Melinda is an historian and archivist specialising in the development of archives management and its interface with public perceptions of heritage.

She completed her PhD at Royal Holloway, University of London. Her thesis ‘Conservatism and society: aspects of government policy 1924–1929’ drew closely on archival sources for government and political figures, leading to a longstanding interest in archival provision and the mechanisms through which archives survive and become part of public narratives and understanding of history.

After teaching posts at Royal Holloway and Brunel University, she joined The National Archives in 2002. While working in an archives-sector facing role, Melinda has pursued research into archive standards, the interplay of central archives agencies with local archive services, and measuring public impact for research and outreach services.

She is a member of the AHRC Peer Review College and was a member of the Quality Assurance Agency History Subject Benchmark Statement review group (2013–14) with particular reference to public history. Melinda is also an Honorary Teaching Fellow at the Centre for Archive and Information Studies at the University of Dundee, which includes supervision of MA dissertations. She is a member of the Institution for Apprenticeships T Level Panel developing a new post-16 qualification in Cultural Heritage and Visitor Attractions.

Melinda currently holds a Research Libraries UK-The National Archives Professional Fellowship (2018–19), exploring what archives can learn from the academic discipline of public history to inform audience development and demonstration of impact.