about
Currently based in Seattle and New York, Melissa is pursuing a bi-coastal life in cultural research, social media, and design. She was born in Kano, Nigeria, but was raised in Seattle where she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Comparative History of Ideas from the University of Washington.
She recently finished her master’s degree in Cultural Studies at the University of Edinburgh where she researched the branding of teaching English in South Korea for her dissertation. Her research interests include the city, memory, identity, and branding.
Not just a researcher, Melissa is also a cultural producer of many stripes. Melissa has done everything from concert planning to teaching English to blogging and podcasting. She loves urban travel, good design, and mochi ice cream.