Mel Taylor is a Senior Knowledge Exchange Officer in the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. In this role, she works closely with BNHRC researchers and government end users to facilitate co-designed research that responds to the recommendations of the 2020 NSW Bushfire Inquiry and the 2022 Flood Inquiry.

Mel has a PhD in applied psychology and has been a Chartered Occupational Psychologist (UK) for most of her career. Prior to her current position, she was an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology at Macquarie University.

Mel has been working in multidisciplinary natural hazards-related research in academia since 2007. In recent years, Mel has seen her own research successfully translated into national guidance documents and public safety messaging. She appreciates the challenges and opportunities involved in utilising research and the value of decision-ready science.