Dr Paul Meller is Associate Director of Programmes at the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), responsible for the Council’s investments in the creative industries, design and infrastructure, including the Creative Industries Cluster Programme and the Creative China programme.

Paul joined the AHRC in 2017 as Strategic Lead for Creative Arts and Digital Humanities, a role that included oversight of AHRC’s design, digital and creative economy portfolios. Before joining the AHRC, Paul worked at the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as the Head of Strategy, responsible for strategic planning and governance, and as Head of Data and Resources, overseeing the ESRC’s investment in data infrastructure.

Whilst working at the Research Councils, Paul also spent time on secondment to the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (now the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) where he advised on postgraduate policy and strategy. Paul holds a doctorate in history from Durham University.