ABOUT

Alex is a distinguished comparative animal psychologist and National Geographic Explorer, renowned for her groundbreaking research in animal behaviour and psychology.

Her expertise spans a wide array of species, from cephalopods and corvids to crocodiles, fish, and elephants, with a particular focus on marine life.


Research

Through her research, Alex sheds light on the intricacies of animal cognition, fostering empathy and compassion that drive efforts to protect diverse species and their delicate ecosystems.

Alex’s career has led her to work with prestigious institutions like the University of Cambridge, the Marine Biological Laboratory, and Macquarie University. As the lead storyteller and producer of Secrets of the Octopus, Alex merges her scientific insight with a talent for crafting engaging narratives. Her diverse media collaborations include projects with the BBC Natural History Unit, Wild Space (for Netflix), and National Geographic (for Disney+). With a wealth of experience both behind the scenes and on screen, Alex has participated in over 100 media engagements, ranging from live TV and radio to podcasts and published articles.


Early life and career

Alex grew up on the coast of Sydney, Australia, and spent most of her time by the beach, swimming, exploring, and discovering. By the age of five, Alex’s immense fascination with the ocean had already been cultivated. Since then, everything in Alex’s life has revolved around her love for nature and a passion for wildlife. Her desire for exploration and love of learning led her to complete a Bachelor of Marine Science at the University of Sydney. However, Alex’s thirst for knowledge was far from quenched. After gaining experience as a dive master in Central America for several years, she felt compelled to return to her academic pursuits. Alex enrolled in a PhD program with the Marine Predator Research Group at Macquarie University, where she worked to unravel the mysteries of cuttlefish behaviour. Later, Alex shifted her focus at international institutions, such as the University of Cambridge, where she turned her attention to the cuttlefish mind rather than cuttlefish behaviour, and specialised as a comparative animal psychologist. 

Alex’s major accomplishments include collaborating with esteemed biological experts, delivering presentations at numerous events, and producing scientific and animal behaviour content for diverse audiences through wildlife documentaries, peer-reviewed publications and science magazines. She has also worked on evidential reports to help inform animal welfare legislation. Alex’s professional career has been dedicated to furthering our understanding of the remarkable behaviours of non-human animals. Alex’s desire to motivate and inspire others to appreciate and marvel at the incredible wonder of animal life on Earth is the underlying driver of this pursuit. Research shows that when people truly understand nature, they become intrinsically motivated to conserve it.