CARCERAL HERITAGE RESEARCHER

Mel James (they/them/Mel) is a Heritage Conservationist in the USA.

- Education
- BA — History
MA — Education Development
- MA — Heritage Conservation
- PhD — Urban Planning, 2031

Mel is a recent graduate of the Masters of Heritage Conservation program at the University of Southern California (USC.)
They focus on researching management and adaptive reuse strategies of carceral heritage sites, primarily historic, decommissioned jails and short term detention facilities.
In Fall 2026 Mel began doctoral studies in Urban Planning and Development at USC.

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