Profile

Alexandra Davey
CV
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My Work:
My role involves targeting science activities at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to solve important global issues, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, and communicating our science to the public and politicians.
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About Me:
Ex-globetrotting botanist, now Science Policy and Impact Officer at RBGE
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Read more
I live in sunny East Lothian with my husband, two daughters and three greedy guinea pigs. I love my garden – for growing things, watching wildlife and just sitting in. I also write and practice pilates. I am passionate about preventing climate change and addressing inequality, locally, nationally and internationally. I love a G&T and a good Thai curry.
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My Work:
My role involves targeting science activities at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to solve important global issues, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, and communicating our science to the public and politicians.
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Read more
I’ve done a range of activities in my life as a plant scientist. I started out doing a PhD in plant systematics–working out the relationships of a group of species from central Africa.
I then spent a year running a biodiversity surveying programme in Cambodia, and few years based in Edinburgh project managing Darwin Initiative capacity-building and forest inventory projects in the Republic of Congo.
After that I moved into palynology–the study of pollen. I used pollen from the present to study the relationships between plants and how their reproductive structures might have evolved in response to evolutionary events. I also used fossilized pollen from sediment cores dating back tens of thousands of years to reconstruct past vegetation communities and climates in the Mountains of Southwest China biodiversity hotspot.
I have also worked part-time as a freelance writer and science communicator.
Since having a family and settling down (!) I have moved into more of a desk-based strategic role, aiming to target RBGE’s science activities at national and global priorities, and communicate the impacts of our science to audiences ranging from the general public to politicians. I am also responsible for our research ethics policy. It’s a varied and fascinating role!
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
researcher-turned strategist and communicator
What or who inspired you to follow your career?
My PhD supervisor - the coolest guy in plant science
What was your favourite subject at school?
Environmental science
What did you want to be after you left school?
A tree-surgeon or a vet
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes - for putting rude jokes in my English homework
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Gardening
Who is your favourite singer or band?
The Killers
What's your favourite food?
Chips with lots of salt and vinegar
What is the most fun thing you've done?
Travelling
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
More time; more sleep; and a pet dog
Tell us a joke.
What did one snowman say to the other? Can you smell carrots?!
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