Professor Dr. Eileen Alexander

Biography

Eileen Alexander is a Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where she focuses on innovative qualitative research methods to investigate the lived experiences of individuals facing inequality and insecurity. Her research interests include the creative use of collaborative methodologies such as participant-generated network mapping and photography to enhance engagement and communication, particularly among vulnerable groups. Eileen's doctoral research, which culminated in a PhD in Social Policy in 2022, examined the dynamics of informal financial exchanges among low-income households in the UK. By conducting fifty structured interviews, she developed a typology of these exchanges, highlighting their significance within social networks. Eileen has been recognized for her teaching, receiving nominations for the LSE Student Union Teaching Award in 2017 and the LSE Class Teacher Award in 2022-23. Her current projects, funded by LSE's Research Impact Support Fund, explore community responses to the cost-of-living crisis in Hackney, which include collaborative photographic exhibitions showcasing local residents' perspectives.

Research Interests