My research is inspired by the need to advance understanding and develop more conducive ways of supporting and acknowledging the role of shared community practice in sustainable place-making. My research explores collaborative forms of environmental action and care, with a particular focus on place-based practice, situated knowledge and more-than-human relations. This includes, for example, exploring how differing ways of knowing, understanding and 'doing' environmental care are brought together through place-based initiatives, and the role of shared practice and situated knowledge in supporting meaningful and flourishing relationships between people and the natural environment.

Prior to joining CAWR Alex was a Research Fellow at the Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, and previously, a senior research associate/ research manager at the ESRC Centre for Business Relationships, Accountability, Sustainability and Society (BRASS). Originally a human geographer by training, her constant involvement since 2005, in inter- multi- and transdisciplinary research practice, sees her identifying more closely these days with the broader field of (social) sustainability science.

Alex specialises in qualitative research techniques, with much of her work informed by a participatory action research approach to study design. She is experienced in researching community-based sustainable place making both within the UK and internationally. This includes, for example, on-going collaboration with colleagues from Colombia, Brazil, Canada, China and mainland Europe. For the period 2011-2015 she was a co-editor of the international Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning (Taylor and Francis) and currently serves as a Board Member of the International Sustainable Development Research Society (ISDRS)

External funding sources supporting Alex's research to date have included the European Commission, UK Economic and Social Research Council, Welsh Government, Canal and Rivers Trust, The Law Society (Wales), Sustrans and the Forestry Commission. She has also previously received funding to participate in international visiting research scholarships in Finland (Ruralia, University of Helsinki) and Hungary (Hungary Academy of Sciences, Budapest).

Since 2018 Alex has been involved, as coordinator (together with partner institutions from five other European countries), of a Marie Skłodowska-Curie–Innovative Training Network, entitled ‘RECOMS’ (2018-2022). Funded by the European Commission, the purpose of RECOMS is to train 15 Early Stage Research (ESR) Fellows in innovative, transdisciplinary and transformative approaches to promoting and facilitating resourceful and resilient community environmental practice. For further information please see:http://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-directories/current-projects/2017/recoms/