller at the Advanced Virtual and Technological Architecture Research [AVATAR] group, with viva passed in 2018, the programme built on research into the potentialities of biomimetic architectural systems initiated at the School of the Built Environment [SOBE], University of Salford, 2010 - 2011. Follow on research and publishing works are shared through the Panarchic Codex project.

PGCert with Commendation in Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Specialisms: Intellectual Property Law, Business Administration, Start-up and SME Finance and Accounting, Branding, Marketing, and Communications. Business School, Kingston University London, 2009

BA (Hons) 2:1 Design Practice with Commendation for final year thesis. Specialisms: Fashion Forecasting, Design, Illustration, Production, Communications, Global Markets, and Interdisciplinary Practice. School of Art & Design, University of Salford, 1993 - 1996

BTEC Foundation in Art & Design. Specialisms: Fashion, Textiles, Sculpture, Illustration, and Digital Design. School of Art & Design, Cheltenham & Gloucestershire College of Higher Education, 1993.

A' Levels: Art & Design; History of Art [Italian Renaissance]; Fashion & Textiles, Gloucestershire College of Arts & Technology, 1992

GCSEs: Design, Biology, History, Geography, Art & Design, English Language, Literature, Mathematics, French, Cheltenham Bournside School, 1989

Further training [1996 - 1998] in subjects including Economics, Financial Markets, and Investing [orgs inc. Open University]; Tailoring and Couture [orgs inc. Liberty Sewing School], amongst others.

Visiting Fellow/Lecturer/Critic/Examiner/Thesis Supervisor | Mar 2003 - Present

Guest Lecturer, Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London (2023 - present); Guest Lecturer, University of Greenwich (2021 - present); Guest Critic and External Examiner at The Synthetic Landscape Lab at Innsbruck University (2020 - present); Visiting Lecturer at the London College of Communications, University of the Arts London (2016 - present); Visiting Lecturer and Guest Critic at The Bartlett School of Architecture at UCL (2014 - present); Visiting Lecturer at the Royal College of Art (2016); Visiting Lecturer and Masters Dissertation Supervisor at Ravensbourne (2014); Visiting Lecturer at the Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture & Building at Coventry University (2014); Visiting Lecturer at the School of Engineering at University of Warwick (2014), Visiting Lecturer at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (2012); Visiting Lecturer at the School of the Built Environment, University of Salford (2011); Guest Critic at the Unknown Fields Division at the AA School of Architecture, London (2011 - 2012); Visiting Fellow at the School of Art & Design at University of Salford (Oct 2009 - Oct 2011); Assembly Member at the University of Salford (Apr 2009 - Apr 2012); and Visiting Lecturer / Course Leader in Brand Identity and Communications at the School of Fashion and Design, American Intercontinental University, London (Mar 2003 - Oct 2007).

Professors without Borders / Lecturers Without Borders | 2021 - present

Guest Professor with Professors without Borders [Prowibo online] Engineering and Sciences programme and Guest Scientist with Lecturers without Borders, both of which have been created to help fill knowledge gaps by providing global access to world-class academics.

​Speaking & Chairing

Keynote Speaker, Panel Chair, Workshop Host | Mar 2003 – Present

Contributed as a keynote speaker, panelist, chair, moderator, presenter, host and facilitator to more than 100 leading international conferences, seminars, festivals, awards ceremonies, and product launches. Select past clients include: World Bank, Unilever, Toyota Motors Europe, Hershey's, Aegis Media, Methven, Interface, Accenture, Mckinsey, Deloitte, Rathbones, NSG Group, EEEGR, Schneider Electric, Balfour Beatty, Grosvenor, Sheppard Robson, SUEZ group, GLP UK, va-Q-tec, Akin Gump, Fladgate, Ministry of Defence, Chartered Institute of Building, Canadian Institute of Planning, NESTA, Longitude Prize, Knowledge Transfer Network, Scottish Enterprise; New Engineering Foundation: the Innovation Institute, A20 Technologies, Lux Magazine, TEDx, Manchester International Festival, London Design Festival, Clerkenwell Design Week, London Design Biennale, Wilderness Festival, BioChanges, Design Council, ADAPTr BioSalon, WILD: ReNaturing the City; FAB conclave; IKEA's research laboratory, Space10; V&A Museum, 5x15, The Monument, Connected Places Catapult, Festival of the Future City, LuxExpo Home Expo, BioEngineering Congress, Architecture Conference & Expo, Science Museum [London], International Conference of Bionic Engineering, European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals, Vision London, Bathroom Manufacturers Association, Hay Festival, Edinburgh International Science Festival, Sherborne Girls, University College of Estate Management, University of Cambridge (Festival of Ideas), University of Oxford (Climate Forum), University of Plymouth, The Woman Leadership Conference, and the City of Greater Dandenong.

Writing & Commentary

Writer, Editor, Media Commentator, Figurehead, Presenter | Jan 2002 – Present
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Published in 60+ international scientific, industry and consumer titles, with coverage in a further 450+ more. Recent works include authoring a chapter on building resilience to wildfire for forthcoming title, ‘Routledge Companion to Smart Design Thinking in Architecture and Urbanism for a Sustainable Living Planet’, and contributing author to a forthcoming title being published by Hachette, both in print in 2024.

Past assignments include contributing to the easyJet’s ‘2070: The future of travel’ report [2023]; to Springwise’s ‘Future 2043’ report [2023]; to the second edition of ‘Don’t Get a Job, Make a Job’, published by Quercus [2023]; author of the chapter 'Design for Wildfire: Architecture as Catalyst for Virtuous not Vicious Wildfire Activity' in The Routledge Companion to Ecological Design Thinking [2022]; presenter of 'Leonardo's City' in the BBC Radio 4 series 'The Five Faces of Leonardo' [2019]; consultant futurologist and media figurehead for the "Tech to the Future" report for CW Jobs [2019]; being a "Beautiful Thinker" [media figurehead] for Interface's global 'Beautiful Thinking' campaign, including participation in print and digital media, an exhibition and events at their London and Manchester HQs [2016]; author of 'Biomimetics: Learning from Life', a chapter in McGraw Hill Publishing title the 'Global Innovation Science Handbook' [2014], which received an Honourable Mention in The Prose Awards 2015; consultant futurist and media figurehead for The Sleep Council's 'Bedroom of the Future', delivering insights on live-broadcast radio and in national news print' [2013]; feature writer and media figurehead for The Guardian's 'The Future Designed Around You' supplement, sponsored by Volvo [2012]; contributions to wide-ranging science, arts, trade, NGO, and consumer publications worldwide [see 'press' and 'publications']; interviews and commentary in podcasts, livestreams, and live and pre-recorded radio broadcasts for the World Bank, Startalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson, Sky, talkRADIO, CBC, and several regional BBC stations, among others.​ See further media credits at IMDb and select editorial and writing credits here.

Fiction, Film & Media

Author, Art Director, Producer | Jan 2011 - Present

Having worked with leading-edge digital and experimental media since the early 90s, produced her first mixed-media speculative futures project over two decades ago, and collaborated with concept, 3D motion graphics and visual effects artists and illustrators, music producers, and filmmakers to create several multimedia productions that explored future narratives, Melissa is well-versed in foresight storytelling methodologies old and new. In the early twenty teens Melissa co-founded a pioneering media production company that specialised in the creation of short films and content exploring leading-edge ideas in sustainable innovation in architecture, design, and engineering.

A finalist in the New Scientist / Arc Sci-Fi Film Science Competition [2014] and the New Scientist / Sci-Fi London Film Concept Competition [2016], that received an Honourable Mention in the 47th Millennium Writing Awards [2019] for her inaugural climate fiction story, Melissa also writes speculative fiction in formats including micro, flash, short, and novella for print, digital, audio, and short film. Her past cli-fi works include co-creating the Future in Flash™ series [est. 2019] to deliver scientifically-plausible climate fictions through mixed art mediums for social and other media platforms.

Most recently, Melissa has contributed to a pilot for a television series that explores the future of sustainable design, and to a documentary on the future of cities. She is currently advising on visual narratives, including symbolism and on storytelling traditions, for a network series in development.


Panels & Boards

  • Executive Advisory Board, Full Grown, 2022 - present

  • Scientific Committee, Bio-calibrated symposium, 2023

  • Curatorial committee, Plurality University, 2021

  • Juror, IDA/ePDA Covid-19 Design Innovation Grant, 2020

  • Advisory Board, The Woman, empowerment program, 2018

  • Juror, The Rookies International Awards, 2016 onwards

  • Advisory Board, CharitableBookings.com, 2015 - 2023

  • Advisory Board Lifeboat Foundation, 2013 onwards

  • Juror, International Design Awards, 2008 - 2020

  • Juror, Imagine London as a National Park City, 2017

  • Scientific Advisor, Biospheric IV, science & arts project, 2016

  • Honorary Committee, World Biomimetic Challenges (Barcelona), 2016

  • Juror, Architecture Conference & Expo Awards (Cluj Napoca), 2016

  • Advisor/Collaborator, Biodesign Workshop (Izmir), 2015 - 2016

  • Advisory Board, PopUp Forest (New York), 2015

  • Scientific Committee, International Bioengineering Congress, 2015

  • Juror, Sustain Magazine Awards, 2012 - 2013

  • Editorial Board member, City City magazine, 2012 - 2013

  • Editorial Board member, Sustain magazine, 2011 - 2013

  • Panelist, Guardian Sustainable Business, 2011 - 2013

  • Scientific Committee, Int' Bionic Engineering Conference, 2011

  • Juror, International Green Awards, 2010 - 2011

  • Juror, Sustained Awards, 2009 - 2010

  • Contributing Editor, Sustained magazine, 2008 - 2009

  • Juror, Tosoma Online Public Arts Project, 2008


Memberships & Fellowships

  • Chartered Scientist, Science Council [CSci], 2021 onwards
    ORCiD ID: 0000-0001-6190-5338

  • Fellow of the Institute of Science and Technology [FIScT], 2022 onwards

  • Fellow of the Design Research Society [FDRS], 2021 onwards

  • Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts [FRSA], 2008 - 2016 / 2022 onwards

  • Fellow of Unbox LABS, one of 15 UK researchers selected, 2014

  • Visiting Fellow, University of Salford, 2009 - 2011

  • Member of Chapter Zero, 2021 onwards

  • Member of Just One Giant Lab [JOGL], 2020 onwards

  • Member of the Union of Concerned Scientists, 2018 onwards

  • Member of the Aristotelian Society, 2017 onwards

  • Member of the Royal Institute of Philosophy, 2017 onwards

  • Member of the Int’ Society of BioUrbanism, 2014 onwards

  • Member of Int’ Society of Bionic Engineering, 2011 onwards

  • Member of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 2019 - 2022

  • Member of Sigma XI: Scientific Research Society, 2019 - 2020

  • Member of PSFK’s trends professional network, 2009 - 2016

  • Member of Association of Professional Futurists, 2012 - 2016

  • Member of Sustainable Design Network, 2009 - 2015

  • Member of Chartered Institute of Marketing, 2007 - 2010

  • Member of Chartered Institute of Public Relations, 2006 - 2010

  • Member of Institute of Directors, 2006 - 2009

  • Graduate Member, Chartered Society of Designers, 1996 - 1998

  • Graduate Member, Textile Institute, 1996 - 1998

Awards & Honours

  • ​Honourable Mention, Fiction, 47th Millennium Writing Awards, 2019

  • Finalist, New Scientist / Sci-Fi London Film Concept Competition, 2016

  • Listed in the Libertine 100, celebrating women with complex, beautiful & potentially world-changing ideas, 2015

  • Listed in the 40 Women to Watch Over 40, 2014

  • Finalist, New Scientist / Arc Sci-Fi Film Science Competition, 2014

  • Best Innovation-led British Start-up/Initiative, for New Frontiers, Great Exhibition 2012 Awards, 2010

  • International Award for Benefit to Society, Mensa Education and Research Foundation, 2010

  • Special Recognition Award for Exceptional Creativity, British Female Inventors & Innovators Network, 2009

  • Special Recognition Award for Capacity Building in the Innovation Sector, BFIIN, 2009

  • Global Organisation Award Finalist, for Societás, Global Women Inventors & Innovators Network, 2009

  • Inductee of the Global Women Inventors and Innovators Hall of Fame, GWIIN, 2009

  • Enterprising Business Awards Winner, for Societás, WestFocus Awards, 2009

  • Everywoman Network Awards Finalist, for Societás, Everywoman, 2009

  • Listed in Future 100: Top 100 Next Generation Entrepreneurs, Global Entrepreneurship Week, 2008

Interests

Making images and noise in the studio, lab, and field; visual and audio arts, and design; creative writing and storytelling across traditional and emerging mediums; studying ancient civilisations, belief systems, anthropology, and philosophy; history and theory of art, design and architecture; natural history, Earth sciences and the outdoors; sports inc. - marine [inc. PADI OW qualified scuba diver], winter, equestrian, and martial arts and combat sports [inc. freestyle kickboxing 1st Dan Blackbelt and CMAA Blackbelt listed, and further training and belts in mixed style martial arts, wadō-ryū karate, cobra kung fu, tai chi, boxing, and fencing], among others. ​Both under her own name and pseudonyms, Melissa has co-created and collaborated in numerous experimental arts activities throughout her career, with examples including vocalist in music projects across genres including contemporary folk and electronic dance [90s - 00s]; authoring a cartoon series [00s]; and being a muse, model, confidant and advisor to friends from across the creative fields including long-standing collaborator, couture milliner Louis Mariette.