My research is inspired by the need to advance understanding and develop more conducive ways of supporting both individual and collective forms of care practice in the context of nature-society relations, sustainable living and sustainable place-making. My research explores collaborative and relational forms of environmental action and care, with a particular focus on situated know-how and more-than-human relations. This includes, for example, exploring at both micro and macro scales: how differing ways of knowing, understanding and practicing environmental care are brought together through place-based initiatives; and, how to improve societal 'response-ability' towards the causes and challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.

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 co-creative and transdisciplinary research approach. She is experienced in researching nature-society relations and sustainable place-making both within the UK and internationally. This includes, for example, on-going collaboration with colleagues from Colombia, China and multiple countries in 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 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).

Together with colleagues at Martin-Luther University (Germany) and UNEP-WCMC (UK), Alex is currently (2022-2025) co-coordinating PLANET4B - a Horizon Europe Research & Innovation project exploring biodiversity decision making from a starting point of plural knowledges, intersectionality and behaviour change. For further information please see: https://planet4b.eu/

Another example of a large research grant coordinated by Alex is RECOMS, a recently completed Marie Skłodowska-Curie–Innovative Training Network (2018-2022). Funded by the European Commission, the purpose of RECOMS was 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: https://recoms.eu/